I consider it a special privilege to serve as chaplain for the Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team, a team made up of volunteers, all veterans of the armed forces of the United States of America.
Usually, my role is to introduce the team at the funeral of a departed “Comrade-in-Arms.” As an ordained minister, I have conducted many funerals and I sometimes conduct the full funeral service for the departed veteran.
Because I usually do not know the veteran nor any of his family, I am challenged to find the right words to help the grieving family to find comfort in the wake of their loss. Sometimes a poem fits and sometimes a passage of scripture will seem right.
Always, I try to say something about the veteran’s service and sacrifice. Everyone should be reminded that all veterans gave some and some gave all in service to his beloved country.
May God bless and comfort those left behind when a veteran answers his final “roll call.”
Woody Hughes is a retired captain of the U.S. Navy and the chaplain fro the Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team.
