An announcement that the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii is discontinuing 21-gun salutes at veterans' funerals brought online anger last week. The announcement that Hawaiian air forces are changing their burial process for veterans brought online anger last week. But it turns out the policy is a change that was authorized implemented Air Force-wide in 2013.
Local Honolulu television station Khon 2 reported that the 15th Wing had decided to reduce the number of honor guards assigned to a funeral detail from seven to two airmen. That would mean veteran burials would no longer receive the three-volley firing often referred to as a 21-gun salute.
In 2013, the Air Force implemented a policy allowing bases to That change, however, is actually an Air Force policy that was implemented in 2013. Due to sequestration and budget constraints, the service cut funeral details for veterans from seven airmen to two. The change was due to sequestration and budget cuts. An American flag is will still to be folded and given to the family, and "Taps" is will still to be played, but there will be no saluting volley of gun fire is no longer required.
Airmen who die while on active duty are still entitled to a 20-person detail of six pall bearers, eight-person firing party, a bugler, four-person color guard and a detail officer or noncommissioned officer in charge.
"Historically, we always went a step further, providing a seven-member detail for [veteran] funeral honors," said Capt. Brooke Brzozowske, a spokeswoman for Air Force Headquarters. "While a seven minimum team is desired, a two minimum is required."
Pacific Air Forces referred inquiries to the 15th Wing, but noted that the unit was in compliance with Pentagon directives.
Indeed, when the Air Force changed funerary honors in 2013, it left the decision up to unit commanders on whether they could still support a full funeral detail. The 15th Wing was able to provide a seven-person detail longer than some other units until, it appears, the money ran out.
In 2013, then-Capt. Erika Yepsen told Air Force Times that tight budgets were at the heart of the decision.
"The Air Force will save more than $1 million in material and travel expenses [because of this decision] alone," Yepsen said. "Although we don't have an exact calculation for what we will be saving on military personnel expenses, we will realize a substantial savings."
Base commanders can still field a seven-person team for retirees if the honor guard members are available. If not, commanders may contact members from Veteran Service Organizations, other retirees or Reserve Officer Training Corps units, provided they are willing to "pay a statutory stipend" according to Air Force regulations.
Military veterans also may contact a VSO, other retirees or ROTC units to request an upgrade to a seven-member team.
