Local honor guard serves with distinction

On Monday, continuing a tradition begun back in 1868 according to PBS.org, many Americans honored veterans - specifically those killed while serving their country.

Portales resident and World War II veteran Joe Blair said it was originally called Decoration Day, but now we call it Memorial Day. Since 1971 it has been a federal holiday observed on the fourth Monday of May.

Blair is a longtime member of American Legion Post 31 in Portales where he founded its uniformed honor guard back in 2000. Until a few years ago he was in charge of the unit.

The group provides a Memorial Day service at Clovis and Portales cemeteries every year in any kind of weather. Additionally, it offers a funeral or graveside service for the families of veterans at no charge, and local funeral homes have information about it.

"The honor guard was formed," Blair said, "to honor deceased veterans and the flag under which we all served."

So far, it has been 17 years and over 300 funerals.

Retired Air Force master sergeant and Vietnam veteran David Myers currently leads the honor guard. The other members are Harri Black (Air Force, Korean War), Joe Blair (Navy, World War II), Vivian Cato (Army), Dennis Darrow (Army, Korean War) and James Kyte (Navy, Korean War).

"The families deeply appreciate the ceremony," said Kyte, who notes the family receives a folded flag at no charge.

Myers added that the flag has 13 folds, each with a meaning that can be recited if the family so requests.

It is presented with the following spoken words: "On behalf of the United States of America, a grateful nation, it is an honor and a privilege to present this flag for duty, honor and country under which he/she so proudly served."

Following the flag presentation, "Taps" is played, according to Kyte. He added that the honor guard also goes to cremations.

When asked why they volunteer for the honor guard, Myers replied, "Somebody's got to do it."

Nodding in agreement, Kyte said, "It's an honor for us to do it."