Military Funeral Honor Guard

Next Honor Guard training:

An audio file of the actual

John F. Kennedy’s Funeral.

The firing of three volleys, traditional at every
serviceman's funeral, followed by taps.

The Post 244 of Pottsgrove, PA Honor Guard is Department of Defense Military Funeral Honors certified, including firing party and graveside services for families of deceased veterans at each military funerals.  The riflemen perform the military funeral custom of firing three (rifle) volleys.  At that time The Flag of our Country is folded and on behalf of a grateful nation, presented to the next of kin. The then bugler plays taps to end the service.

 This service is available for any veteran upon request by the deceased veterans’ family.

Firing three volleys at military funerals:

The 21-gun salute is often confused with the symbolic act of firing three volleys at military funerals, but these are two completely different rituals.

 The "21-gun salute" is, as the name states, a salute (i.e., an expression of welcome, goodwill, or respect), and in that context the word "gun" refers to naval guns or artillery pieces (typically canon), not firearms.

 The firing of three (rifle) volleys at military funerals is technically not a salute but rather a funereal custom, perhaps derived from a superstition of discharging firearms to frighten evil spirits away from the grave, or possibly a recreation of the act of firing three volleys to signal the end of a temporary truce (called to allow each side to clear their dead and wounded from the battlefield).

 Even when a military funeral detail includes seven members (each of whom fires his rifle a total of three times), this ritualistic act is something distinctly different and separate from the custom of saluting dignitaries by firing 21 guns in their honor.

 Funeral Honors Ceremony

“Honoring Those Who Serve”

The American Legion assisting as an “Authorized Provider”

 In the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2000, the United States Congress legislated that, upon request of the next of kin, all eligible veterans MUST receive Military Funeral Honors when they pass on.   

At a minimum, the funeral honors will consist of a two-person uniformed military detail, with at least one member representing the parent service of the deceased.

 The legislation also encourages veterans’ service organizations, and others, to augment the honors detail as an authorized provider with pallbearers, firing party, bugler and color guard.

 The American Legion has performed thousands of burial ceremonies annually for the families of veterans throughout their history; this will not change.  Over the years the organization has adopted certain ways and means that may differ from other groups.  This does not mean they are wrong or improper, just different.

 Whenever The American Legion is assisting the United States Government they should conform to the DOD’s methods of conduct.  In working together, we honor, in the highest traditions of American military service, those who have gone before.  In doing so, all the requirements for a reverent, respectful, and dignified ceremony are met.

 The individual military services will provide training to an authorized provider assisting with the ceremony to include positioning, timing, safety, and proper funeral honors protocol.

 The following represents DOD guidance on the rendering of Military Funeral Honors.  By law, the Military Funeral Honors detail will consist of at least two uniformed members of the military, with the detail leader from the parent service of the deceased.  When requested by the next of kin, the ceremonial paying of respect and gratitude to those who have faithfully defended our Nation MUST include the following:

 ¨      The sounding of “Taps” and ceremonial folding and presentation of the American flag.

(The flag is always presented by the detail leader.)

The detail leader will coordinate all arrangements with the funeral director, other member(s) of the military honors detail, and with Authorized Providers, such as The American Legion.  He or she will ensure the funeral director explains military honors to the family, and that they understand the honors to be performed.  It is especially important the family know about the firing of three volleys, if a firing party is present.  Additional Military Funeral Honors elements should be in accordance with the family’s wishes.

Once the detail leader has completed initial coordination, his or her final pre-interment responsibility is to train and rehearse the detail.

 It is important for all involved to remember the detail leader bears the responsibility for all aspects of the Military Funeral Honors Ceremony, whether active duty service members or Authorized Providers perform those elements of the honors.

 Positioning/Timing Protocol

 1.      The order of the ceremony is the sounding of “Taps,” the folding of the flag, and then the presentation of the flag to the family.  If there is a firing party, the volleys are fired before the sounding of “Taps.”  The detail leader is responsible for ensuring each step in the ceremony is executed properly, from the arrival of the funeral cortege to its departure.

2.      The bugler and color guard should be placed at the gravesite so they are in view of the family, approximately 30-40 yards from the grave.  The firing party should also be in view of the family, but 45-75 yards from the grave, positioned to fire over the grave.

 3.      The firing party may include three to eight riflebearers, reflecting the American military custom of firing “three volleys of musketry” over the graves of fallen comrades.

 4.      The Military Honors detail should be positioned near where the hearse will stop.  After the funeral procession has arrived, the funeral director will open the rear of the hearse and the pallbearers should move into position so they can move easily to the back of the hearse when needed.

 5.      When the family is ready to proceed, the funeral director will signal the pallbearers to withdraw the casket from the hearse and carry it to the grave.  The bugler, firing party and color guard are already in their gravesite positions.

