The U.S. armed forces are not providing color guards to serve at funerals of deceased veterans during the pandemic, so two local groups are stepping up to honor those who served.
According to Amanda Lucas of Platt’s Funeral Home, many families of veterans have been surprised to learn that a military honor guard will not be present at their loved ones funeral.
“It’s really sad, because our veterans deserve a proper burial,” she says. “Between budget cuts and the pandemic, the military just doesn’t have the resources to be at every funeral.”
One group that has stepped up to help is the American Legion in North Augusta. Post Commander Kevin Joy says the group has participated in at least 80 funerals across Georgia and South Carolina in the past year. The American Legion has provided everything from two-man teams to present the flag all the way up to an 18-gun rifle volley.
“The families are so appreciative,” says Joy. “It just lets them know that their loved one has not been forgotten.”
Another group that has gotten national exposure for their work is the Patriot Guard, which is a 350,000 strong organization of motorcycle enthusiasts.
[adrotate banner=”19″]
Leon McLamb, who is the assistant state captain of the Southeast Region, says the group began going to funerals of veterans in 2004 to protect veterans’ families from the infamous Westboro Baptist Church. Westboro Baptist Church, which was known to protest LGBTQ rights at funerals of soldiers.
At those funerals, the Patriot Guard acted as a barrier between the grieving families and the protestors waving offensive signs with phrases such as, “Thank God for dead soldiers.”
The Patriot Guard outlasted Westboro Baptist and continues to provide a “rolling honor guard” for the funerals of veterans.
The rolling honor guard follows the funeral procession, and the members then stand outside the service proudly holding their American flags.
According to McLamb, the Patriot Guard has assisted in around 150 funerals over the past year and were present at seven funerals just in the past week.
“It keeps me busy,” McLamb says, “I’m a Vietnam veteran, and it is a pleasure for me to be there for the vets and their families.
Families wishing the services of either the American Legion or the Patriot Guard can ask through the funeral home handling the services, or they can make a direct request to the Patriot Guard by visiting their website at www.patriotguard.org.
Scott Hudson is the Editorial Page Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
[adrotate banner=”17″]
