I started cataloguing and transcribing markers/cemeteries in the early 80's. I worked with my mom and my grandma on a project for the historical society. In the early 90's I started into genealogy and volunteering for RAOGK. I took a break from volunteering to raise my kids but now I'm back at it as a contributor here. While my account here is newer I'm not new to this.

Memorials in this virtual cemetery are meant to honor those who have passed away. As well as to leave a record of the person and their life for future generations so that they may connect with their past.

In Regards To Military Rank/Titles: I Follow Military Protocol.

When a person leaves military service, they resign their rank and they are not authorized to continue to use rank as part of their name. The use of one's former rank by non-retired military personnel is not prescribed usage by the Department of Defense. The use of rank as part of one's name is reserved for career 20-year retirees with the intention that their use of rank is for personal social use and is not for use in subsequent civilian work-related situations.

So Military Protocol is that after separation of service, i.e. someone who has served but chose to not make the military a career, ranks are not to be used with their name. If the person dies in service or retires from service, rank is included with their name.

If the person died in service or is retired military the other military information listed on their marker would be properly recorded in the inscription field. Which is for all other information on a marker that is not already recorded elsewhere on their memorial. If they served honorably but did not die in service or retire from the military their Rank is properly recorded with the other military information that is listed on their marker in the inscription field.

Veteran Designation: If the person was a veteran (ie: someone who honorably served in the military), then the veteran designation is appropriate and should be added. This applies across all countries and periods of time. This allows veterans to be easily searched for in Memorial Search, easily identified in cemetery memorial lists, and easily identified on their memorial. Refer to local customs or relevant military guidelines for specific guidance on veteran status. (Per Find A Grave)

While some managers feel they are honoring veterans be adding the prefix, veterans and most managers follow military protocol. Which means we are referring to local customs and military guidelines/protocols for proper guidance (per Find A Grave) for the accurate recording of the information. It is unlikely that an 85 year old person died in service as a PVT or that they retired after 20 years as a PVT. Military customs and courtesies for those who died while in military service or retired from military service to be addressed as their Rank, is just that a custom and courtesy. It is a custom and courtesy bestowed upon them because their service to their country is different.

I started cataloguing and transcribing markers/cemeteries in the early 80's. I worked with my mom and my grandma on a project for the historical society. In the early 90's I started into genealogy and volunteering for RAOGK. I took a break from volunteering to raise my kids but now I'm back at it as a contributor here. While my account here is newer I'm not new to this.

Memorials in this virtual cemetery are meant to honor those who have passed away. As well as to leave a record of the person and their life for future generations so that they may connect with their past.

In Regards To Military Rank/Titles: I Follow Military Protocol.

When a person leaves military service, they resign their rank and they are not authorized to continue to use rank as part of their name. The use of one's former rank by non-retired military personnel is not prescribed usage by the Department of Defense. The use of rank as part of one's name is reserved for career 20-year retirees with the intention that their use of rank is for personal social use and is not for use in subsequent civilian work-related situations.

So Military Protocol is that after separation of service, i.e. someone who has served but chose to not make the military a career, ranks are not to be used with their name. If the person dies in service or retires from service, rank is included with their name.

If the person died in service or is retired military the other military information listed on their marker would be properly recorded in the inscription field. Which is for all other information on a marker that is not already recorded elsewhere on their memorial. If they served honorably but did not die in service or retire from the military their Rank is properly recorded with the other military information that is listed on their marker in the inscription field.

Veteran Designation: If the person was a veteran (ie: someone who honorably served in the military), then the veteran designation is appropriate and should be added. This applies across all countries and periods of time. This allows veterans to be easily searched for in Memorial Search, easily identified in cemetery memorial lists, and easily identified on their memorial. Refer to local customs or relevant military guidelines for specific guidance on veteran status. (Per Find A Grave)

While some managers feel they are honoring veterans be adding the prefix, veterans and most managers follow military protocol. Which means we are referring to local customs and military guidelines/protocols for proper guidance (per Find A Grave) for the accurate recording of the information. It is unlikely that an 85 year old person died in service as a PVT or that they retired after 20 years as a PVT. Military customs and courtesies for those who died while in military service or retired from military service to be addressed as their Rank, is just that a custom and courtesy. It is a custom and courtesy bestowed upon them because their service to their country is different.