Posted on Apr 7, 2014
Funeral detail/honor guard is more than a duty. It is truly an honor.
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I've been apart of funeral detail and honor guard since I joined the Army. A lot of people ask me why I volunteer to do this. Too often, I see soldiers in my ranks that run from formation, retreat and duties like funeral detail. Yes, even NCO's. I don't understand why. The lack of respect and discipline is beyond me. <div><br></div><div>The last funeral I did, I was getting ready to present the flag. "I present to you this flag on behalf of a grateful nation, the United States Army and The president , as a token of appreciation for your loved ones honorable and faithful service" then I stopped . After 1.5 years of funeral service, a tear came to my eye. This was the first time I would present the flag. The meaning of what I was doing hit me so hard. </div><div><br></div><div>When your on post, thinking you need to run inside to avoid revile and retreat, remember your fallen brothers and sisters. Remember countless tears shed by family members and loves ones, who have lost. As soldiers, as sailors, as marines and as airmen... If there is any duty that should be a priority... It's to ALWAYS honor our brothers and sisters in arms. </div><div><br></div><div>(More of a statement today. Wishing all of you a great week) </div><div><br><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>
Posted in these groups: 
Honor Guard
Fallen Soldiers
Honor Guard Fallen Soldiers
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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Can we stop calling it "funeral detail" and start calling it "Funeral honors"? Like you stated it is an honor and until we can stop calling it what it isn't (detail) and start calling it what is is (an honor) then many will shy away from it because they don't understand the true honor in the mission.
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SFC Craig Dalen
I have not been afforded this honor in quite some time. It was always a proud moment for me. My NCOIC at the time refused to call it or us detail during commands and I have always attempted to correct people that use that word ever since.
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SFC Christopher Perry
Wow, I really like that! And henceforth, for me and my team at least, it is no longer funeral detail. I have never shied from funeral honors no matter what they called it. When I am thanked by the family for being there, I always thank them for allowing me to be there. That is because I really do feel it is a privilege to honor my fallen brothers and sisters.
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SSG Loyd Gant
I agree wholeheartedly as i was ncoic in the 70'and 80' covering the SE portion of Ga and Fl it was always a tough honor to look the SM family in the eyes and present the Flag on behalf of grateful nation, it's amazing that SM's are to this day running away from the opportunity to present arms at the proper time, back in the day failure to do were grounds for actions under ucmj and being a nco in the vicinity and allow it to happen are/were subject to the same or worse punishment
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I absolutely agree. I was serving as a platoon leader when one of my Soldiers passed away and since the other platoon leader was senior it was going to be him to present the flag. He, however, did not think it as an honor and asked if he "had" to go. I said no and I was honored to present my Soldier's wife the flag. It was one of the hardest things I had to do in my career, but one of the biggest honors too. This honor though was a tough one and is up there with Casualty Notification and Casualty Assistance duty. They are rough, but I would do them all over again as I know that when I go my family will be treated with the same amount of respect.
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SGT (Join to see)
Wow, it's leaders like you that set the bar sir. I think that's why every soldier should do at least one. It's so touching and reaffirms the meaning behind our work. Thank you sir.
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SFC Christopher Perry
I have only done a few of these as the NCOIC, so that part is relatively new to me. I was on a full honor team for just over seven months the first time I was here at Fort Sill. They seemed to like our team and we kept getting extended.
When the Air Force team presented the flag to my grandfather this past year, I felt a sense of pride I cannot begin to describe. I immediately followed to pay my respects to them both and my boys followed behind me. There was a bit of back and forth in the moments leading up to the service as to whether I would be presenting the flag. In the end I can honestly say I am glad the AF took it. I know the emotion I feel presenting the flag to someone I met only moments beforehand, handing to my grandmother might have been pushing it.
When the Air Force team presented the flag to my grandfather this past year, I felt a sense of pride I cannot begin to describe. I immediately followed to pay my respects to them both and my boys followed behind me. There was a bit of back and forth in the moments leading up to the service as to whether I would be presenting the flag. In the end I can honestly say I am glad the AF took it. I know the emotion I feel presenting the flag to someone I met only moments beforehand, handing to my grandmother might have been pushing it.
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LTC (Join to see)
I am proud to say that my unit volunteered for a funeral for one of our fallen brothers who was killed in Afghanistan. He was originally with the unit before going active component. When I was contacted by my old battalion XO who is currently deployed and he told me that one of his former Soldiers (he used to command the same company as I do now) and asked if I could attend as a unit representative I felt that I needed to do more. After making numerous calls I was able to secure the funeral detail and begin to pull my team together. We are all honored to do this detail and we have and will rehearse again to make it flawless tomorrow out of respect for the fallen and the family.
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