When members of the Cherryland VFW Post 2780 Honor Guard finished serving their military duty, they were not done serving their fellow soldier.
The local Honor Guard was recognized for their diligent dedication to playing part in hundreds of funeral services for area veterans during a "USO” dinner dance sponsored by the Traverse City Senior Center and Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home this past Friday.
"The Honor Guard is always available, seven days a week, whenever and wherever you need them,” said Peg Jonkhoff of the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, who co-sponsored the dinner dance and recognition ceremony.
The 36 members of the Honor Guard are available 365 days a year for participation in the funeral services of area veterans, including providing a salute to their fallen comrade, presenting an American flag to the family, a rifle salute and the playing of taps.
"They have done as many as three services in one day,” said Tim Moeggenberg, certified funeral celebrant serving the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
"If your eye is dry. . .well, mine aren't,” Moeggenberg noted.
Honor Guard member, Floyd Long was in a unit that served military funeral services so he decided to continue participating when he joined the local group.
"I consider it a great honor to be part of a funeral,” said Long, who served in both the Army and Navy during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Fellow Honor Guard member Andy Lundberg sees participating in funeral services as a personal commitment.
"I lost a lot of good friends. This is one way of paying some of them back,” said Lundberg, a 26 year Navy veteran who served in South Pacific during World War II, Korea, the Bay of Pigs and Vietnam. Lundberg has been a member of the Honor Guard for more than 20 years.
Moeggenberg noted that "the members of this Honor Guard give more to the families they serve than we can possible thank them for.”