Meng Works to Arrange Military Honors for Funeral of 71-Year-Old Killed in Elmhurst House Fire
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that she is working on securing military honors for the funeral of Martin Devereux, the 71-year-old who was killed in last week’s house fire in Elmhurst.
Yesterday, the victim’s cousin contacted Meng’s office to seek the honors saying that Devereux served in the Navy from 1963-1967 and that documents related to his service were likely destroyed in the fire.
Meng contacted the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Personnel Records Center yesterday to expeditiously obtain Devereux’s military service record and confirm his eligibility for full military honors.
Meng was successful in obtaining a copy of Devereux’s service record today and has sent it to the funeral director at Neufeld Funeral Home in Flushing, where Devereux’s funeral service is scheduled to take place on Thursday. The Congresswoman’s office also spoke with the funeral director and connected him to the Department of Defense’s Navy Honor Guard Office as only funeral directors can make the formal request for military honors. Devereux is set to be buried at Mount St. Mary Cemetery in Flushing following the funeral service. His siblings and relatives from across the country are flying to Queens to attend the funeral.
“The fire that took the life of Martin Devereux was a terrible tragedy,” said Meng. “He bravely served our country and deserves this military honor for his service. I’m just glad that I was able to get the process started and obtain the records in time for the request to be made. We stand ready to provide any other assistance that is needed.”
Military honors for funerals include an honor guard service and an American flag draped over the deceased’s coffin.
In addition to serving in the Navy from 1963-1967, Devereux served in the Naval Reserves from 1967-1969.
The fire broke out on Monday, March 21 at 42-28 Ithaca Street. A total of three people were killed; Devereux and two others.