LAKEPORT, Calif. – If most of us think back to our youth, between the ages of 17 and 20, we were busy making many decisions. Some of those included what to wear to our prom, which college to attend or what type of work to pursue.

We would never have imagined being in combat, fighting for the lives of our buddies and our own. We didn’t long for home, battling through scorching heat and freezing cold. However, those scenarios are a part of history for most of our veterans, as well as many of today’s troops.

On Saturday, March 5, at 1 p.m., four of America’s veterans will be laid to rest with full military honors.

The ceremony will take place at Veterans Circle at Hartley Cemetery, 2552 Hill Road East, Lakeport.

The Missing In America Project (MIAP) state certified funeral escort team will participate, along with Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) and the Military Funeral Honors Team of Lake County.

The purpose of MIAP is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations.

The men who will find their final resting place have earned and deserve our respect. Their stories vary and include service in WWII and Vietnam.

One soldier will receive his WWII dog tag, lost in Italy and coming home to him some 60 years later.

On Saturday, you can help ensure that honor and respect are bestowed upon four men who have served our country. The community is requested to attend this ceremony.

These veterans stood for you and now you can stand for them.