HONOR GUARD HANDBOOK AND GUIDELINES

Honor Guard uniform items may be ordered through the American Legion Flag and Emblem catalog or through emblem.legion.org. Some items may be ordered through the Uniform Warehouse catalog or through UniformW.com.

Once the items are received the member should submit the completed Expense and Reimbursement Request Form and paid, initialed receipt, which should contain the description of the item/items and total cost to the Post 281 Finance Officer.

Attachment 1 – Post 281 Expense and Reimbursement Request Form

Uniform cap
The blue service cap shall have the Tennessee Old Hickory emblem on the front of the cap. The Honor Guard patch or pin shall be affixed to the upper right hand side of the cap.

The service cap will be purchased by the member.

Uniform shirts
White shirts both long and short sleeve will have shoulder epaulets and button flap pockets. Affixed to the shirt will be small American Legion collar pins, above the left pocket the name plate and service pin. An M-1 Garand pin may be attached to the left pocket flap. The Honor Guard patch will be sewn on the
upper left sleeve and the branch of service patch will be sewn on the upper right sleeve. A yellow rope will be attached to the left shoulder epaulet. The American Legion blue tie will be worn with both short and long sleeve shirts. (Such that the tie ends as close to the belt buckle as possible) Tie bars or tacks are recommended but not required.

Uniform slacks
Navy blue slacks will be worn with a white web belt and gold military buckle. (Such that the tab is as close to the buckle as possible)

The slacks will be purchased by the member.

Uniform gloves
White cotton ceremonial gloves in light weight or winter weight will be worn.

Shoes
Black shoes (preferably polished or patent leather) will be worn.

This item will be purchased by the member.

Uniforms coats
The blue waist jacket can be worn with or without the lining, and will have the Honor Guard patch sewn to the left front of the jacket. The American Legion patch will be sewn to the upper right sleeve and the
U.S. flag will be sewn on the upper left sleeve. The name tag will be affixed to the left front of the jacket.
(The all-weather rain coat is being evaluated and will not be ordered pending a decision on an alternate provision.) The all-weather rain coat can be worn with or without the lining, with the large American Legion pin affixed to the right collar and the branch of service pin affixed to the left collar.

Planning and Scheduling a request for Military Honors

Generally the funeral home who is handling the funeral arrangements will contact the Honor Guard Captain or a designated Honor Guard member. The following information must be obtained: Date and time the Honor Guard needs to be in place. Name, age and branch of service of the deceased veteran. Name of the funeral home, and Location where the military honors will be rendered.

Note: The military requires a form DD214 or other proof of service and honorable discharge to authorize the use of the U.S. flag and military honors.

Optionally: Print and enclose instructions in a Post 281 envelope, for family members wanting to submit a request for a Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC). Instructions and Application

Funeral Procedures for Military Honors

The Honor Guard Captain or designated member will insure the weapons are loaded and are in proper working order.
Arrive at the funeral site at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.
The Honor Guard Captain or designated member will meet with the service members from the military branch assigned to fold/present the flag and play taps. The Honor Guard team will follow the lead of the military service members.
The proper location for the team to fire from will be determined by the Honor Guard Captain based on safety and military protocol.
The Honor Guard Captain or designated member will call the commands to accomplish the firing in a military manner.

Description of Military Commands at the discretion of the Honor Guard Captain

The Honor Guard will Fall In at parade rest.
Call to Attention and Present Arms when the hearse is approaching.
Order Arms and Parade Rest when the hearse stops.
Attention and Present Arms when the casket is removed from the hearse.
Order arms when the casket is placed at the grave site.
Call to Attention and Port Arms when the lead military member salutes the casket or the flag is opened and “popped”.

Firing commands:

Ready (half step forward with left foot)
Aim (Move the weapon to a standing firing position with barrel pointing approximately 45 degrees away and up from the line formation)
Fire (Pull trigger, Return the weapon to port arms, but do not move left foot)
Aim
Fire (second shot) (Return the weapon to port arms, but do not move left foot)
Aim
Fire (third shot) (Return the weapon to port arms and retract left foot)
Present arms while Taps is played.

Closing commands:

Order Arms after the playing of Taps is complete.
Present Arms while the flag is presented to the next of kin.
Order Arms after military service members leave the service area. Fall Out (quietly retrieve the brass)
After brass is collected, Fall In, Attention, Right/Left Face, Port Arms, Forward March, Route Step March.

The team will march back to the vehicle, while the Honor Guard Captain or designated member delivers the spent brass to the funeral director or family representative.

