persons  may  honor  the  bride  in  a  similar  fashion. Enlisted members who do not bear arms can use hand salutes; those who bear arms can form an arch of rifles. The  tradition  of  the  wedding  arch  of  swords  or honors differs slightly among the different branches of the armed services. In all cases, to have an arch of swords or honors is the choice of the bride and groom. It is an obligation of the best man or the groom to select those who will take part in this presentation, as well as to  confirm  that  all  weapons  are  at  the  ceremony.  The senior usher is responsible for making certain that the ushers are adequately rehearsed in their roles in the honors ceremony as well as the religious rite. In the following paragraph, let’s take a look at a typical honors ceremony. After the religious rite, the senior usher forms all the ushers in two columns, and places them at the vestibule of  the  RMF,  facing  inboard.  As  the  newly  married couple advances near the RMF’s exit. . they pause. . the senior usher then declares, “Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you, [rank or rate] and Mrs. John Doe.” (Variations of this may be required if the bride, or both  bride  and  groom,  are  military...  whichever  is common, acceptable, or suitable.) The newly married couple passes through the portal, and the senior usher commands, “Draw swords.” On command, all ushers carry out only the first count of the movement, leaving their swords raised, with tips touching, to form an arch under which the couple passes. After the newlyweds have  passed,  the  senior  usher  commands,  “Return swords.” All ushers return their swords in unison. The senior usher then dismisses the ushers. As previously stated, this modest time-honored ritual  may  differ  among  the  different  branches  of  the armed services and can be altered to oblige enlisted persons. In all cases, however, only the bride and groom pass under the arch of swords or honors. NAVY MILITARY FUNERALS Our nation considers the burying of its military dead as a solemn and sacred obligation. As an RP, you will become involved in the planning and carrying out of military  funerals.  In  carrying  out  your  duties  for  this important tradition, you should keep the following two factors in mind: 1.  Military  honors  at  funerals  of  active  duty, retired, and former members of the Navy are conducted to honor the service that Navy men and women have given to their country. 2. Navy military funerals also assist the family of eligible persons during times of bereavement. As an RP, you must be especially aware of the customs, traditions, and honors surrounding the ritual of the military or Navy funeral. NAVAL TRADITION Past naval and military customs are the basis for honors at funerals. The customs and traditions of a military funeral include the following symbols: The  flag  covering  the  casket  symbolizes  the deceased member’s service in the Armed Forces of the United States. Taps are played to mark the beginning of the last, long sleep and to express hope and confidence in the final reveille to come. The three volleys tired are in respect for the deceased  member’s  service  to  his  or  her country. To imply that at death all persons are equal, the honorary pallbearers are placed in no order of rank. In the following paragraphs, we will take a look at some other traditions of the Navy military funeral. CEREMOMAL  GUARD The  Navy  has  specially  trained  ceremonial personnel or voluntary funeral honors personnel to perform  at  most  national  cemeteries.  Naval  activities make every effort to grant funeral honors. GUIDELINES Navy Military Funerals, NAVPERS 15555B, will provide you with detailed guidance on military funerals. This  publication  contains  guidelines  on  areas  with which  you  will  be  concerned,  such  as  planning, memorial services, pallbearers, and burial at sea of casketed or cremated remains. NAVPERS 15555B will also give you specific guidelines on the services for burial  of  persons  of  Protestant,  Catholic,  Jewish,  and Orthodox faiths. The section on Navy Military Funerals will provide you with details on the Casualty Assistance Calls  Program  and  the  Funeral  Honors  Support program. 1-7