 6.      All detail participants (except for the pallbearers) will come to “Attention” and “Present Arms” as the casket is carried to the grave.  All detail participants will “Order arms” after the casket has been placed on the lowering device.  Pallbearers may be instructed to hold the flag over the casket, or move off as a group and stand in formation for the service.

 7.      During the committal or religious service, all the detail participants may go to “Parade Rest.”

 8.      When the committal or religious service is completed, the service representative and assistant will assume the clergy representative’s position at the head of the grave and all detail participants will come to the position of “Attention.”  Then, the funeral director will ask the mourners to stand for the rendering of honors.

 9.      Once the mourners have risen, the detail leader and all elements will execute “Present Arms,” volleys will be fired, and “Taps” sounded.  Upon completion of “Taps,” all will “Order Arms” and the funeral director will request the mourners to be seated.

 10. Next the flag is folded.  The two person military detail, the pallbearers, or a combination of the two can do this.  Once the flag is folded, it MUST end up in the hands of the detail assistant, who will pass it to the detail leader.

 11. The detail leader will present the flag to the next of kin.  (The wording accompanying the presentation should be in accordance with each Military Service’s tradition of expressing the thanks of a grateful Nation.)

 12. Following the flag presentation, the detail leader will offer condolences to the remainder of the immediate family and other mourners seated in the front row.  It is appropriate and encouraged for a representative of the Authorized Provider to offer condolences after the detail leader.

 13. Once condolences have been offered, the detail leader and assistant will return to the cortege arrival point and await the departure of the cortege.  The bugler, firing party and color guard are released when the detail leader departs the gravesite.  They may choose to remain in place until the family departs, or can return quietly to their own vehicles.

 It is the sacred obligation of all Americans to honor our deceased veterans by performing these time-honored duties in the best tradition of the decedent’s Service.  America’s veterans like The American Legion are helping to fulfill that obligation by supplementing the effort of the Military Services.

 Authorized Providers may receive reimbursement for certain expenses incurred in the rendering of Military funeral Honors.  The assigned military unit can assist in obtaining the reimbursement.  Upon completion of the ceremony, the detail leader MUST ensure the required information on the Military Funeral Honors Data Collection Form is completed and submitted to the tasked organization. 

As an authorized provider of military funeral honors, The American Legion is the Nation’s representative for this most hallowed event.  The Legion’s dignified participation reflects the professionalism of our own service to the Nation, and leaves a lasting impression on everyone present – a source of pride and support for the veteran’s family, the friends and a grateful nation.

 The above are the guidelines to follow if The American Legion is assisting as an Authorized Provider.

 If The American Legion is conducting the ceremony without the presence of a military detail, established Legion protocol and tradition may be followed in rendering honors to a veteran who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Post 244 Military Funeral Honor Guard

click 2005, 2006 or 2007 to view those years Funeral Services attended

Post 244 Honor Guard for 2005

Post 244 Honor Guard for 2006

Post 244 Honor Guard for 2007

Post 244 Honor Guard for 2008

DoD Detail
1LT Michael Parker

flag folded by 1LT Parker & Billy Worrell

Willard Bickel, Chaplain

Firing Squad:  Calvin Miller, Wally LaCoste, Billy Worrell

Lee Wesner, bugler "Bugles For Veterans"

Highland Memorial Park
Pottstown, PA

December 27, 2008

    

 

Firing Squad Leader:  Calvin Miller
Wally La Coste, John Cassidy
Billy Worrell, Larry McCann

Flag folded & presented:
Billy Worrell & John Cassidy

Willard Bickel, Chaplain

Lee Wesner, bugler "Bugles For Veterans"

 DoD Detail
WO1 Matthew Gerson, SFC Patricia Gerber-O’Shea (Bugler)

Billy Worrell, Chuck Kropp, Larry McCann, Wally La Coste,
Firing Squad Leader:  Calvin Miller ,
Willard Bickel, Chaplain

Lee Wesner, bugler "Bugles For Veterans"

DoD Detail
MAJ  Robert L. Kress Jr.

Fred Kern, bugler

DoD Detail
A1C Nic Fonken, Amn Lance Ray,  SrA Kent Campbell

Firing Squad:  John Cassidy, Joan Alexander, Wally LaCoste

Lee Wesner, bugler "Bugles For Veterans"

(file photo)

Sara H. Kent, Pipe Sergeant

Firing Squad:  Calvin Miller, Larry McCann, Billy Worrell

Fritz Kern, bugler

DoD Detail
HMCS Griffing, PR2 Joseph Comfort, CDR Paul Salamy

Calvin Miller, Chaplain

Firing Squad Leader:  Billy Worell
Firing Squad:  Calvin Miller, Wally LaCoste, Joan Alexander

Lee Wesner, bugler "Bugles For Veterans"

DoD Detail
AME2 Daniel Saletink, HMCS Griffing, AA Josuah Santana

Firing Squad Leader:  Billy Worrell
Firing Squad:   Joan Alexander,  John Cassidy, Chuck Kropp

Lee Wesner, bugler "Bugles For Veterans"

POW for 21 months in the German Prison Camp Stalag 17.

