The Postal Service is reminding employees about a procedural change for the replenishment of flags distributed through the organization’s Burial Flag Program.
Through the program, all retail Post Offices serve as a burial flag repository in accordance with Retail Operations Handbook PO-209 and Administrative Support Manual 474.
Under the procedural change, which took effect in May, employees should use the eBuyPlus system to order U.S. flags for the program. Flags will be shipped from the Topeka, KS, Material Distribution Center (MDC).
Flags were previously replenished by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) upon receipt of a completed VA Form 27-2008 along with supplemental eligibility documentation provided by a deceased veteran’s family member or funeral director.
Employees should no longer contact VA to order these flags.
However, following the flag issuance, it is critical that employees complete current VA Form 27-2008 and mail it within three days to the following address, superseding form instructions:
Memorial Programs Service (41A1)
Department of Veterans Affairs
5109 Russell Rd
Quantico, VA 22134-3903
Flag issuance must not be delayed or refused because additional documentation — including discharge paperwork such as a DD Form 214 — is not available at the time of request, as long as the applicant signs VA Form 27-2008, certifying eligibility.
Orders for burial flags should be placed through eBuyPlus (NSN 8345-00-656-1432) and fulfilled by MDC in accordance with the 2020 Post Office Burial Flag Replenishment SOP.
For emergency burial flag requests, contact MDC at 800-332-0317 or MDC.CustomerService@usps.gov.
