[The following announcement was prepared by Frank R. Norwood, Maine Military Funeral Honors Coordinator for dissemination to veterans statewide]   VETERANS - The rendering of Military Funeral Honors for United States Armed Forces Veterans is a tribute that our Veterans and their families justly deserve and in fact, are now ENTITLED to.  The rendering of Military Funeral Honors is a way to show our Nation's deep gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our country. Section 578 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2000 requires the Department of Defense to provide, upon request, Military Funeral Honors for eligible Veterans. Since October 2004, the Maine Military Funeral Honor Program has performed nearly 1800 Military Funerals.   According to the Maine Veteran's Administration, Maine will lose nearly 4000 Veterans (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard) per year through the year 2010 with small decreases in that number through the year 2030.   Who is eligible to receive honors?  Any person (Active, National Guard or Reserve) who has completed at least one enlistment of military service and received an honorable discharge is eligible for Military Funeral Honors. How do I request Military Funeral Honors?  Family members of the deceased Veteran should notify the Funeral Director of their desire to have Military Funeral Honors rendered at the internment of their loved one.  Family members may also coordinate directly with the Maine Military Funeral Honors Coordinator, Frank Norwood at 1-800-958-5967.  Military Funeral Honors may be conducted any time...any place within the state of Maine." Mr. Frank R. Norwood Maine Military Funeral Honors Coordinator Office toll free:  1-800-958-5967 Office:  207-626-7822 DSN:  626-7822 Cell:  703-901-8531 FAX:  207-626-7804