So a long while ago (October of 2009 to be exact) when my Grandma was still living and helping me with my research, a question loomed in my mind about my Grandfather, William P. Bellew (b1917 d1975). He was a WWII vet, decorated for his time in the military and even a purple heart recipient. My question to her was "why was he not buried in Arlington?" So I asked and she replied that she was told he didn't qualify. The funeral home told her this, yet the obituary stated he was being buried in Arlington. I'm curious - would the funeral home do this to a grieving widow and if so, why? Do they not get their money if the military takes over the burial? This would be the only reason I can think of that they would do this to her, and more importantly HIM. He deserved to be buried in Arlington.
Here's my original
post on this subject - and here's a
post about his medals - which I had to fight to have replaced but was successful. I did some research back then, trying to find the qualifications on burial at Arlington and that information was readily available on their website, of course he qualified so again... why no burial there? The funeral home had long since closed up or was taken over by another and I couldn't get any information on that and I never pursued it with them or the military.
This week, while chatting with my Mom the subject came up again. I explained to her what grandma had told me way back all those years ago and she said that my brother (a veteran himself) is going to pursue some avenues to look into it. Aha yes! I am hopeful that we can get some answers!
