Class A at Military Funeral

[brentlp87]

My cousin passed away yesterday due to injuries received in a bombing of his convoy while patrolling in afghanistan. He fought a brave battle and hung on for two and a half months before succumbing to his injuries. My question is; Would it be appropriate for me to wear my class A uniform to his funeral service? I will check with the Chief of my department as well. Just wanted to see what others thought. Thanks. Be safe.

[CaptainGonzo]

Unless he served as a firefighter and the FD wishes to give him honors... no.

You in your class A's will detract from his funeral service.

[Chauffer6]

I disagree. Wearing your uniform to honor his service to our nation, so long as it is cleared with your dept, is a personal choice. There is no right or wrong. Many in attendance will be in uniform...one more will hardly detract from anything. He is a member of your family, it's not as if you're showing up at random military funerals in uniform.

May he rest in peace.

[ndvfdff33]

I have to agree with the above poster. Wearing his Class A's to a military funeral shouldn't be an issue. I am willing to bet that he isn't going to be the only person in a uniform so he isn't going to detract from anything. If this was just a normal Joe Blow's funeral I would definitely say no.

If it was the other way around, I'm sure his cousin would wear his military uniform.

[ChiefKN]

I would say no.

I really don't see the correlation between the departed and the fire department?

I would suggest wearing an American Flag pin in your lapel.

[Steamer]

If he wasn't connected to the fire service, then no.

[fyrmnk]

First off, very sorry for your and your family's loss. May your cousin RIP and not be forgotten for his sacrifice.

As far as the uniform issue, I guess I don't see a problem with it. Though I personally wouldn't, I wouldn't have a problem with someone doing it. We've worn ours to LEO funerals, not just our own City, but another City as well. Those aren't fire related but I feel those were appropriate.

I would go the Chief route first like you mentioned though.

[BLSboy]

What the difference between the military, the FD, the PD, and EMS? Not much. I have been to FD Funerals where military, and LEO personnel show up, in uniform, and pay their respects.
Go in your Class As. Show your respect, and gie him a hell of a send off. May he rest in peace.

[the24fireman]

When we do escorts for the soldiers making their final trip home we wear our class A's for the escort, but we don't attend the funeral itself. After the casket and family enter the chuch we return to the station.

I do not see a problem with wearing a class A for a military funeral, I believe that it is a good show of respect for someone who is representing the local department to pat their respects to the family and the fallen soldier. In your case since you are family member you should be their to support your relatives it would not be your place to represent the FD at the funeral .

I'm sorry for your loss, and pray that your family comes through this tough time ok.

[IDMarine156]

I am a current US Marine and volunteer. The fire service and military are very closely tied. Looking from the outside you can plainly see rank structure, chain of command, dedication to duty, putting your life on the line for people you have never met, and much much more. Looking deeper you can see that the fire service is basically a military of its own, with a seperate purpose, much like the coast guard.

Wearing your class A's is a sign of respect to a fallen brother who gave his life for the country. I would gladly give mine, in war or fire, to protect others. Im sure a lot of people feel the same. I would be honored to see a firefighter in class A's at my funeral. I say if your department doesn't have a problem with it, wear them.

[cozmosis]

Please accept my condolences to you & your family.

I imagine that you are like many firefighters and your service to the fire department is important to you. I'm sure you don't take the wear of your Class A lightly and you don't wear it for any ol' event. Thus, wearing your uniform to the funeral would be a symbol of high respect for your cousin and should not be discouraged by anyone. Wear your uniform!

[pescado29]

I agree that it should not be an issue if you wear your class-A uniform. It is an appropriate sign of respect for your cousin.

As former sailor I offer you, your family, and your cousin a traditional Navy send off and wish you all "Fair Winds and Following Seas." God bless your cousin for his service to our nation.

[NEOMike]

I agree, I'd wear the Class A's, just show's your respect, nothing negative about it. My condolences as well.

[Tiredoldman]

If you want to wear Class A's to a military funeral with military honors, then yes-please do so. This is from a a firefighter and a retired soldier, who has experinced the same thing you are going through. At my son's funeral, there were Class A uniforms from all types of the services, even the local PD and the FD.

You and your family have my heartfelt condolonces.

[FlyingRon]

The military would dress for a fire funeral in accord with their uniform guidelines for their own funerals. I see nothing wrong with reciprocation. You won't offend the military. I would be more concerned about the family, but if you think that they would appreciate another uniformed service there, then I would.

[RFRDxplorer]

Please accept my condolences to you & your family.

I imagine that you are like many firefighters and your service to the fire department is important to you. I'm sure you don't take the wear of your Class A lightly and you don't wear it for any ol' event. Thus, wearing your uniform to the funeral would be a symbol of high respect for your cousin and should not be discouraged by anyone. Wear your uniform!

I agree with the above poster.

