For some 20 years Leon Burson Post 395 has been providing honors for veterans at the end of their lives.
The post regularly musters a detail of 13 members to give final honor for the veteran's service. The detail consists of a seven man rifle squad, three color guards to carry the U.S. flag, service branch flag and Legion flag. (If able a POW/MIA is included) Plus a detail commander, bugler and chaplain to present the U.S. flag to the next of kin.
The unit responds to requests from family or funeral directors winter summer rain or shine. In the mid-1990s the guard went to Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery one day a month to give the honors until a permanent detail was established at Abraham Lincoln. The group travels about 20 miles radius on a regular basis. They have sometimes traveled greater distances for special requests.
In the beginning all tributes were conducted at graveside in a cemetery. Today with the growing number of cremations the honors are sometimes conducted outside a church or at a funeral home. The post members are committed to not forgetting the veteran at the end of his or her life and provide a well deserved honor for the service he or she gave our country even though the service may have been many years ago.