KINGWOOD — In the days leading up to Memorial Day, one of the busiest organizations in Preston County is the Honor Guard — a group of volunteers that serves in all weather conditions and any time of the day without compensation. One of its varied duties is the task of providing military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
This year in honor of Memorial Day, the group held memorials at Mt. Mariah, Terra Alta, Sugar Valley, Pisgah, Cranesville, the Terra Alta Park, Stemple Ridge, the Masontown VFW, Mt. Zion Cemetery, the Herring Cemetery, Arthurdale Cemetery and the Mayfield Cemetery.
Each service included a traditional three-shot rifle volley, TAPS and a prayer for all those who have served, are now serving and those who are still missing in action.
A three-volley salute is comprised of three to seven rifles and is an honor presented at the funerals of those who have served, while a 21-gun salute is a customary courtesy presented to high-ranking officials and dignitaries such as presidents, foreign dignitaries, generals, admirals, and also during some holidays.
“As long as two comrades survive — so long will the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States render tribute to our heroic dead. On this day forever consecrated to our heroic dead, we are assembled once again to express sincere reverence. These graves represent the resting places of many departed comrades who served in all wars,” Sgt. Darrell Shaffer said. “Wherever the body of a comrade lies, there the ground is hallowed. Our presence here is a solemn commemoration of all these men and women — an expression of our tribute to their devotion to duty, to their courage and patriotism. By their services on land, on sea and in the air they have made us their debtors for the flag of our nation still flies over a land of free people.”
The Preston County Honor Guard is made up of individuals from all branches of service. The oldest member is 99-year-old Foster Huffman, a World War II veteran who has been a member of the group for 37 years. He joined the Navy in 1943 and served on an aircraft carrier during World War II from 1943-46.
Earlier, Shaffer said he has been a member of the Preston County Honor Guard since 2004. He said funerals are not the only thing the Honor Guard does. He said other services include dedicating flags, flagpoles and bridges.
He said the Honor Guard currently has about 22 members, and he would like to see other veterans join the group. Anyone interested in joining the Preston County Honor Guard can call him at 304-290-1101.
Bricks to be placed at the memorial on the courthouse lawn in Kingwood, can be ordered by sending a check to Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 977, P.O. Box 803, Masontown, WV 26542. Include the first, middle, last name, rank, branch of service and era of service — Vietnam, Civil War, Revolutionary, War, Korea, etc., of the veteran being honored. Include contact information with the check.
