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"I venture to suggest that partiotism is not a short and frenzied
outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a
lifetime."
~ Adali Stevenson ~
History Of Taps
Folding The Flag
Color Guards
Of The Past
The three rifle volleys fired at a military funeral is often confused with a 21-gun salute.
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John Utter
Commander
Tom Fehrman
Chaplain
Dave Jones
Sgt.-At-Arms
Nelson Elliot
Bugler
Nelson Elliot is always there to help us. Between playing "Taps" for us and all the other veteran groups in the area
he attends more military funerals than the rest of us. He will always have our gratitude.
Due to occupation or illness, very few of us can attend events 100% of the time, but this is the group of gentlemen
that are called upon to fall in and stand in the hot sun, cold wind, snow and rain to preform Military Honors for our
departed comrades or any of the other ceremonies involving a Color Guard and Firing Squad.
Paul Moore
Bill Cutter
Donald Stano
Cris Morehead
Rick Vastine
Steve Krzynowek
George Niemeyer
Dave Rodgers
Ronald Stano
Ron Heffelmire
Gene Huntington
Kenny Cash
Bruce Fiscus
Jim Beach
Robert Buckhorst
Dave Lade
John Race
Ron Amm
Bob Goodpaster
Mike Holland
A Soldier Died Today
Originally Titled, "JUST A COMMON SOLDIER"
by A. Lawrence Vaincourt
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
and he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done.
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke.
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away
and the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
for he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
and the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state.
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
but the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land,
a guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?
A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.
It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand.
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
his home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin.
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part,
is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.
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