My dad passed away two years ago and since it was in the middle of the government “shutdown”, Keesler couldn’t do it; the American Legion did and they did a wonderful job.
My uncle survived WWII as a gunner on 36 combat missions. He later survived a tour in Vietnam. He had an Air Force enlisted career of over 30 years. When he passed away in 2004 his friends in the local VFW were his pallbearers. Knowing of the shortage of honor guard personnel I was surprised when a full active duty from Keesler AFB, a 120 miles south showed up. I had burned a cd with a most dramatic version of the Air Force Hymn. After the ceremony and people where leaving I played the music on full volume. “Off we go, into the wild blue...” could not have been more appropriate.
Few WWII vets remain. No matter how they served, they they deserve all the honors we can give them. Cost should not matter. The same is true of all vets of other conflicts who have served honorably should be treated the same.