Honoring Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death.   For eligible veterans that died on or after Nov. 1, 1990, VA may also provide a headstone or marker for graves that are already marked with a private headstone or marker. When the grave is already marked, applicants will have the option to apply for either a traditional headstone or marker, or a new device (available spring 2009).  

Flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.

When burial or memorialization is in a national cemetery, state veterans' cemetery, or military post/base cemetery, a headstone or marker will be ordered by the cemetery officials based on inscription information provided by the next of kin or authorized representative.

Spouses and dependents are not eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or marker unless they are buried in a national cemetery, state veteran's cemetery, or military post/base cemetery.

Note: There is no charge for the headstone or marker itself, however arrangements for placing it in a private cemetery are the applicant's responsibility and all setting fees are at private expense.

Important Notice - New Law Concerning Eligibility for Headstones and Markers

A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U. S. Armed Forces.  It is furnished to honor the memory of a veteran's military service to his or her country. VA will furnish a burial flag for memorialization for:

A veteran who served during wartime

A veteran who died on active duty after May 27, 1941

A veteran who served after January 31, 1955

A peacetime veteran who was discharged or released before June 27, 1950

Certain persons who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951

Certain former members of the Selected Reserves

Who Is Eligible to Receive the Burial Flag?

Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin, as a keepsake, after its use during the funeral service. When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the flag to a friend making request for it. For those VA national cemeteries with an Avenue of Flags, families of veterans buried in these national cemeteries may donate the burial flags of their loved ones to be flown on patriotic holidays.

How Can You Apply?

You may apply for the flag by completing VA Form 27-2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. You may get a flag at any VA regional office or U.S. Post Office. Generally, the funeral director will help you obtain the flag.

Can a Burial Flag Be Replaced?

The law allows us to issue one flag for a veteran's funeral. We cannot replace it if it is lost, destroyed, or stolen. However, some veterans' organizations or other community groups may be able to help you get another flag.

How Should the Burial Flag Be Displayed?

The proper way to display the flag depends upon whether the casket is open or closed. VA Form 27-2008 provides the correct method for displaying and folding the flag. The burial flag is not suitable for outside display because of its size and fabric. It is made of cotton and can easily be damaged by weather.

For More Information Call Toll-Free at 1-800-827-1000

The funerals of Soldiers, more than any other ceremony, have followed an old pattern as the living honor the brave dead.

Mission Statement

It is our goal to promote a positive public image by paying tribute to our fallen Veterans by assisting in the ceremonies and memorials, and laying them to rest with honor and dignity. We will accomplish this by the use of drill and ceremonies, custom and courtesies, and presenting ourselves in a neat and professional manner.

The Oregon Band of Brothers Honor Guard, Prineville Chapter, began in September 2012 with five members of the Band of Brothers, since then it has grown to over 25 members. The Honor Guard conducts Military Honor Funeral Details in support of all branches of the Military, to include the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. We are capable of conducting the Flag Folding and presentation to the Next of Kin, Taps with a live Bugler, a Rifle Salute, and we incorporate a Flag Line with service flags, as well as a Bag-piper. We offer our services free of charge and expect nothing in return but the honor of paying tribute to the fallen Veteran and their families.

Established 1914, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Auxiliary set out to serve the veterans of this country and our communities in honor of the sacrifices and commitment of every man and woman who has served in uniform. The VFW Auxiliary is one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ service organizations and our members are the relatives of those who have served in overseas combat. More than 475,000 members in nearly 3,900 Auxiliaries nationwide who volunteer millions of hours and fund raise millions of dollars for charitable projects that benefit veterans, military service personnel and their families.

Here are a few ways Auxiliary members across America serve veterans, active-duty service members and their families, and their communities:

Suicide Awareness: Saving Lives One Sign at at Time

Nickels for the Nursery

A Family of Firsts

Remembering Veterans with Flags of Honor

Aloha & Therapy: A Rehabilitative Scuba Trip

Sowing Seeds, Growing Goodwill

Auxiliaries Make Home Sweeter

Smiles for Veterans

Nebraska Group Sends Care Packages Half a World Away

Twin Missions: Sisters Support Veterans Together

These are the items that our Madras Chapter are involved in.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces.

We trace our roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves.

In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations that would eventually band together and become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. Today, membership stands at more than 1.6 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary.

Our voice was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, development of the national cemetery system, in the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, we won a long-fought victory with the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active duty service members, and members of the guard and reserves, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. We were the driving force behind the Veterans Access and Accountability Act of 2014, and continually fight for improved VA medical centers services for women veterans.

Besides helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service memorials, in 2005 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010. And in 2015, we became the first supporter of the National Desert Storm War Memorial which is planned for construction at our nation's capital.

We have many programs and services that work to support veterans, service members and their families, as well as communities worldwide.

Please check out the latest fact sheet or visit the Madras Oregon VFW Post 12141

No One Does More For Veterans.

Our Core Values:

Always put the interests of our members first

Treat donors as partners in our cause

Promote patriotism

Honor military service

Ensure the care of veterans and their families

Serve our communities

Promote a positive image of the VFW

Respect the diversity of veteran opinions

Our local VFW active in our community

Our Mission

To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans.

Our Vision

Ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country.

Chartered

Post 12141 was chartered in July of 2014 with 37 members We meet monthly on the first Wednesday of the month in the Jefferson County Senior Center at 7:00PM

What We Do

Assist veterans in need (assistance with VA claims, financial assistance, transportation, etc.) Work with the youth in our community to foster patriotism and Americanism through various youth and scholarship programs Participate and promote community events in support of our veterans

What We Have Accomplished

• Veterans Day Tribute to our veterans at the Erickson Aircraft Collection
• Assisted veterans in financial need
• Assisted veteran with household plumbing problems
• Transport veterans to the VA clinic in Bend
• Encouraged veterans filing claims with the Vetarans Administration
• Assisted a surviving spouse in publishing her WWII POW husband's book about his experience
• Removed a blown down tree from a local senior's house
• Build a shelter for veteran's electric scooter
• Collected funds to pay for an Honor Flight guardian's travel

Goals

To guide the participants across America. To educate future generations on the importance of accountability in wartime actions, emphasizing that no one should be left behind.

Run For The Wall is the Largest and Longest Organized Cross-Country Motorcycle Run of its kind in the World.

Register and Ride with us for as many days and miles as you’d like.

Join us at one of our overnight stops, on one of our Four Routes.

We travel from California to Washington, DC and from Washington, DC to Marseilles, Illinois every May with over 1,800+ participants annually.