24-05-2025
Heeding the call at Western New York National Cemetery
PEMBROKE — With rainy 46-degree weather Friday, members of the Orleans County honor guard gathered at the Western New York National Cemetery to honor one of their own. Among the four providing a rifle salute were Niagara County Army veterans Kathy Kindle of Middleport and Ricci Hoffer of Newfane.
For all who provide this solemn service, it is a high honor done with great pride.
Jim Freas of Medina, the officer-in-charge of the Orleans County honor guard, said he is involved because 'I expect somebody to do it for me.'
'It's the last thing these guys can do for their brothers,' said Linda Freas, Jim's wife. 'Every year it's fewer and fewer of them.'
The call to honor is ongoing. Every day, the Western New York National Cemetery lays veterans to rest.
'The National Cemetery Association thinks of Memorial Day as our Super Bowl,' said Jim Metcalfe, an Army vet and director of the Western New York National Cemetery who has overseen 19 national cemeteries.
'We have to be perfect,' Metcalfe said. 'There can't be a weed. People roll in and see the manicured lawn, and the tree rings, and the marble. It is overwhelming for them.'
Laying someone to rest at the national cemetery is called a committal service, rather than a funeral, Metcalfe said.
'Our duty here is to render military honors to the veteran. It's not a place for a showing or ceremony,' he said. 'When we have a committal service, the next of kin will receive a burial flag, a presidential memorial certificate, the honor guard, the rifle volley, playing of taps, and two members from the veteran's branch of service will be present to fold and present the flag to the family.'
A eulogy or prayer by someone of the family's choosing can be included.
'I think when the rifle volley goes off and they hear taps play, most families find it difficult to hold it in,' Metcalfe said. 'Now the country is giving back and providing this beautiful place for them for eternity.'
Honor guard members are volunteers, both veteran and non-veteran, representing all branches of the military. At committal services, the honor guard usually includes one bugler, seven shooters, and a commander.
Erie, Wyoming, Genesee, and Orleans counties have honor guards who have committed to serve a day each week at the cemetery. When guard groups are large enough, members are able to rotate through. Since Niagara County has yet to form an honor guard, all counties alternate on Fridays.
'What stays with me is the number of unclaimed veterans with no families,' said Mike Harmer of Medina, a Navy vet.
Kindle has tried to find members for a Niagara County honor guard by speaking about it at monthly countywide meetings of the American Legion. She said many local legion posts have their own honor guard.
'Some days, we have a local funeral at the post, and we can't come to the national cemetery,' Kindle said.
'When you look at the faces of the families, you see how much it means to them,' said honor guard member John Follman of Waterport, who served in the Air Force and National Guard.
On Friday, Follman presented the family of the deceased with three brass shells from the honor guard's M1 Garand rifle salute. The shells stand for duty, honor, and sacrifice, he said.
Petty Officer Robin Johnson, who represented the Navy in honor of the deceased Friday, said participating is a way to tip his hat to those who have served.
'Either during taps or the presentation of the flag, that's when people start choking up,' Johnson said.
Brad Nudd of Medina is not a veteran, but he serves on the Orleans County honor guard as a bugler in memory of his father who did military service. Nudd said his involvement is in tribute to his father, and all who sacrificed for this country.
As a new cemetery will be created in 2021, Metcalfe said outreach is underway to help families understand the services available to them. He said the Pembroke cemetery has done 600 interments a year, but several thousand are typical at other national cemeteries. Veterans who have resided elsewhere can be buried in Western New York, and Metcalfe said a lot of snowbirds come back here.
'People don't know what to expect here,' Metcalfe said. 'We work with them all. We're a time-of-need service. There's no pre-registration. You can't reserve a spot. A burial can be arranged in an hour.'
The national cemetery offers traditional burial, and for cremations, both in-ground burials and a columbarium building with niches are available. Metcalfe said all veterans have the benefit of a gravesite, opening and closing of the site, a burial lining, a headstone and marker, and perpetual care. He encourages families to go to and choose the benefits section to learn more.
