Editor's Note: We wrote this story about the American Legion Riders after the funeral of about World War II Air Army Corps airman Marvin Steinford in June.

Whether it is to honor a soldier who died recently in Iraq or Afghanistan, or to honor a WWII airman who recently returned home, chances are that you will see motorcycles at the funeral.

The American Legion Riders (which includes a Shellsburg chapter) and the Patriot Guard (which also includes local riders) are often invited to participate in the funeral ceremonies for fallen soldiers.

Approximately 40 such riders on three dozen motorcycles participated in the services for Sgt. Marvin Steinford on Tuesday. The group presented a plaque to Steinford's family in honor of his life and death.

Other local veterans also attended the funeral. A contingent of American Legion Post 107 members from Keystone were there, along with long-time Legion leaders Monte Railsback and Roger Uthoff.

"It's the right thing to do," said Railsback.

The riders formed a line outside the church before the funeral, holding large U.S. flags. They led the hearse to the cemetery, where they formed a wall around the burial site. The brisk wind kept the flags fully extended and flapping during the burial, offering an additional visual and audio tribute to Sgt. Steinford.

Some of the riders were accompanied by family members. Scott Rathjens of Springville was there with his daughter, Autumn. Several Vinton and Shellsburg riders also joined the tribute, spending most of their day in Cedar Rapids.

"It will be a long day, but this hero deserves it," wrote ride captain Ken Halter, Jr., who organized the riders. Halter presented the family with the plaque after the ceremony.

National Guard soldiers -- not wearing name tags as an official declaration that they are calling attention to the fallen hero and not themselves -- participated in the funeral in many ways. Several took turns standing watch over the casket. Another group carried the casket after the funeral. Others formed an Honor Guard, firing the 21-gun salute and playing Taps during the internment. The final tribute was the handing of the flag from the coffin to Carol Sansenbach, the only child of Sgt. Steinford. She was just five months old when her father perished on March 24, 1945.

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CH June 22, 2011, 7:56 pm Wish I could have been there; great article and pictures.