Flag Folding Procedures and Playing Taps

Two Honor Guard members may fold the U.S. flag during a funeral ceremony. The flag will be draped on the coffin with the blue field at the head of the casket and to the left shoulder. The member at the head of the casket will be the one providing the silent commands regarding taking possession of the flag and controlling the folds. The member at the foot of the casket will fold the flag and present it to the lead member. The folding member will salute the flag and step back. The lead member will present the flag to the designated next of kin and recite the condolence as designated by the veteran’s branch of service. Effective April 17, 2012, the Department of Defense standardized the flag presentation verbiage for military funeral honors ceremonies. The following verbiage will be used when presenting the American flag during the funeral service: ‘On behalf of the President of the United States, (the United States Army; the United States Marine Corps; the United States Navy; the United States Air Force; or the United States Coast Guard), and a grateful Nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.’ After which, the Honor Guard member will take one step back, come to attention and salute the flag and slowly return to attention. Both members will then depart the area in a military manner.

Attachment 2 – U. S. Flag Folding Procedures

An Honor Guard member may play Taps using the electronic bugle. Prior to the service, the bugle will be checked to ensure the batteries are good. The member will take a position as appropriate to the location of the service. Taps will be played after the three round volley.

Color Guard

The term Color Guard is used to describe Honor Guard members preforming flag ceremonies at special events.

Flagstaffs should be adjusted prior to the event to ensure they are as close to the same height as possible in the carry position as well as the posted position. Flag bearers should learn the position of the left hand in order to achieve this alignment.

The proper order in a line formation is viewing from left to right, a Lead Guard (LG), the U.S. Flag bearer and Color Guard Sergeant (CSG), Subordinate flag bearers (Sub) and the Trail Guard (TG). The column formation follows the same order from beginning to end. Unless the flags are in protective coverings they should always be transported from point to point by the color guard in a proper formation and in the carry position. Route Step-March may be used as necessary.

When ‘Posting and Retrieving’ or ‘Presenting’ the colors. The direction the color guard enters and exits the ‘stage’ in a column formation will determine any special commands and movements they must preform.

If ‘Posting’ and entering from stage right the command Left Only-March will be required (in marching). If ‘Retrieving’ and exit to stage left the command Left Only-March will be required (from Attention).

When ‘Retrieving’ and entering from stage right, the Color Guard Sergeant (CGS) must be in the appropriate position and the exit stage direction will determine any special commands.

When ‘Presenting’ and entering from stage right the command Right Only-March will be required. When ‘Presenting’ and exiting to stage left the command Left Only-March will be required (from Attention).

These commands are specific to color guard functions:

Colors–Fall In – brings the ‘detail’ to Parade Rest. Parade Rest being the usual for rifles. Flag bearers – moving left hand to small of back and right foot and flagstaff to shoulder width while extending the flagstaff with the right hand.
Attention – Guards come to the position of attention and immediately come to Port Arms or Right Shoulder Arms. Flag bearers – Assume the “Carry” position of attention. U.S. Flag – immediately raises the flagstaff with the right hand until the right hand is in front of the face, using the left hand for assistance/guidance. The left hand should then be positioned at the bottom of the staff just below the belt buckle or on the carrier prepositioned there. Sub flag bearers (after a count of 3) raise their flags and position their hands and flagstaffs in the same position as the U.S. Flag. (aka the Carry Position)
Post, the flag bearers place their flags in the respective stands. (U.S. flag to the left as viewed) Flag bearers will face the flags and take 1 step back into formation and come to Present-Arms.
Left Only-March – (From Attention) The Lead Guard (LG), (to the right of the U.S. Flag) takes one step forward and executes a Left Flank on the next step. The remainder of the color guard begins to Mark Time. As the (LG) passes the U.S. Flag, the (CSG) steps out and executes the Left Flank movement following the (LG). Subsequent flag bearers and guard follow suit. (In Marching) The Lead Guard executes a Left Flank and begins Marking Time. The remainder of the color guard continues marching forward until passing the bearer that was ahead of him/her, then executing a Left Flank and starting to Mark Time. Please see the diagram in the appendix.
Right Only-March – (In Marching) The Lead Guard executes a Right Flank and begins to Mark Time. The U.S. Flag (CGS) passes by the (LG) and executes a Right Flank and begins to Mark Time. Subsequent flag bearers and guard follow suit.
Re-Tire – Guards come to Present-Arms. Sub flag bearers lower their flags to Parade-Rest. After a count of 3 the U.S. Flag bearer lowers the flag to Parade-Rest and the Guards then Order-Arms and come to Parade-Rest.

Posting/Retrieving Colors

The Color Guard will Fall In at parade rest. The Color Guard Sergeant will call, Colors_-Attention (flag bearers bring staffs to the “carry position“, guards come to port arms or right shoulder arms) and Colors_ Forward-March. The team will march to the place where the flags will be posted and come to mark time and as needed by command or silently turn in place to face the stands. Mark time until the Color Guard Sergeant calls Colors_-Halt. At the command Post, the flags are placed in their respective stands. (U.S. flag to the left as viewed) Flag bearers will face the flags and take 1 step back into formation and the Color Guard Sergeant calls Present-Arms. The Color Guard will hold the salute through the playing of the National Anthem or other patriotic song. After the song, or not, the Color Guard Sergeant calls Order-Arms (guards return to port arms or right shoulder arms). Facing commands as needed and Colors_- Forward-March.

