"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote in message
nk.net...


Is the missing man formation a tradition for Presidential funerals at all?

No. The tradition in America dates back to 1938 (the RAF invented it for the
funeral of Manfred von Richtofen), but it did not become popular until the
1970s. Reagan is the first President to have died since then and requested
military honors. No doubt it will become a permanent tradition for those
Presidents that request it.

As Commander in Chief of all the armed forces the President is entitled to
honors from any branch of the military that he wishes.

Not all Presidents request a military funeral like Reagan's; in fact the
majority of them do not. Reagan felt that Presidents have a certain
ceremonial obligation to honor their office this way, even though in life he
was a rather private individual. He felt that the President has a role in
society that the individual serving in that office must honor despite
personal preferences. Some other living Presidents undoubtedly feel the same
way. Both Carter and the elder Bush likely feel that way about the dignity
of their office.

As for flying the missing man formation with the lead plane missing, it
would look odd and possibly be dangerous.