On Sept. 14, veterans, their family members and friends took part in the sixth annual coach bus tour of Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. The annual day trip is sponsored by the Glueckert Family of Glueckert Funeral Home in Arlington Heights.

With their service, veterans earn burial services and benefits at a national cemetery for themselves and their spouse. Many veterans are unaware of this benefit that can save thousands of dollars in burial service for families of veterans.

The trip began with a brief presentation from John Glueckert Jr. explaining the benefits veterans are eligible for and the importance of having a copy of veteran’s discharge papers, DD-214, always accessible. He also explained how to apply for a Presidential Memorial Certificate, how to be included in the Illinois History Project and the burial cost savings available to veterans when their burial takes place in a National Cemetery.

This annual trip and tour is part of the Glueckert Funeral Home’s ongoing efforts to “Honoring their Lives and Legacy,” a commitment to inform, educate and support veterans and their families.

This year, guests had the honor of providing military honors, rifle volley, a bugler playing taps and a committal service for a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who had been in the care of the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Volunteers from the bus tour acted as pallbearers for the unknown veteran. Matt Bennett, manager at Glueckert Funeral Home, led the committal service in a tribute to this man, whose identity was not known to any in attendance; but his service was celebrated and acknowledged by all.

The day continued with a guided tour from cemetery staff member Chris Hill, who provided a history of the 1,000-acre cemetery, and explained how National Shrine standards are followed for every service.

He shared that 15-28 casketed or columbarium (cremated remains) burials occur each day. Honorably discharged veterans have the option of receiving military honors from their branch of the service or the Volunteer Honor Squad.

The tour continued to sites including grave sites, shelters, columbarium and the beautifully manicured Memorial Walk. Guests were then invited to visit graves of family members, friends and fellow veterans. On the return commute, everyone enjoyed lunch as they watched the movie “Honor Flight.”

“Each year that we have the privilege to honor these men and women and offer them the important information about the benefits they have earned through their service to our country. It means a great deal to our family that these veterans receive the information, and even more important, the full measure of their earned benefits for their service,” said Jackie Glueckert, coordinator of the annual tour.

She added, “For John, Marcie and me to be a part of serving the veterans in our community is an honor and a great privilege for us. The Glueckert Family and our staff thank all of those who joined us this year and over the past six years on this tour. It continues to be a very moving day and a special day for all of us.”

Glueckert Funeral Home has served Arlington Heights and Northwest suburban Chicago since 1970. In their second generation of family ownership and operation, the funeral home offers a full range of funeral, cremation and memorial services.

For information, call (847) 253-0168 or visit www.glueckertfuneralhome.com

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