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Dept. of Veteran
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Our Mission
"Boots on Graves"
"It is our national obligation to demonstrate the
country's gratitude to those who
in times of war and peace have faithfully defended our country."
(Department of Defense Report to Congress. Military Funeral Honors for
Veterans, section 567 of the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act
in Fiscal Year 1999.)
The
United States
Volunteers Joint Services Command (USV-JSC)
provides flag folders, the salute by a rifle squad, an honor guard and a
Chaplain. We are a "seamless" uniformed, dedicated, experienced, military force
who tries to meet the extensive requirements of burying our brothers and sisters
in arms. We put
"Boots on Graves" as was intended by Congress before this severe shortage of
uniformed men and women arose.
Our predecessors,
the
United States Volunteers, serve as our inspiration. They arose in a time of this
nation's seeking the American citizen resources as they existed and employing
them when and where needed. The US Volunteers were the strength of the US
Army during the Civil War and then again during the Spanish-American War.
The Honorable Theodore
Roosevelt, late Colonel of the 1st Volunteers, U.S. Cavalry was awarded
the Medal of Honor on
January 16, 2001
for his conspicuous gallantry during the
battle for San Juan Hill in 1898. Colonel Roosevelt, a member of the Rough
Riders, U.S. Volunteers, a true citizen soldier, inspired his men by his
example and fearlessness.
Today the USV-JSC carries on this tradition
of patriotism and volunteerism to meet the needs of our nation's veterans.
Background
The Department of Defense recognizes the importance of paying final
tribute on behalf of a grateful nation to honor comrades in arms. The
sacrifices of our nation's veterans deserve an appropriate level of recognition.
For many veterans and their families, military honors at a veteran's funeral are a
very important final tribute for those who have served the nation.
LT General Allen A. Baumann, National Commanding General of the
United States
Volunteers Joint Services Command recognized that only 10% of our veterans are
receiving proper military honors at graveside and he challenged retired military
men and women to make a difference by
organizing a national retired military and civilian force, including
retired military and civilian chaplains, with one mission in mind -- "Boots on Graves."
"There is dignity that...needs to be present for the family of the departed
military members when honors are rendered." Honorable Rudy de Leon, Under
Secretary of State (Nov. 17, 1998)
Learn more
about USV-JSC's Mission
Contact Information
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- Postal address
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USV-JSC
P.O. Box 15368
Long Beach, California 90815
Headquarters Email: National.HQ@usv-jsc.org
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- General Information:
Webmaster:
webmaster@usv-jsc.org
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