In partnership with the Veterans Coordination Commission, we are pleased to recognize the VFW Post 1273 Honor Guard with the Veteran Community Service Award.

The VFW Honor Guard was formed in 1958 in order to render military honors to members of the organization who had died. Within a few years, the VFW Honor Guard had expanded its services to include any veteran whose family requested such honors.

In the fifty years since the formation, over 5,000 funerals have been attended and honors rendered. The VFW Guard has traveled throughout the West River portion of South Dakota at no expense to the families and survivors. Over thirty men and women throughout the fifty years have performed these final honors as unpaid volunteers. They have traveled thousands of miles in their own vehicles to see that 'their own' have been given proper military honors and a final salute.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1273 Honor Guard exemplifies the self-sacrifice, dedication and community service to the highest standard. With the exception of the weapons and ammunition provided by the Federal Government, it is the Post and the individuals who form this elite organization who pay for their own equipment, drive their own vehicles and take time from their work and families to see that every veteran of any period of service receives his or her last military honors. No man or woman veteran, however mean their circumstances, is denied these last honors to their service to this great nation.