Ruben on the Road: Volleys for Veterans honoring fallen soldiers

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Ruben stays in Amarillo and learns about a military organization that honors fallen veterans in the Texas Panhandle.

“We just finished honoring a deceased member of our unit. That’s an example of what we do. Across the entire Texas Panhandle,” said Commander James Elfelt, member of Volleys for Veterans.

The organization’s sole purpose for existence is to honor deceased military veterans.

“The nearest military base is Clovis. Not convenient for those folks to get to the funerals. If it weren’t for our unit, in almost all cases, there would be no honors for veterans,” said Commander Elfelt.

Commander Elfelt says the veterans deserve those honors.

“They’re entitled to them. In fact, they’re entitled to them by law. That’s why we exist,” said Commander Elfelt.

Major General Robert Dempsey says they are all members of the Profession of Arms and that’s their main life role.

“And in doing that, we want to honor the traditions that go all the way back to the Roman Empire. And in particular, we think of the passage in the Bible, ‘No greater love hath many men than to lay down his life for his friend.’,” said Major General Dempsey.

Major General Dempsey says they signed an Oath of Allegiance to America that they would do just that if and when they were called upon.

“Nothing could be more important. Think about it. We just buried a 102 year old World War II veteran in Hereford last week. My unit was there,” said Commander Elfelt.

According to Commander Elfelt, World War II veterans are almost gone and the youngest ones are in their late nineties.

“They deserve every ounce of credit that we can do, and I am humbled just to be asked to do that,” said Commander Elfelt.

Major General Dempsey says they are pleased to do it and they are pleased to be able to do it. He explains that many can’t do it and others his age can’t walk.

“So you should reflect and realize how fortunate you are that you can come and render honor to those who have given their all and now have passed on to join the warriors in the sky, so to speak,” said Major General Dempsey.

Commander Elfelt asks that veterans in the Texas Panhandle of any branch of service, whether they served a couple of years or whether they served for 30 or 40 years to honor fellow veterans and give Volleys for Veterans a call.

“We are always looking for recruits, and we’d be happy to talk to you,” said Commander Elfelt.