DoD Detail
LTC Daniel Bohr, 1LT Lou Rettenberg

Willard Bickel, Chaplain

Firing Squad Leader:  Calvin Miller
Firing Squad:   Wally La Coste,  Chuck Kropp, Billy Worrell

Lee Wesner, bugler "Bugles For Veterans"

DoD Detail
SSG Jerame Dooly & Emile Williamson

Willard Bickel, Chaplain
"Veteran of the Battle of the Bulge"

Firing Squad Leader:  Calvin Miller
Firing Squad:   Wally La Coste,  Chuck Kropp, Billy Worrell,
Larry McCann, Bill Kain

Lee Wesner, bugler "Bugles For Veterans"

Willard Bickel, Chaplain
"Veteran of the Battle of the Bulge"

Firing Squad Leader:  Calvin Miller
Firing Squad:   Wally La Coste,  Chuck Kropp, Billy Worrell

Lee Wesner, bugler "Bugles For Veterans"

Willard Bickel, Chaplain
"Veteran of the Battle of the Bulge"

Firing Squad Leader:  Calvin Miller
Firing Squad:   Joan Alexander,  Larry McCann, Billy Worrell

Robert Sabo, bugler "CWV - Catholic War Veterans"

Long Funeral Home
Bethlehem, PA

Charles Kropp, Chaplain

Firing Squad Leader:  Calvin Miller
Firing Squad:   Wally La Coste,  Chuck Kropp, Billy Worrell

Eugene Johnson, bugler

    
(file photo)                                                                                                      (file photo) 

DoD Detail
SFC Joe Broderick assisted by Billy Worrell

l. to r. Firing Squad:   Jonathan Jenkins, Calvin Miller (Firing Squad Leader)
Chuck Kropp, Billy Worrell, Willard Bickel (Chaplain)

Lee Wesner, bugler "Bugles For Veterans"

'Missing Man Flyby'

DoD Detail
Amn Sara Rocero-Barrett, A1C Bryan Oliver

(file photo)

DoD Detail
SSGT Robert Taylor
SRA Harry Landis
A1C Omar Hay
A1C Jeffrey Brant
SRA Nicholas Cross
A1C Terrence Davis
A1c General McKenzie

Willard Bickel, Chaplain

Willard Bickel, Chaplain

DoD Detail
SFC Don Magee & COL James A. George

DoD Detail
HMCS Griffing, YN2 (AW) Adrian Bracamonte

DoD Detail
SFC Eric Flowers, SFC Patricia Gerber-O’Shea

DoD Detail
SRA Gary V. Luck, A1C Jason Melendez, A1C Raymond Popp

Frank Strunk, President Pottstown Chapter 565
Vietnam Veterans of America
 

Tom McKeown, Piper
"Chester County Emerald Society Pipes & Drums"
 

Tom McKeown, USMC

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Willard Bickel, Chaplain

Firing Squad Leader:  Calvin Miller
Firing Squad:   Wally La Coste, Chuck Kropp, Larry McCann, Billy Worrell,
John Cassidy, Bob Emery (VVA), Larry Banus (VVA)

Paige & her Daddy

Flag folded by John Cassidy & Billy Worrell

Flag presented by Calvin Miller

(l. to r. Willard Bickel, John Cassidy, Calvin Miller, Wally Lacoste, Larry McCann, Lee Wesner)

(l. to R. Chuck Kropp, John Butterfield, Bill Kain, Wally Lacoste, Willard Bickel, Lee Wesner)

DoD Detail
MAJ Robert L. Kress Jr., SGT Amanda Henderson

supporting Pottstown & Boyertown Funeral Homes:

Catagnus F.H., Pottstown, PA

Houck & Gofus F.H., Pottstown, PA 

Linwood W. Ott F.H., Boyertown, PA 

Schumacher & Benner F.H., Pottstown, PA 

Warker-Troutman F.H., Pottstown, PA

Miscellaneous Honor Guard stuff

Honor Guard training Sanatoga, PA - August 2005

(Bob, Bradley & Billy)

Honor Guard pizza party - September 16, 2005

Click on the photo to enlarge:

I want to send a personal thank you to

"Walt Kuleck"  &  "Clint McKee"

of The Fulton Armory

http://www.fulton-armory.com/

for correctly diagnosing and correcting

malfunctioning and misfiring

issues on our DoD

ceremonial Garand's.

Thank you

Bradley, Wally, Chuck & Billy

for all your hard work

refurbishing these old M1's.