Harry R."Sam" Wade, Requiescat in pace.

We have lost another hero.

Being a member of Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard, Harry R. "Sam" Wade sometimes served at two or three veterans' funerals in a day.

One year, he volunteered at more than 130 funerals for the honor guard, which, among other duties, performs "Taps" and presents the U.S. flag to the next of kin. If requested, it also watches over veterans' caskets during viewings.

Thursday afternoon, the honor guard honored Wade -- its oldest member at age 87 -- at his funeral in Mountville. He died April 15 after a brief illness.

Wade, an Army sergeant who served as a surgical technician in Europe during World War II, joined the honor guard Nov. 21, 2001.

In a 2003 interview with the Intelligencer Journal, he said, "I enjoy (the honor guard), if there's any such thing as enjoying a funeral."

The husband of Marian Glick Wade, with whom he celebrated his 64th wedding anniversary April 4, said veterans deserve recognition and respect at their funerals.

The Rev. Roger O. Colvin, chaplain of the honor guard and officiant at Wade's funeral, said Wade was "always first on the site. I tried to beat him out a couple times, but I didn't."

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. William Brandt, chairman of the honor guard, said Wade was "so dedicated to serving his fellow military people. It didn't matter, whether it was freezing cold, raining or in the summer heat. If Sam was available, he was there."

To serve him is a great honor. Some (of the 38 honor guard members in attendance) took off work to be here because of Sam. We will miss him dearly. He was dearly, dearly loved."

The Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard was formed in 1998 after U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joe Lainhoff of Lancaster tried in vain to arrange a military service for the funeral of his father, Army Technician 5th Grade Thomas W. Lainhoff.

The older Lainhoff, one of the first Lancaster men to enlist in the U.S. armed forces after Pearl Harbor, had requested in his will that he have an honor guard at his funeral.

Determined to meet that wish, his family stepped up and the next year began Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard, which provides the military funerals free of charge.

The honor guard now has 65 members from all branches of the military except the Coast Guard. It served at more than 300 funeral services organized by 25 to 30 Lancaster County funeral homes last year.

The guard is always looking for more members, particularly those who can serve as buglers, Brandt said. Age is not a concern.

Thursday, Penn Manor High School student Liz Hoffman and Ephrata Senior High School student Ryan Cochran played "Taps" on their bugles during Wade's funeral.