By Ann DeFrange
The Oklahoman
What do you get for a group of aging military men who devotedly stand by their brothers in the face of death?
Guns. They want guns.
Members of the Odd Fellows Lodge in the Capitol Hill area have launched a fund-raising campaign to help another fraternal group purchase the equipment they need for their work. Last week, they had a benefit dinner -- for guns.
The weapons are items on the wish list of Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 85. It's been decades since any of them used guns in combat or in training; but long after their retirement from active duty, they continue to serve. As the DAV Honor Guard of Oklahoma, they perform ceremonies at veterans' funerals.
They post the colors; stand at attention at graveside; play "Taps" from a bugle or a recording; fire up to 18 rounds, the allowed salute for most soldiers; fold the flag that covers the casket and present it to the family
Frank Thompson, from the DAV chapter, said the honor guard averages a half-dozen men, all volunteers, who attend funerals of any honorably discharged veteran of any rank, anywhere in Oklahoma, at the request of a family or a funeral home. As aging veterans of World War II and Korea die, the volunteers are attending more and more funerals.
As they fire off more and more gun salutes, the guns are wearing out.
Once, Thompson said, they had an arsenal of 10 rifles; they are currently down to five that are still operational. Three just fell apart, Thompson said. Sometimes they miss a round; sometimes they don't fire at all.
The official weapon for a gun salute is an M1 Garand rifle. They were made between 1936 and 1957 and used in combat as late as the Korean War. Thompson said Marines used them in the 1970s. Now, most are owned by collectors and other veteran organizations that conduct ceremonies.
DAV members have been cleaning them, as soldiers are trained to do, but "we're not authorized to really strip them down or replace parts," Thompson said. Even when they have donations to purchase replacements, they have to locate rifles for sale.
Thompson said the situation is similar to driving a 1930s-era automobile and expecting it to last this long.
Although they are being asked to more funerals than ever, donations are decreasing, he said. Gasoline and travel expenses have risen.
Another concern is that, as the equipment ages, so do the members of the honor guard. Said Thompson: "Hopefully we can keep it going until someone does it for us."
Donations can be made to the DAV by calling 686-1568, or to Troy Gibson of the Odd Fellows Lodge, 769-8773.
Veterans, alive and deceased, need guns.
Call me:475-3449 Fax me:475-3183
Write me:P.O. Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125
E-mail me: adefrange@oklahoman.com
