Yes...its quite normal...at least around here. While its customary to send an honor contigent..being paid...a lot of the police and firefighters I know go on there own dime...out of a sense of duty. Being involved with the Legion and VFW here, I've attended a lot of funerals in the last few years of people I didn't know who have served. For me its my way of expressing my appreciation that a brother's life wasn't in vain, whether military or civil service. It also serves to remind me that freedom and safety come with a price and yet its priceless. JMHO.......no flames intended...:)
