Signed in as:
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Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
As quoted by Woodrow (Woody) H. Bowman, founder.
"In July 2009, Tom Butler died. This was an American Veteran, a member of Amvets Post 13 and the American Legion Post 8, where he was also employed.
"Tom suffered a heart attack at work causing his death. A military burial had always been his desire. At that time, Davidson County,( North Carolina), did not have an Honor Guard; but the VFW did have one. However, Tom was not a member of their post and the VFW would not provide this service for his burial. Therefore, the need for an All-County Honor Guard was duly noted.
"Being Commander of the Davidson County Veterans Council, I presented this need to the Council and requested permission to start an honor guard. The only question (posed) that was appropriate was, "Would we be in competition with the VFW?" My reply was, "If you do not want to do the honors, we will." The VFW said it would be alright. At the same time, February 19, 2010, I was also the Post Commander of Amvets Post 13. I contacted the National Amvets Council and began the paperwork required to obtain their permission for the honor guard. Also, I had to appear before Davidson County Board of Commissioners and request permission to name our group the Davidson County Honor Guard. Commission[sic] was given by the Board of Commissioners to use this name, and seal of Davidson County.
"Approximately a year later we still did not have any rifles or supplies. A friend of mine, Rudolph Hartley, gave me a handmade cedar chest; tickets were printed and the chest was raffled. This made about $600.00. This money was used to purchase hats and ascots. I contracted[sic] TACOM (U.S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command) again in November, 2010; no reply. I then contacted Amvets National and received a letter stating TACOM wasn't issuing any rifles just now. The Amvets National could not provide any estimated date for rifles issuance. However, a shipment of rifles was shipped by TACOM to the Lexington Police Department in May, 2010. We were contacted and we picked up our much appreciated rifles but still had no ammunition. A plea was given[sic] to the Rowan County Honor Guard and they gave us a canister of blank ammo. In the meantime, I had contacted the Armory at Rock Island, Illinois; they shipped us two cases of blank ammo.
"Randolph County Honor Guard was helpful with our start-up procedures. Their leaders made several trips to talk to us and give much needed instructions. Lee Bowden, and[sic] Amvets member, was also very helpful.
"Shirts and pants were ordered from Quartermaster. Special Honor Guard patches bearing the seal of Davidson County and Honor Guard were ordered and sewn on our shirts and jackets by Jim Lippard (American Legion member Post 8) for nothing[sic]. Practice began with rifles (M-1 Grands).
"The first funeral Honors[sic] provide[sic] by Davidson County Honor Guard was on July 7, 2011 at 14:00 hours (2 p.m.) at Paul's Chapel, Lexington, North Carolina. The five members were Bill Benton, Hank Decker, Bryce Yountz, Wade Taylor, and Woody Bowman.
"We do not charge for this service but we do accept donations. We have paid for all clothing and supplies. The rifles and ammunition is[sic] given to us. Each uniform costs approximately $500.00. We sold Bar-B-Que plates to raised[sic] monies to purchase our uniforms.
"Since our first service we have had many other Veterans join our ranks. As more families become aware of our services, we are asked to perform the Military Honors[sic]. It is sad to see the number of deceased Veterans, both in our county and country, continue to increase in numbers.
"If any one[sic} to arrange a service with the aid of the Davidson County Honor Guard let your funeral home notify us.
"As of January 10, 2013, we have performed over[sic] 100 burials. We have also done four POW/MIA ceremonies."
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