At the age of 74, U.S. Army veteran Tim Donahue found purpose by serving as a military honor guard at more than 700 funerals in the past 10 years.
According to an article in the Albert Lea Tribune, Tim started volunteering on weekends in 2010, but stepped up his commitment after retiring in 2014 from the Albert Lea, Minn., Street Department.
“The veterans deserve the honors,” he explained. “You see what it does for the family, and that is rewarding in itself.”
In addition to funerals, Tim takes part in parades throughout the county, and presents the colors at the Freeborn County Fair and demonstrations at local schools.
As veterans get older and die themselves, Tim said his VFW Honor Guard group is down to less than six members. That is likely at similar situation at Veterans of Foreign Wars posts around the nation.
He encourages younger veterans to step up recognize the men and women who protected America and kept it strong for many years.
The full story, including Tim’s impressive service record in Germany and Vietnam, can be found at the Albert Lea Tribune’s website.
After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.