For the past several months, local efforts have been under way to bring a nationwide organization that benefits fallen service members’ families to the area.

Now, Larry Clifford of Opp, has been named a Patriot Guard Captain and is working with the Wiregrass area Patritot Guard Riders of Alabama to extend the service area from Opp toward Brewton and Mobile, he said Friday.

Clifford said the Patriot Guard Riders provide military honors for families of veterans.

“We do this at the request of the families,” he said. “If families don’t know they don’t know to ask. We do the military honors for funerals. They’ll call us, and we’ll do the whole thing for free.”

The Patriot Guard Riders offer the following:

• An American flag line at the funeral home or church and the cemetery;

• An escort from the funeral home or church to the cemetery;

• Patriotic people with outstretched flags as shields to stand between any protestors and the mourning family and friends;

• Respect, honor and support for the departed, family and friends.

“I’ve got a lot people trying to get on board,” he said. “I’ve had a least two dozen people interested, but we’d love to have more people.

“I’m hoping we get a lot more supporters,” he said. “They do not have to have a motorcycle, granted most of us all ride. They can have a car or truck.”

Additionally, Clifford said participants do not have be have a military background.

“It can be a family – a husband and wife team, but there are a lot of people that are military oriented,” he said.

Clifford said the Patriot Guard has an unwavering respect for the men and women who have served the country as soldiers, police officers and firemen.

Clifford said supporters are need for a “great big honors service” scheduled in Florala on March 25.

“They want the Patriot Guard there, and we’re going to be there,” he said.

Anyone interested in becoming part of the new chapter, may contact Clifford at 764-2860 or email him at rockybranch20002001@yahoo.com.