Angelwatcher,
I am sorry this has brought up such strong feelings from several people, that was not my intention.
Okay, I discussed this issue with VA personel that work daily with Veterans who are elderly and dieing where I live in Idaho.
This issue has absolutely nothing to do with desecration of the flag etc... If my previous posts sounded like that was my concern I apologize. I had just never heard of anything like this, so I questioned it.
There is nothing wrong with what they are asking you to do, however I don't quite understand why they are doing this. They CAN use a real American Flag unless it is just against their own policies, but an American flag this size would be very very expensive because VA will not provide it as far as I know. The funeral home they go to will contact VA to obtain the flag for the funeral as long as they know the person is a veteran. They contactd VA for me and made all of the arrangements.
I don't know want to get morbid, but the vet who has died will already by placed in a bag for transport. Arrangements have normally been premade as who will transport and where. I don't quite understand why they want something else to cover it.
After speaking to VA, I found a new program where I live that I will get involved with. They don't do anything for the veteran once he/she has passed for transport, however they give donated quilts to veterans who are in hospice that need one. For example chemo patients who are cold all of the time. These are given to the vets and upon their passing the family keeps them. I really like this program, I am going to finish a couple and take them to town for ill vets because at the present time they are out of quilts.
The VA office I spoke with has never heard of this kind of program, and they would prefer to give quilts to patients who are still living and can enjoy them.
If you have any questions I can answer about what I found, please PM me.