A Memo from the Under Secty of Defense

This memo is directed to:
Asst. Secty of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Defense {RA}.dated Dec-6 2004
This memorandum establishes the daily stipend for participation in a military funeral honors detail by volunteers in Fiscal Year 2005.

Section 1491[d] of Title 10, United States Code, allows a daily stipend amount to be prescribed annually for certain individuals who volunteer to assist the active duty military in the delivery of funeral honors. The stipend will be at a single rate that is designed to defray the costs of transportation and other expenses incurred by volunteers who participate in a funeral honors detail. I establish the daily stipend amount under Section 1491[d][2] of Title 10, United States Code, for Fiscal Year 2005 at $50.00.

Secretaries of the Military Departments are asked to authorize stipend payments for retirees under Section 1491[d] of Title 10, United States Code in lieu of authorizing an allowance under Section 435[a]of Title 37,United States Code. Compensating retirees under Section 1491[d] and not under Section 435[a] will ensure a uniform payment to ALL volunteers who assist in the delivery of military funeral honors. Stipend payments under Section 1491[d] will not be reported as taxable income. Stipend payments for retirees should be paid from O&M funds.

This stipend amount is effective immediately.
memo signed by Charles S. Abell Principal Deputy


(Thanks to bugler Tom Ekrich for pointing out this post on the main website. I'll post more details as I am made aware of them - Rich)