Submitted by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 649.

Since 1966 the Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team has been honoring local veterans with a final tribute to their life and military service and providing their families with a moment of unforgettable closure. Under the direction of Commander Kenneth Huber, the team of 21 veteran volunteers performed over 200 Military Rites funeral services in 2021. In the past ten years the team has performed over 1500 military funerals in the tri-state area. Through heat and cold, rain and snow, they carried out their mission with incredible confidence and military precision. The team needs 12 members at each funeral to properly perform full military honors. According to Huber, “the military honors are usually performed during a graveside service. The commander will say some words about the veteran’s service, and then the chaplain will give two prayers. Then we perform the flower ceremony, followed by a rifle volley. Our bugler plays Taps, we have the flag folding ceremony, and the flag is given to the next of kin.” When needed, the team has served as pallbearers.

“Our problem is numbers,” said Mark Brandon, member of the Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team. Unfortunately, our membership is dwindling as we get older. Being mainly comprised of retirees, several members have left the team for various reasons while a few others are recovering from medical issues.” Huber commented, “Because of the number of funerals we attend, it’s not viable to have all our members perform services at all the funerals. As retired veterans age , we need more veterans to step up and volunteer for the team. If we cannot attract new members, the service we offer will no longer be available.”

Families must request these services through their Funeral Directors at the time of making burial arrangements. Proof of military service, such as a DD-214, is required. The team does not charge deceased veterans’ families, and no team member receives any compensation for his or her services. While the services are free, the team does accept donations to help cover their expenses. It costs $500 to outfit each member with a uniform, including a raincoat and winter coat plus the cost of maintenance on equipment and the van to transport members of the team.

Huber said he’s gained a lot of friends through the team, and it’s given him a different look at life. “There’s a lot of comradeship because we share a common bond. At one point in our lives, we all got on the bus to boot camp to be trained to go to an unknown place,” said Huber. He added, “When we bury veterans, we all think about those veterans as young people going off to war. And then, there we are with the honor to stand and say our final farewells, and the families are so appreciative.” The thank you cards the team receives are a source of continuous inspiration. One card read, “I wish to express our deepest thanks and gratitude for the honors the VFW Honor Guard members provided for our father and WW II Airman. It was above and beyond our expectations and we were moved to tears by the entire service.” Another wrote, “Words cannot express how very much we treasured your memorial service for our father. Despite the freezing temperature, the presentation was unhurried, solemn, and lent dignity to our father.” And another, “We treasure the flag of the United States of America (That was presented to us) and the memories he shared with us of his service to our country.”

Huber commented, “When you hand that flag to the widow, widower, or family member, I think that is the most honorable thing you can do for a veteran. When the rifles fire and the bugle plays, it gets me every time. It’s gut-wrenching.”

The Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team needs more veterans to join them to help provide the most rewarding experience one can provide to a grieving veteran’s family. If you are a veteran and are interested in joining the team, contact Kenneth Huber at 513-288-7429.

The team is made up of 21 members, volunteer veterans, who performed over 200 Team elections were conducted at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post-9630 in Willowville, Saturday, Jan. 19 and the Military Rites Burial Team is ready for another busy year.

In 2011, the Team performed 128 Military Rites funeral services. In 2012, the team completed 112 services for past military servicemen, women, Coast Guardsman, Merchantmen, and CAP members. Team members drove more than 3,000 miles and spent more than 300 hours honoring our past heroes in 2012. These services are free although donations are accepted. Families must request these services through their Funeral Directors at the time of making burial arrangements. Proof of military service, such as a DD-214, is required.

For further information, contact the Clermont County Veterans’ Service Commission at (513) 732-7363.

The Southwest Ohio Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Team, which pays last respects to local veterans, is in need of members.

The team is comprised of veterans from local VFW and American Legion posts and provides military honors at funerals of veterans in Hamilton, Brown, and Clermont counties.

“Our problem is numbers,” said Mark Brandon, member of the Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team. “Unfortunately, our membership is dwindling. Being mainly comprised of retirees, several members have left the team for various reasons while a few others are recovering from medical issues.”

“If we lose any more members, we may not be able to continue with our services,” said Ken Huber, quartermaster for the Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team.

Huber, 58, of Milford, retired from the Navy after 22 years of service. He joined the team two ½ years ago, just after moving from New Orleans.

“I sought out the team because I wanted to do something for Veterans, and this sparked my interest,” said Huber. “Two years ago, we had 20 members. Now, we have 12.”

The team needs 12 members at each funeral in order to perform full military honors.

“It’s not [viable] to have all of our members perform services at all the funerals,” said Huber.

The team performed military honors at 130 funerals last year. Since the beginning of this year, the team has performed at more than 50 funerals.

“The request to perform military honors comes from the funeral homes,” said Huber. “It’s our honor to do this, and it’s truly our honor to be [at the funeral].

The Southwest Ohio Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Team was organized in 1966. The team performs military honors year-round, in sun, rain, sleet, and snow.

It costs the team $500 to outfit each member with a uniform, including a rain coat and winter coat. The team uses a van to transport members and equipment.

Donations are accepted to offset these costs.

The military honors are usually performed during a graveside service. According to Huber, “The commander will say some words about veteran services, and then the chaplain will give two prayers,” explained Huber. “Then we perform the flower ceremony, followed by a rifle volley. Our bugler plays Taps, then we have the flag folding ceremony, and the flag is given to the next of kin.” When needed, the team has served as pallbearers.

The flags are provided by the Veterans Association.

“I don’t think there is a more honorable thing to do,” said Huber. “When you hand that flag to the widow or widower, well, that is the most honorable thing you can do for a veteran.

He added, “When the rifles fire and the bugle plays, it gets me every time. It’s gut-wrenching.”

While most of the team members are retired veterans, Huber encourages young veterans to join, even if they can only give a limited commitment of their time.

“It’s okay if someone is only available once or twice a month,” said Huber. “We realize that everyone has lives. We just need everyone we can get to help.”

Huber said he’s gained a lot of friends through the team, and it’s given him a different look at life.

“There’s a lot of comradeship because we share a common bond. At one point in our lives, we all got on the bus to boot camp to be trained to go to an unknown place,” said Huber.

He added, “When we bury World War II veterans, we all think about those veterans as young people going off to war. And then, there we are with the honor to stand and say our final farewells.”

The team takes time and effort to read the obituaries of the veterans for whom they will be performing military honors, taking advantage of available videos and pictures posted to obituary webpages.

“I don’t ever want it to be routine,” said Huber.

He added that, when needed, the team has served as pallbearers.

“I think our services give families a bit of closure. They come up to us, hug us and tell us how beautiful the ceremony was,” said Huber. “It would be a shame to have to go away, and we’re really close to going away.”

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