AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team attends hundreds of funerals a month to memorialize fallen soldiers and veterans.
- Team is responsible for the last memorial for those who die while serving
- There are more than 20 members scattered across the state
The team gives a final salute to more than 500 service members and veterans a month, about 5,000 a year. First Lieutenant Anthony Maquinalez joined the Texas Army National Guard eight years ago.
"My whole family has served in military for one capacity or another," he said. "Duty to country was something that was important to me."
Maquinalez has worked all over the state, finally settling in Austin three years ago and joining the Funeral Honors team. There are more than 20 members are scattered across the state and they attend about 500 funerals a month.
"It's one of those things. It's a great honor to go ahead and remember them," said Maquinalez.
The honor was bestowed on Eric Mercado's father, Victor Mercado, last year. Eric Mercado has fond memories of his father and his dedication to his military service in the Air Force. Naturally, Eric Mercado decided to serve himself and joined exactly 20 years after his father retired.
"Funny story. I wanted to join the Marines. We were driving up to the recruiter and by the time we got up to the recruiting office. He changed my mind. I ended up joining the Air Force. He loved it," said Eric Mercado.
Just as the team does for so many families, they performed the last memorial for Victor Mercado's family. He kept his composure, until he handed the folded flag to his mother.
"That's when I lost it, I broke down. It was my mom. She started crying. My sister started crying. It was just so emotional," he said.
It's that feeling of comfort and fulfillment that keeps the team members going.