The firing detail comes to attention and fires three volleys. The uniformed soldier, provided by active-duty military personnel, plays “Taps”, the melody that signals the end of the fallen serviceman’s life and represents the final tribute from a grateful nation. This scene, as honoring and touching as it may be, could fade as a distant memory for us all.
The bugler can be routinely replaced with an electronic device in the absence of a real bugler. The firing detail, the Honor Guard volunteers, have not yet been replaced by technology. Yet, talk to the funeral directors. They will tell you. Honor guards are aging out or dying out. They do need replacements but with actual living veterans.
WWII veterans are scarce, and although probably willing, can barely stand and hold a rifle if they wanted to. Their average age is 94 years. The Korean war veteran’s average age is 88. The average living Vietnam war veteran is 71 years old. However, their average life span is 65 years, much lower than that of non-veterans. The Vietnam war veterans comprise most of our local Honor Guard. Now, more than ever, the pre and post 9/11 veterans are needed for their service.
Our call is to the younger veterans who will become the future Honor Guard. The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars are contacted by the local funeral homes for the Honor Guard duty. This is literally the last benefit for being a veteran. Veterans are entitled to this benefit. They are owed this final honor, by their fellow veterans and by their country. Who will join up once again?
Military veterans are asked to contact Commander Kenneth Arbuckle of American Legion Post #11 at 515-370-1755 or kennetha@netins.net or James Wasson of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9599 at 515-230-6793 or vfwpost9599@gmail.com so veterans can continue to be paid the final tribute.
