Funeral detail/honor guard is more than a duty. It is truly an honor.

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 15:31:32 -0400

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>

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Apr 7 at 2014 5:24 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 17:24:35 -0400

SPC Monaco, Thank you!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2014 7:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 19:50:12 -0400

That irritates the crap out of me. My Soldiers know better though that they stand at attention inside as well though so they are not just hiding!!!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 7 at 2014 7:54 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 19:54:08 -0400

Best and Worst Job I have ever done, Worst, Marking the Passing of a Shipmate. Best because you see the Esprit de Corps. I was the Flag Bearer at YN1 Shaws Funeral and the Whole 600 Man Ships Company that wasn't on duty turned out and His Honor Guard was the !st Class Mess. Pretty Impressive.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 7 at 2014 8:36 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 20:36:10 -0400

I had never performed any type of funeral detail prior to the death of my stepfather, a USAF veteran, in 1994, and my mother wanted my brother and I to fold the flag and present it to her. I did pretty good reciting the lines until my brother broke down and I had to take a second to catch myself before I was able to finish and salute the flag. About 3 months later I was the NCOIC for a detail and it was a rough one for me, having to once again recite the lines so soon after my stepfather's funeral, but it was always an honor I took to heart and executed as professionally as I could.

Response by TSgt John Marshall made Apr 9 at 2014 9:29 AM

TSgt John Marshall — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 09:29:09 -0400

I've spent the better part of 2 decades training and performing with honor guard units around the world. Now that I'm retired from the AF ('05) I train honor guard units as part of my work- but it's not not because I love what I do.

Well written, SPC Monaco, and thank you for not only your service to our country, but your above-and-beyond service to our fallen brothers- and sisters-in-arms.

Semper ad Honorem (Always for Honor)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2014 9:38 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 09:38:50 -0400

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.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2014 2:03 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:03:09 -0400

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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2014 11:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 23:56:48 -0400

It never gets old. I've been with the Honor Guard for over two years now and served at around 1800 Funeral Honors and each one of them I make sure to I've the utmost respect before, during, and after the service. I don't understand why soldiers (And marines, sailors, and airmen) shy away from helping out and affording the honor to those that came before or served with us.

I will say though that the hardest honors I do are those for our current generation. This past Tuesday I had the honor of being the detail leader for a veteran that served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Awarded the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, CIB, and other awards. When I presented the flag to the widow, I had a tear run down my face. Here was a young woman with a kid no older then 3-years old and she had to go through this. I was lucky to be able to compose myself until I got out of the area and had to take a minute before I let my other guy see me like that for the AAR. The older veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam never affect me like these younger vets.

And it's these moments that is the reason why I love doing what I'm doing. To be able to give back just a little bit of what they payed forward. I just hope with the way things are going now that I would one day be afforded the same level of care and respect that I've shown to all those that came before.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Apr 10 at 2014 12:13 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 00:13:37 -0400

Lyndsay - Thank you for sharing this story and for your dedicated service of volunteering in such an important detail. With the recent events that have shaped my family in the last month, this truly lifted my spirits. Your words said the families of the fallen, will ring in their hearts and minds for decades to come. Trust me...this means everything.

Response by SFC Jeremy Boyd made Apr 10 at 2014 5:59 PM

SFC Jeremy Boyd — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 17:59:33 -0400

I have served as Funeral Honors NCOIC a number of times while stationed at Fort Knox, and it is a very humbling experience. The gratitude of the family and friends attending the funeral after performing the flag ceremony with respect and precision is a wonderful feeling. Unfortunately, in this age of the Millenials and their "what's in it for me?" and "do I have to and why?" attitudes, it is difficult for younger Soldiers, NCOs and Officers to see it as anything but a detail.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Apr 29 at 2014 1:10 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 13:10:37 -0400

Lyndsay- Have you ever received a token of appreciation from a grateful family member after a successful honor guard event? I'm curious if there was one 'thank you' that stood out. I feel that even a small effort (after the fact) is a great way to let you and your team know how important your services were. Thanks again for your support of this detail and for taking this position so seriously.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 29 at 2014 4:21 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 16:21:26 -0400

I served in The Old Guard for four years. When I first started participating in the ceremonial duties I was told that eventually you will become 'numb' to them. I'm not sure if the individual who told me that was just cold, or if I was an exception, but I never grew 'numb' to any of them. I respect your dedication to this important service!

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Mar 10 at 2015 4:20 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 16:20:06 -0400

You, SPC Monaco, have a beautiful mind, loyalty, integrity and pride. I've read several of your posts today and you always seem to have something relevant to say.

Hoo-aaah.

Response by SSG Byron Hewett made Oct 10 at 2015 11:19 AM

SSG Byron Hewett — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 11:19:23 -0400

I share your thoughts on this, for 14 years and even now that I am retired I was apart of my units honor guard team and even attended P.E.C. and graduated with my honor Guard and Honor Guard trainer certifications. Funeral Honors is a sacred duty that should be done with great respect.
Every time I presented a flag to the next of kin it always made me feel like somebody put the squeeze on me I couldn't breath and would have to pause for a second to keep from chocking, Presenting a flag to someone is something very special and also the hardest thing you ever do or have done and it never gets easy.
when a funeral or a Honor Guard event would come up same thing would happen soldiers would disappear, I would go around and to every soldier I could and try to appeal to there sense of honor and patriotism and that is an honor and privilege to lay to rest our fallen a those who served before us and 90%of the time I was able to gather enough soldiers who would agree without argument.
Honor Guard duty was the best assignment my unit ever put me in charge of and I carried that duty as PFC all the way until I was reassigned after promoting SSG but I have always volunteered for since now that I am retired after 20 years and working in law enforcement I have been assigned again to the privilege of Honor Guard duty again, and it will always be an honor to do this service.
I hope anyone that volunteers or is assigned treats this as sacred honor and duty.

Response by TSgt Speros Zanetos made Apr 12 at 2016 7:03 AM

TSgt Speros Zanetos — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 07:03:32 -0400

Very well said, Sgt