“Burial ceremonies for U.S. veterans seems like an unlikely target to come under fire by champions of political correctness, but they have.

In a phenomenal overreaction, the federal National Cemetery Administration has banned a burial ceremony reciting the meaning of each fold of the flag as it is presented to the grieving family – because of one complaint.  A meaningful part of the honor ceremony at U.S. military funerals and those of our veterans was stopped in its tracks by one family.

With Veterans Day next weekend, there is no better time to address this issue.

At any military funeral, the family has the option to leave out any part of the ceremony accorded to those who have served our nation in uniform.  The family’s wishes are always respected, as they should be.

The National Cemetery Administration has gone one step beyond, however, to take away a time-honored option from those families: the 13-fold recital.

Here it is:

1. Symbol of life.
2. Symbol of our belief in eternal life.
3. In honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
4. Represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
5. A tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
6. Represents where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.
7. A tribute to our armed forces.
8. A tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of duty, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mothers Day.
9. A tribute to womanhood.
10. A tribute to father.
11. In the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
12. In the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.
13. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

For all those who have chosen to make the 13-fold recital a part of their grave-side services, the meaning of this ritual should be clear.  I can also understand why some veterans might not want this ceremony conducted at their funeral.  But the right to exclude the 13-fold recital should not interfere with the right to include it.

I have shared my disgust over this decision with the head of the National Cemetery Administration.  Their purpose is to fulfill the wishes of the men and women who have dutifully served in uniform, protecting our lives and liberties at risk to their own.  By taking away a celebration of our country, our flag, and our veterans, they are not being true to this charter.

Some national veterans cemeteries are defying the federal order to deny this tribute to those who served.  They have my utmost support.”