amollenauer@altoonamirror.com
VFW Blair County Veterans Honor Guard member Forris Oldham (left) salutes fellow honor guard member Barry Leonard after the folding of the American flag during a funeral service for a fallen veteran at Smith Corner Church in East Freedom Friday. Mirror photo by Andrew Mollenauer
On a typical week, the VFW Blair County Veterans Honor Guard conducts five military funeral services, honoring the fallen with the playing of taps as well as the traditional folding and presentation of the American flag to the next of kin, and the firing of arms salute.
When the COVID-19 pandemic worsened with the turn of fall toward winter, the group was forced to cease its routine for about two months beginning Nov. 5. With most of the honor guard members in their 70s and 80s, they’re particularly susceptible to the virus, which has a higher mortality rate among older adults. Eight out of 10 reported COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are in people 65 or older, according to th