On this Veterans Day, we can think of the different branches of service and the rivalries they have but when push comes to shove, all U.S. service members are brothers in arms.
After active service time, be it two years or 30 years, service members honor each other’s service and the effort they put forth in protecting and honoring the country with their service.
Members of the American Legion try to help all veterans in any way possible. Regrettably the most called for service is to honor other veterans when they have joined the heavenly army. The Honor Guard consists of any Legion member capable of performing any part of the ceremony at the grave side.
The guard will go to almost any cemetery to perform an honor to a fallen veteran.
Guard positions are:
Flag folders and presenters, at least two members
A chaplain who speaks at the funeral to honor the fallen veteran’s service and presents the folded flag from the coffin and the brass from the gun salute to the next of kin.
A Seargent At Arms who commands the firing detail
Up to 4 flag bearers, American Flag, Legion Flag, POW Flag, Flag of the veterans’ branch of service
Seven rifleman to fire the salute at the end of the ceremony
At every funeral, these honors are done by request whether the fallen veteran was an American Legion member or not. The guard honors their life and service to their country.
Each funeral has at least 11 Legion members in attendance and often more, up to 16.
The Hubert Woodward American Legion Post 156 is aging.
The average age is 75. Many have ailments that stop them from performing at the ceremony but the honor guard generally has an 87-year old veteran folding the flag and an 80-year old veteran assisting.
The youngest honor guard member is 66.
As members age and numbers dwindle, the guard starts to see those who were in our ranks fall and fear that soon it will not be able to perform honors as they should be done. The guard will persevere until it can’t sand to honor veterans who served.
The current members consist of veterans from all branches of the service, except Space Force, and ranks from e-4 to 0-6 (Bird Colonel).
In the Legion all are equal. Members vote for a Post Commander and other positions but all voices are heard and duties are shared.
On Veterans Day and at funerals, the guard continues to honor all veterans of all time periods and times of peace and war.
Current Commander – Harry Adams, Army
Adjutant – Ron Brumley – Air Force
Sgt-at-Arms – John Travis – Navy, Army
Other members include:
Gary Barrett – Army
Wayne Bennett – Air Force
Edward Collins – Korean Veteran
Curt Crane – Army
Richard Duncan – Army
Nick Esser – Marines
Marvin Gubser – Army
Marlin Gubser – Army
Keith Hansen – Army
Dennis Hendrickson
Earl Hendrickson – Marines
Joe Kirk – Army
Phillip Kuhr – Navy
George {Bill} Lamb – Army
James Lucas
Chester Mattice Jr. – Army
Larry Owen
Max Peeler
Ronnie Robinson – Army
Michael Stenzel – Marines
Mark Stockstell – Army
Darin Thomson – Army
Sally Tyree-Brumley – Army
Mmichael Wheeler
Rodney Wilson – Navy
Article information submitted by Teresa Crecelius.
