ELKINS (KFSM)-- A World War II veteran was honored Saturday (Jan. 30) in a front-yard ceremony in rural Washington County.
Army veteran Wayne "Slim" Reed served in the Philippines as a radar operator. His daughter Terri Shaw said when he died of an illness in November 2015, she decided to do something special.
"I contacted the VA and they said that you could contact your local post office and get a flag," Shaw said. " And I just thought as a World War II vet I wanted a little more than a flag and a box."
The local VFW Honor Guard performed a ceremony, complete with a 21-gun salute, a folded flag and Taps. Shaw said the service went above and beyond what was expected.
"You know the respect they have for each other, that's the overwhelming part," Shaw said. "It means the world, I mean World War II vet... there's not too many of those guys around anymore."
Michael Ford officiated the ceremony. He said he was blessed to be a part in celebrating Reed's life.
"President Calvin Coolidge said 'a nation that forgets its veterans will also be forgotten,'" Ford said. "These gentlemen, especially of WWII and through all the wars for that matter, deserve the respect that we give them at a funeral."
Shaw said the ceremony is something she'll remember forever, along with her dad's love for music and his family.
"He was a good guy, he was," Shaw said. "They don't make them like that anymore."
Reed was 94-years-old when he died. He and his wife were just five days away from celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.