Wear the uniform.

[Futureemt73193]

May your cousin RIP. I am so thankful for what he and many others have done. There should be no problem with you wearing you Class A's as far as I can see. I think it would whow respect. Go for it.

[len1582]

I also wish to offer my condolences.

Yes wear it. Firefighters are like soldiers on the home front. At many LODD funerals there are military people showing their respect in uniform. I feel it's the right thing to do.

[gunnyv]

As a Marine and a Firefighter, I say wear your Class As-provided it is allowed by Dept policy.

[DennisTheMenace]

As a Marine and a Firefighter, I say wear your Class As-provided it is allowed by Dept policy.
Ditto-and sorry for your loss.
Semper Fi,
Dennis

[jonnyirons2]

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.


Words do not do justice.

Do what you feel is right.

[03roushs1]

I see nothing wrong with wearing your uniform to the service. Do what ever you feel is right if it is allowed by policy. One thing I always ask myself is what would the deceased want you to wear.

[cdemarse]

When a Marine was killed in Iraq from the town I lived in we wore our class A's. We did some organization before hand with other departments and we all walked through at the same time. The family, soldiers, and guest were very appreciative. I see nothing wrong with wearing a class A. They gave their life and deserve the respect.

[JRFireman]

When a Marine was killed in Iraq from the town I lived in we wore our class A's. We did some organization before hand with other departments and we all walked through at the same time. The family, soldiers, and guest were very appreciative. I see nothing wrong with wearing a class A. They gave their life and deserve the respect.

I think the key idea here is that you say "we." I get the impression that it was a group of firefighters who went as firefighters. In this case it seems like he should be going as a family member, not as a firefighter. I personally would not wear the class A's.

I could see attending in a military uniform, although I'll admit I can't exactly give a concrete reason as to why I would consider a military uniform different than a fire uniform.

[ndvfdff33]

I think the key idea here is that you say "we." I get the impression that it was a group of firefighters who went as firefighters. In this case it seems like he should be going as a family member, not as a firefighter. I personally would not wear the class A's.

I could see attending in a military uniform, although I'll admit I can't exactly give a concrete reason as to why I would consider a military uniform different than a fire uniform.

It makes no difference if it is a group or just him. If he feels he should wear his Class A's and his dept allows it he should wear them. As I said before, if it was Reversed I am willing to bet his cousin would have worn his uniform.

P.S. There is no difference between a Military Dress Uniform and a Firefighter Class A, other than that military member probably has a few more medals or ribbons.

[cdemarse]

I think the key idea here is that you say "we." I get the impression that it was a group of firefighters who went as firefighters. In this case it seems like he should be going as a family member, not as a firefighter. I personally would not wear the class A's.

I could see attending in a military uniform, although I'll admit I can't exactly give a concrete reason as to why I would consider a military uniform different than a fire uniform.

That is correct there were quite a few firefighters there. I would have probably worn me uniform either way to represent respect shown from our department

[RspctFrmCalgary]

OK, well after following this thread since the beginning and thinking more and more about it for some time now, I've finally decided to chime in.

Man, this is a tough one.

Basically, I think that if someone is a member of an organization that has "Dress" uniforms they should wear it to momentous occasions in their lives as a gesture of respect. Personally, I think it would be odd to see someone you know at such an occasion in civilian clothing instead of their dress uniform. Be it a sister's high school graduation, a funeral of a family member, family friend or anyone else, your best friend's wedding, Award ceremony, parade, public event or whatever (especially if you're an officer). I'm not saying that everyone making an appearance at the Women's Trade Show/wetdowns/Calgary Stampede Pancake Breakfasts/BBQs competitions type of thing should be in Dress uniform, but I think you all get my drift here. For example, as far as I recall, the Calgary Fire Departmentn "brass" were wearing their Dress uniforms at the annual Calgary Firefighters Toy Association's Christmas Party. I think for public events as I've described it would depend on your rank and your role in the activities whether you would wear your Dress uniform or work uniform.

I admit that as a civilian I'm not aware of all the rules and regulations involved in various agencies as to the appropriate attire to wear &/or the proper use of their/your official uniforms, but that is my take on it, whether you are a member of the RCMP or other law enforcement agency, Coast Guard, Fire Department, ship's officer (cruise ships, merchant marines, etc) or any branch of the military.

Definitely can see the conundrum.

[rcgregor]

If your department policy allows it,
WEAR IT WITH PRIDE!
Sorry to hear about your loss,
Semper Fi,
Rob
Marine Veteran, Currently USAF Guard,

[VinnieB]

Sorry to hear about your Loss.

Wear it! And make sure you wear it right. I lost a Marine 2 years ago in Iraq. His funeral was attended by thousands and some of which were local volunteers and a bunch of Paid men from all over New Jersey and a hand full from FDNY. They all wore their uniforms.