honorguard

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VFW Post 8495 Honor Guard
Our honor guard participates in civic activities in the town of Perinton
and Monroe County and includes parades, dedications, and memorials.
We offer funeral services for American military veterans including
sounding of Taps, rifle firing squad*** and, flag presentations when
requested through the funeral director.

For those post members interested in joining the honor guard,
e-mail Frank Balik at frbal@peoplepc.com
Honor Guard :

R. Gough

R. Allevato

J. Gropp

L. Anderson

W. Kuhn

F. Balik - President

M. Lucci Co-captain

R. Bergen

Olmo Vasquez, R

P. Cammilleri - Co-captain

P. Pierce

D. Crawford

F. Pittenaro

D. Cronkite

M. Porter

G. Droney

J. Schenkel

J. Durham- Chaplain

P. Thurley

M. Fedele

R. Gill

***Rifle Firing at Funerals

The practice of firing three volleys over the grave originated in the old custom of halting the fighting
to remove the dead from the battlefield. Once each Army had cleared their dead, it would fire three
volleys to indicate that the dead had been cared for and that they were ready to fight again. The
fact that the firing party consists of seven riflemen, firing these volleys does not constitute a 21 gun
salute. It is the three volleys, not the number of rifles. Three volleys fired over the casket have
become a tradition to mean that the dead have been cared for. It has evolved into a military salute
for the deceased serving of country. Firing the three volleys is one of the highest honors to give a
deceased military veteran. Our nations highest honor is a flag draped over the casket, folded
and presented. Tradition is to place three spent shell casings inside the folded flag to prove now
and forever that the deceased and his flag have had proper military honors. Nothing else is to be
placed in the flag.

Honor Guard needs news members:
Members of the Post who would like to participate in the activities of the Post's Honor Guard, please
give your name and phone number along with the days you would be available to participate in our
activities to Frank Balik, Honor Guard President or e-mail Frank at frbal@peoplepc.com or us at
vfw8495@att.net.