News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Despite the pandemic, a local honor guard has found safe ways to honor fallen veterans.
Cookeville’s Veterans Honor Guard has postponed casket guards and escorting next of kin from their vehicle to the grave site. But Commander Jim McAfee said the guard has paid their respects at more than a dozen services since COVID-19 struck.
“We all understand the patriotism, we understand what a veteran should get,” McAfee said. “It’s our desire to provide these last rights for our fellow veterans and to honor them and their families. It makes a big difference for their families as we do this.”
The guard continues to preform taps, salutes, flag fold, rifle volleys, and fire casings. McAfee said the guard has 12 members, but about five have been preforming funeral duties.
McAfee said funeral homes have limited funerals to immediate family to reduce possible viral spreading.
“We don’t want to be, perhaps, a carrier to someone who would be infected and we don’t want to be infected by someone who might be a carrier. We do these safeguards in order to still honor our veterans and to honor their families,” McAfee said.
Four people can conduct a full service, McAfee added. Most funeral homes have requested graveside only services as a safety precaution.
