WILLIAMSON COUNTY (WSIL) -- Veterans in our region serving as Honor Guard members are asking for your help.
Providing military rites at funerals is a year-round responsibility for these volunteers. Rain, sleet, snow or shine.
The pandemic canceled most of their fundraising efforts, but the cost keeps coming out of their own pockets. That includes uniforms, transportation, and other gear items.
American Legion Post 347, Adjutant Ed Smith is an Honor Guard member. He says despite fundraising efforts being slow, the region cares about what they do.
"This year, as everybody knows, it's not like being at Black Diamond and everybody throwing money in a bucket," explains Smith. "No one made as much as we did say last year, but conversely, people care. They appreciate all the American Legions and VFW Posts in southern Illinois."
Honor Guard members add it's important to families that they attend funerals for fallen heroes, because sometimes they're the only ones who do.
Donating to your local American Legion and VFW Honor Guards supports that effort.
You can also donate online at .
