Local Vietnam Veteran and Career Military Man Laid to Rest at Arlington

By SCOTT TAYLOR

VFW Post 1075/District 11 Commander

At 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Harrison resident Kenneth “Ken” Spiegel was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery which is located at 1 Memorial Ave. in Arlington, Virginia. Ken’s personal request for Stacy Stocking had always been that when Ken’s time of passing had arrived, Stocking would promise that Ken’s final resting place would be in the Arlington National Cemetery. Stacy made that commitment and promise to Ken with this promise being fulfilled this past week. Stocking, as Ken’s friend, funeral director and President of the VFW Harrison Post 1075 Auxiliary, followed through and Ken was laid to rest on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. in Section #81/Plot #1499.

Stocking along with myself as VFW Post 1075/District 11 Commander; and Ray Lopez, Immediate Past State Commander for the Department of Michigan, had the honor of escorting and delivering Ken’s cremains to Arlington. After leaving Monday night and driving through the night, the honor detail arrived at Arlington National Cemetery Tuesday morning to meet with Ken’s family and loved ones for a graveside service. The graveside funeral service was officiated by Stocking with tributes and honors being presented by Ken’s family and the VFW.

Excerpts as previously noted in Ken’s obituary in November 2023:

Kenneth "Ken" Rodney Spiegel, age 79, of Harrison passed away peacefully on Friday, November 10, 2023. Kenneth was born February 8, 1944, in Adrian, Michigan, the son of Milton W. Spiegel Sr. and Bertha (Lane) Spiegel. Ken honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corps and United States Army from 1962 to 1991 and retired as Master Sergeant of the U.S. Army.

Ken had resided in Harrison for many years. He was a Life Member of the V.F.W. Harrison Post 1075, American Legion Post 404 of Harrison and Harrison Moose Lodge and Family Center #2235. Surviving Ken are his five children: Rick Spiegel of Essexville, Michigan; Steve Spiegel and wife Dawn of Everett, Washington; Wade Spiegel and wife Angie of Cornelius, Oregon; Holly Barnes and husband Zac of Lake Stevens, Washington; and Carrie Herman and husband Mike also of Lake Stevens; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, one sister, Barbara Prichard of Arizona; one brother, Milton F. Spiegel Jr. of Las Vegas, Nevada; plus many nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends.

Ken’s honorable combined service in the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army resulted in Ken being awarded the following Medals and Commendations throughout his dedicated combat and military service: Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation (USMC), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal w/2^nd Oak Leaf Cluster, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, United States Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (5^th Award), Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Medal First Class, USMC Combat Action Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Gold Recruiter Badge w/3 Sapphire Achievement Stars, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. As previously noted, Ken earned the rank of Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army and retired honorably.

Ken’s service to our nation earned him the honor of being buried in Arlington. The eligibility requirements below are a way of not only honoring Ken’s service and legacy, but also as a way for the members of our community to truly understand what it took for Ken to have been placed in the hallowed grounds of Arlington.

The request Ken had made for Stacy did not come without obstacles or hurdles. I had the privilege of watching as the passion Stacy has for his chosen profession showed through as he invested countless hours to ensure Ken’s request could be fulfilled.

Arlington National Cemetery's eligibility requirements for burial and inurnment are different from other national cemeteries that are maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility for in-ground burial at Arlington National Cemetery is the most stringent of all U.S. national cemeteries. However, most veterans who have at least one day of active service (other than for training) and an honorable discharge are eligible for above-ground inurnment.

Eligibility for interment at Arlington National Cemetery is verified at the time of need (time of death) and cannot be verified by the cemetery or accommodated before that time. Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations Part 553 (26 September 2016), Section 12, outlines which individuals who are eligible for interment (in-ground burial) at Arlington National Cemetery. For more information visit www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/#/.