DALLY, Gordon William

Veteran's funeral draws support from community By JAYNE HANSON Today's News-Herald Published Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - Gordon William Dally - May 25, 1922 - July 14, 2011 - When the call went out earlier this week, Lake Havasu City service groups and residents supportive of veterans responded. On Wednesday morning, they turned out to lay World War II veteran Gordon W. Dally, 89, of Havasu, to rest during a funeral service at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens. Dally had no family members in the area able to attend. At least 40 individuals were at Dally's graveside funeral service — with military honors. Dave Eaton, Chaplain of Veterans of Foreign War Post 9401 and VFW funeral coordinator, said the VFW/American Legion-combined Honor Guard performs U.S. Army-regulation military honor services an average of 60 times per year. The local honor guard — consisting of about 18 individuals in all — performs the military honors ceremony in Havasu, and as far away as Chloride to the north and Quartzsite to the south, Eaton said. The Honor Guard's services are offered cost-free to families, however, often the families donate a contribution that ultimately ends up in the respective service clubs' accounts. The donations are used for uniform maintenance, Eaton said. On Wednesday, volunteer members of the Honor Guard marched Dally's casket to the service through a U.S. flag line and an honor guard arms salute. Then, an honor guard member was posted at each end of Dally's casket. The ceremony continued with a short speech from the Detail Commander and a non-denominational prayer, said Eaton. The honor guard's rifle detail fired three blank rounds, which is a military custom dating back to the 18th century. "When the dead were laying on the battlefield … three volleys would be fired to signify a truce so each side could bury their dead and gather their wounded," Eaton said. "When they were finished, the platoon commanders would fire three more rounds to end the truce." The honor guard bugler's playing of "Taps" followed the three ritual rifle shots. The two honor guard members posted at either end of the casket then folded and presented the casket flag to Mohave County Fiduciary officials in attendance. The flag is to be sent to one of Dally's two nieces. Both live out-of-state, according to information provided by the county fiduciary officials. Havasu attendees included representatives of VFW Post 9401, American Legion Post 81, Marine Corps League Detachment 757, American Legion Riders, Patriot Guard Riders, Final Option — Mohave County motorcycle club, Blue Star Mothers, Lake Havasu City Councilwoman Margaret Nyberg and Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson's staff members Sue Donahue and Sarah Hall. Dally was buried Wednesday next to his wife of 53 years, Fern Dally, who preceded him in death in October 2009. He served as a WWII veteran with the U.S. Army 103rd Engineer Combat Battalion during the European and American theatres, according to information provided by the county. Dally received the European, African, and Middle Eastern, or EAME, medal with one bronze battle star. Dally also received the American Campaign Medal for his service in the American Theatre. He was honorably discharged in April 1946, citing reasons of disability. Dally is survived by two nieces, Betty Jean Hagen, of Carson City, Calif., and Becky Rolan, of Austin, Texas. You may contact the reporter at jhanson@havasunews.com.