Farmersville Times

Photo by Wyndi Veigel
Farmersville resident Leon Brandon marches with the
Tri-County Honor Guard during the Old Time Saturday
parade in October.

By Wyndi Veigel
Staff Writer

Honoring veterans is not just an opportunity that arises at Veterans Day, and the Tri-County Honor Guard takes service to the heart of the matter.

“We believe all veterans’ service should be recognized when they die. It is the final tribute that we can give them,” Steve Lowes organizer and member of the Tri-County Honor Guard, said.

Since its beginning in 2008, the guard has participated in 37 funerals and many community events including Audie Murphy Day and Old Time Saturday in Farmersville.

Veterans from all branches of service participate by marching in parades and showing respect to those families of fallen veterans.

“We have three members who are World War II veterans, several Korean War veterans, many Vietnam and Vietnam-era vets, the Persian Gulf War and Iraq,” Lowes said.

The group will be involved with the city of Frisco’s Veterans Day parade which will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.

“We have members participating from Royse City, Fate, Josephine, Farmersville, Garland and Rockwall,” he said.

Currently the guard is comprised of 90 percent veterans and 10 percent volunteers, so anyone can join the organization.

“There are no other requirements but a willingness to serve,” Lowes said.

Even wives of veterans can serve and actively participate in funerals and parades.

“Many wives attend our monthly dinner and meeting,” he said. “We also have two female veterans on the honor guard.”

Though marching in parades is a large part of how the group honors veterans, they offer much more than that.

The group provides U.S. flags to schools and educates the children on correct flag etiquette.

“We also provide funeral honors for veterans which consist of a three-volley gun salute, “Taps” played on a bugle, and flag folding. Any honorably discharged veteran is authorized all of these services,” Lowes said.

Veterans and volunteers interested in the club are encouraged to attend a meeting held on the third Thursday of each month at the Royse City Senior Center.

For more information on the Tri-County Honor Guard contact Lowes at 972-694-2190, Gene Allen at 972-635-9293, or Ed Taylor at 972-722-4541.

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Veterans honored all year long - Tri-County Honor Guard offers chance to repay veterans

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