We are losing World War II veterans at a rate of 1,500 to 1,800 a day, and there are just not enough military honor guards to provide proper military honors at their funerals.

Peachtree City VFW 9949 is helping out, but they are in need of more VFW members that would be interested in becoming a member of their honor guard.

The post is also in the process of setting up a training schedule for members of Peachtree City American Legion Post 50. So if you are a veteran and are interested you can either join the VFW or the American Legion Posts in PTC and become a member of their honor guards.

The VFW Post 9949 Honor Guard was trained by the Warner Robins Air Force Base Honor Guard. The VFW Post 9949 is certified by the Department of Defense to perform three-man burial honors which includes the playing of “Taps” and the folding and presentation of an American flag to the family of the deceased veteran.

If we had more members in the honor guard we could also receive training on providing a complete firing party for gun salutes.

As a member of the honor guard you will receive a very nice Department of Defense certificate signed by the Secretary of Defense designating that you are certified to perform three-man burial rites. In addition you receive a pin that signifies you are a member of DOD Certified Honor Guard. The honor guard also has their own uniforms.

If veterans in the PTC area are interested, please contact VFW 9949 Quartermaster Bob Konrad at 770-631-1439 or rjkonrad@juno.com or you may contact VFW 9949 Post Commander Lee McCoy at 678-423-1097 or realmccoy728@earthlink.net.

Lee McCoy, post commander

VFW Post 9949

Peachtree City, Ga.