On April 24, 1966, VFW Post 6069 in Lebanon, Ohio, hosted a meeting with 12 members from four other Posts to discuss the formation of a burial detail. After several names were suggested, all members present voted unanimously to adopt the name “VFW Memorial Team.”
For the last 60 years, the Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team has worked closely with numerous area funeral homes, veteran service officers, active-duty military funeral details, and cemeteries to provide military honors for thousands of local deceased veterans.
Working with more than 20 partners in and around their communities, the VFW Memorial Team currently serves Clermont, Hamilton, Warren, Butler and Brown Counties in Ohio, as well as Kenton County in Northern Kentucky.
In 2025, the VFW Memorial Team conducted a record 206 services with honors, including 11 veterans of World War II, 20 from the Korean War, 41 from Vietnam, as well as three from both the Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism.
Families usually receive these services either through a referral from their funeral directors when making burial arrangements, or by contacting the Team directly, most often through their county Veteran Service Office or by word of mouth. Proof of military service, such as a DD-214, is required.
The team does not charge deceased veterans’ families, and no team member receives any compensation for their services. While the services are free, the team does accept donations to help cover expenses.
In addition to a folded U.S. Flag, the VFW Memorial Team also gives families a parchment-style certificate of remembrance, a bronze burial medallion, and some of the spent shell casings from the rounds that our rifle team fired that day in honor of their loved one’s service to our nation.
The average age of the 21-member team is 69 years, with every branch of service represented, except the Space Force. Team members are affiliated with several different local VFW and American Legion Posts, with the team’s headquarters at VFW Post 9630 in Willowville, Ohio.
This April, the team will be hosting a “60 Years of Service Celebration Dinner” in Cincinnati.
For more information on the Southwest Ohio VFW Memorial Team, visit www.swohiovfwmemorialteam.org
This article is featured in the 2025 December issue of Checkpoint. If you're a VFW member and don't currently receive the VFW Checkpoint, please contact VFW magazine at magazine@vfw.org. This article was submitted by Randy Fannin, Commander, SW Ohio VFW Memorial Team.