Military Funeral Honors Team Member and United Veterans Council President Frank Parker displays a "parade flag" representing the type the team hopes to obtain. Photo by Ginny Craven.

LAKE COUNTY – The Military Funeral Honors Team of Lake County provides full military honors at veteran funerals.

Most people would never know that this unassuming collection of veterans has done so on nearly 600 occasions in Lake County.

They are modest and dedicated. The men and women of the team are all veterans, honoring those that have also served our nation. They do so with no expectations, only the desire to honor their comrades.

Among the team you will find veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Though some have difficulty walking and their wounds and wear of aging cause them pain, they'll not miss the call to honor a fellow veteran. They stand with pride in freezing cold and blazing heat, all to pay the final tribute.

This team displays the flag representing the branch of service for each veteran's funeral. The American flag always waves proudly and prominently at any service they provide. All branch of service flags are displayed on Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. These flags are as humble as the men and women who proudly carry them.

The team has never owned a set of parade flags. These would not be flags used for parades as the name might seem to indicate. They are flags adorned with gold braiding and ribbon, appropriate for ceremony.

The Honors Team has begun the process of earning monies to purchase a set of ceremonial parade flags. Donations to help their cause would most certainly be welcome and greatly appreciated. If you can find it in your heart to spare a few dollars, your generosity will assist in providing the team with

flags that will fly in all their splendor and glory to honor those that have protected our freedoms.

Donations may be sent to Military Honors Team of Lake County, c/o Frank Parker, Post Office Box 335, Lucerne, CA 95458.