JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - In rain, snow, freezing cold and sweltering heat, a group of Joplin veterans stands at attention at cemeteries throughout the region to ensure their comrades in the military get one final tribute for their service.
A new battle for these veterans - many older than 80 years old - is finding reinforcements who will step forward to make sure those honors can continue.
On June 21, seven of the group were at the Diamond Cemetery where six performed a rifle salute and Ken La Near, the bugler, played taps at the funeral of a Diamond man who was an Air Force veteran.
All members of the Robert S. Thurman American Legion Post 13, they are part of the Missouri Military Funeral Honors program, which joins with active duty military to honor the wishes of families that ask for military rites at the funerals of their relatives.
"They are indispensable; without them, the veteran wouldn't get full honors," said Maj. William Smith, retired from the Missouri National Guard and director of the state program.
-----
Most active post
When military graveside rites are requested, two active duty military - most often from the branch in which the deceased served - attend the service to remove the U.S. flag from the casket, fold it and present it to the family. Additional military rites, if the family wants them, are performed by honor guards made up of members of American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations in the region. Honor guards receive a stipend from the state and are tested each year on their performance, he added.
The Joplin Globe (http://bit.ly/28Vokwq ) reports that the honor guard from the Thurman post is among the most active - performing graveside rites 1,040 times since 1999, Williams said. The Joplin group's rifle corps and bugler honored veterans at 80 services last year, and 72 so far this year.
"It's been twice a week, for a lot of this year," said La Near, who, at 91, is the oldest member of the honor guard. "We're trying to get enough younger guys involved so the old group can relax a little. It's sad when you have to go with just three or four, because we like to fire seven rifles."
-----
Paying tribute
La Near joined the American Legion post in 1946, as soon as he concluded his World War II duties as a gunner on a B-17, often called the Flying Fortress. He later volunteered for the honor guard program and estimates he helped with graveside rites at more than 1,000 funerals.
"I'm a patriot and I want to honor those veterans who've gone before me. I know there's just a handful of us, but the least we can do for our veterans is give them a military funeral," he said.
Other World War II veterans who are part of the funeral detail are Fred Horst, 89, a Navy veteran in the amphibious corps; Herb Rawlins, 90, an Air Force veteran who was a pilot with the 23rd Fighter Group; and Walter Kane, 90, an Air Force veteran. Other members are Ralph Green, 83, a Navy veteran of the Korean War, and John Newberry, 84, an Army veteran.
Most are longtime members of the military honor guard.
"We do it because we need to pay tribute to our veterans," said Horst.
"I think family members appreciate it because it helps give them closure," Newberry added.
Pastor at Bethel Baptist Church and the post chaplain, Newberry joined the program four years ago. At the request of families, he said he also has stepped in to conduct funerals for some veterans.
"Families are appreciative, especially of the patriotism they show," said Randy Wilson, of Mason-Woodard Mortuary. "They also appreciate the dedication because they're out there in the rain and the cold - all kinds of weather - because they feel they owe it to their fallen comrades."
Tom Hamsher, administrator at Mount Hope Cemetery, agreed.
"It adds a special touch that veterans are participating in the funeral service of another veteran. It makes it very personal," Hamsher said. "A lot of times, vets tend to be forgotten, and it's one last touch that can be added to the family's remembrance - that this individual served their country."
-----
Dwindling ranks
When the group first was formed, La Near said members performed all elements of the graveside rites. For years, the team was lead by Howard Spiva, longtime post commander, who died in January at the age of 93.
"When he died we were lost, because he ran the show," Newberry said.
The new post commander is Warren Turner, who recruited Bob Tignor, both the newest members of the honor guard. Both were longtime members of the Missouri National Guard.
"Other than church, this is the most rewarding thing I do; I'm able to give back to this great country," Tignor said.
Turner said he got involved after Spiva died, noting his father had been a member of the Legion post. In past years, the post had sponsored summer baseball leagues, "which gave me a lot of opportunities," said Turner, now retired after years as head baseball coach at Missouri Southern State University.
"I knew all those guys, and after Howard died I thought maybe they could use some help. I went out and watched them, saw how dedicated they were and decided to join," he said. "I really enjoy being around them. And we're doing something for veterans that's meaningful for their families."
The group travels in a van given to it by the Bethel Baptist Church, where Newberry is pastor.
The Legion post has more than 130 registered members. But very few - mostly members involved in the honor guard - attend meetings.
When he first joined the post, La Near said, veterans from World War I still were active members.
"Gradually we replaced them, but there's very few coming up behind us. We can't carry the load forever," he said.
The post meets at Memorial Hall. The Legion headquarters at Fourth Street and Schifferdecker Avenue was sold because the post could no longer afford the insurance. Attendance at post meetings has dropped drastically in recent years.
Turner said he and others are working to attract more members.
"It's one of the oldest posts in the state," he said. "We'd like to have more veterans, and be more active."
___
Information from: The Joplin (Mo.) Globe, http://www.joplinglobe.com