They handle such duties as playing taps, firing a rifle salute and folding the nation's flag.

They are members of the military honor guard who volunteer free-of-charge to appear at a veteran's funeral services at local cemeteries.

And the rough days are the ones with the nasty weather.

He is a member of the South Hills Veterans Honor Guard, comprised of members from Bethel Park's American Legion Post 760 and Library's Veterans of Foreign War Post 6664.

"If there is rain or snow, we're there. If there is a long distance, we're there. Even if the funeral party is late, we're still there," Babcock said.

"We've had cold, sloppy days," said Gary McLaughlin, 75, of Peters Township, a member of the McMurray Post 764 honor guard.

"It gets brutal during the winter," said Charles Kacvinsky, 78, of Canonsburg, and a member of the Canonsburg VFW Post 191 Honor Guard.

Why do they do it?

"A vet is a vet and is entitled to recognition and a special service when he or she passes on," Babcock said.

"A lot of guys feel they owe it to other veterans and to the service personnel who didn't make it home," McLaughlin said. "We're happy to perform the service."

"Somebody did it for my father," James Manion, 75, of Bethel Park, a member of the South Hills Veterans Honor Guard.

The request for honor guard starts with the family, who give the funeral director the veteran's service record, known as DD214. The funeral director then contacts the honor guard.

The South Hills group, comprised of 21 volunteers, often does an appearance each day, Manion, a former Bethel school director, said. They are available for funerals within a 25 mile radius of the two posts.

He is the chaplain for the group and addresses the funeral party.

"I tell them what he has done, where he has been, what branch of service he served, and what awards and medals he has. I say that he did something they can be proud of. I talk about the freedoms we have in this country and how we owe them all to veterans.

"I say, 'Now he has gone home to God and will be joining his fallen comrades up in Heaven for a final pass in review,'" Manion said.

"He does a very good job," said Babcock who described the group's service as "dignified and thorough."

When the hearse pulls up, the honor guard snaps to attention. The party goes to the grave site. The minister and the chaplain speak, followed by taps and a rifle salute. The riflemen hold their guns at salute. Two military personnel fold the flag and present it to the friends and family of the deceased.

In spite of the gravity of the situation, the honor guard members can't help sharing yarns about their time in service while waiting for the family. "We're a band of brothers," one member said.

Manion recalled he was in Navy boot camp when the Korea War broke. "I asked my chief, 'Where is Korea?' and he answered, 'You'll find out.'"

Ted Pace and Calvin Marquis started the South Hills Veterans Honor Guard in 2000. "There was a definite need for it," Pace, 83, of Bethel Park, said.

Prior to the group's formation Babcock said he saw a military ceremony at a funeral that "looked shabby" and recognized the need for a group that acted professionally.

"We're a good looking unit," McLaughlin said of the 20-man McMurray honor guard, which is available for veterans' funerals in the community. He said the post has been fortunate in recruiting younger veterans, from Vietnam and Desert Storm.

The honor guard appears at two or three funerals a month, in addition to visiting schools, hospitals and nursing homes.

"The majority of our guys are in our 70s," said Kacvinsky of the Canonsburg honor guard. He has been sergeant in the unit for over 20 years. "It is a pleasure serving veterans," he said.

The unit appears at 70 funerals a year for veterans in the Canonsburg and Bridgeville areas.

"The veteran population is aging rapidly," Babcock noted. He said the youngest person in his honor guard is 65.

"Usually the family is gratified that their relative is so honored," Babcock said.

At the funeral's conclusion, "we thank the families for letting us do it," Pace said.

"Sometimes they thank us and invite us to the luncheon. We tell them they don't have to thank us. We're there for the veterans. Also we gave the families some sense of closure.

"We get the satisfaction of doing it for another veteran."