NC Veterans Make Video for Those Who Can't Receive Military Funeral Honor Guard During Coronavirus | Eastern NC Now

    A group of military veterans out of Mount Airy, N.C., made a video to bestow a funeral honor guard upon departed service members who are unable to receive one due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

    The effort was led by Rob Luffman, whose late father Bobby Luffman served in the Air Force. He said he saw a friend share a Facebook post asking for someone to play taps at her dad's funeral several weeks ago. The woman's father had served three tours in Vietnam.

    "That was the first time it occurred to me that veterans were not getting honors ceremonies at graveside services," he told Fox News. "I had no idea it was an issue. Never thought it would be. It's only an issue due to the COVID pandemic.

    "So I started calling local VFWs," Luffman explained. "I started calling my friends who were in the services, trying to track down any honor guard willing to stage one for a film. Finally Mr. Arlis Thomas called me back from Mount Airy and got the group together. We scheduled it and met for the first time to do the film."

    We heard about how Veterans were not getting Honors at the grave side services due to the Covid19 pandemic, so w...

    He said he and his friend Jon Brooks usually photograph landscapes, but that both jumped at the chance to honor America's veterans.

    "I arranged it with my friend and fellow photographer Jon Brooks. Normally we only do still landscapes and wildlife photos, so this video was a first," Luffman explained.

    "The VFW members were kind, happy and elated to do the film. They took a few minutes to rehearse since they haven't done a ceremony since February. I believe they said they did 86 of them last year. When it was ready to do go, they did the show -- filmed in one take. It brings tears to the eyes. Everything was perfect."

    Luffman said he hopes families of deceased service members use his video as a way to honor their loved ones as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage on.

    "They knew what this means to everyone. They performed admirably. They did it with honor and care," he said. "The film is on the Internet. All I ask is that the link to the YouTube video be shared so folks in need can find it, and share it with loved ones in times of need. That's all we ask. It was the right thing to do, and we did it."

    Hat Tip to Carol Gunn for sending this link.

   

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    SMSgt George Schryer (ret.) is a 24-year Air Force veteran. He served as a B-52 tailgunner (see insert on the masthead) in Vietnam. Tailgunners were trained to not only protect the plane from the rear from enemy fighters but to also assist other B-52's following in a formation that might have experienced difficulty with their radar in locating the target. The tailgunner in the forward plane would use his radar to locate the target and then signal to the following plane where to drop its bomb load. The technique was called "The Bonus Deal." George and his wife Gail have lived in Beaufort County for the last 17 years and since his 'second' retirement from Grady White Boats in 2006 after 12 years there. He is a life-member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, currently serving as the Chief of Staff for the Commander of VFW District 2. George will be offering information for veterans and their families and commenting on issues he believes are important to all of us. He speaks for himself and not the Air Force, VFW or anyone other than himself. We thank George for providing this "Bonus Deal" to the veterans and their families in our readership. You can contact George at: schryergeorge@yahoo.com