When ‘Retrieving’ and entering from stage right, the Color Guard Sergeant (CGS) must be in the appropriate position and the exit stage direction will determine any special commands. See Attached -(under construction). The Color Guard Sergeant gives the command “Color Guard, Retrieve-the-Colors ” again, march to the posted flags. When they are in position (marking time and turning in place to face the flags, until the command “Colors_-Halt“). Then the command Present-Arms. Upon the command Order-Arms the flag bearers will retrieve the flags and guards return to port arms or right shoulder arms. If exiting stage Left, About-Face, Left Only-March. If exiting stage Right, Right-Face, Forward-March.

Presentation of the Colors

Aka – Show & Go

Commands:

The Color Guard will Fall-In at parade rest. There may be several varying column commands enroute to the entrance to the arena where the stage is located. Once at the staging area commands should be given to bring the column to a halt – Colors_-Halt. No facing commands should be used. Order – Arms, Parade – Rest, At – Ease, or Rest may follow depending on timing of the event. Upon the command, Order-Arms, Guards move rifles appropriately to the ground and assume the position of attention. Sub flag bearers move flags to the ground and then (after a count of 3) the U.S Flag bearer moves the flag to the ground and assumes the position of attention.

At the appropriate time (beginning of the event) the commands: Colors_-Fall In – brings the ‘detail’ to Parade Rest. Parade Rest being the usual for rifles. Flag bearers – moving left hand to small of back and right foot and flagstaff to shoulder width while extending the flagstaff with the right hand.

Colors_-Attention – Guards come to the position of attention and immediately go on to Port Arms or Right Shoulder Arms. Flag bearers – Assume the “Carry” position of attention. U.S. Flag – immediately raises the flagstaff with the right hand until the right hand is in front of the face, using the left hand for assistance/guidance. The left hand should then be positioned at the bottom of the staff just below the belt buckle or on the carrier prepositioned there. Sub flag bearers (after a count of 3) raise their flags and position their hands and flagstaffs in the same position as the U.S. Flag. (aka the Carry Position)

Enter Stage Left– Forward-March, Column Left/Right-March, Mark time-March (and by command or silently turn in place to face the audience)

Enter Stage Right – Forward-March, Column Left/Right-March, Right Only-March See “Enter Stage Right” attached.

Colors_-Halt

Present-Arms – Guards as usual. Sub flag bearers extend their right hand with flagstaff as far as possible.

Music Plays – Singer(s) Sing

Colors_- Order-Arms – Guards return to previous position (Port Arms or Right Shoulder Arms). Sub flag bearers return to the Carry Position.

Exit Stage Right– Right-Face, Forward-March

Exit Stage Left– Left Only-March See “Exit Stage Left” attached.

For additional information regarding U. S. Flag protocol see the attached Title 4 USC.

Attachment 3 – Title 4 USC – The Flag

Weapons/Ammunition Security, Storage, Maintenance and Return

The weapons are currently stored in a climate controlled rental storage facility. The weapons are in a gun safe within the storage unit. Access to the storage unit is limited to 3 Honor Guard members with key access to the storage unit and the combination to the gun safe.

A log is maintained regarding the number of times each rifle is fired. The rifles are cleaned periodically as needed, per the “M1 Garand Operation, Safety and Maintenance Guide”. This guide is maintained in the gun safe with the rifles.

Per the TACOM Army website the receiving organization (Post 281) is responsible for any repair or parts to the rifles.

To return rifles Post 281 should contact: “The Army Donations Program Office”. www.tacom.army.mil

The rifles are required to be inventoried every 3 years in March, with the last inventory being March 2023. The completed inventory form must be sent to:

USATACOM LCMC
ATTN: AMSTA-LCL-IFD, M/S: 419D
6501 E. 11 Mile Road
Detroit Arsenal, MI 48397-5000

The inventory forms are located with the M1 Maintenance Guide in the gun safe.

Attachment 4 – Army Donations Program Office Letter and Inventory Form

Ammunition/Clip Ordering Procedures

Ammunition is ordered by completing AMSJM Form 725-1, Apr 2021.

Clips are ordered by completing AMSJM Form 725-2, Jan 2021.

Blank forms contain mailing information and are located in the M1 Maintenance Guide in the gun safe.

Storage Unit

The storage unit contract and monthly payment are taken care of by the Post 281 Finance Officer.

Attachment 5 – Post Storage Unit Inventory Form

Attachment 6 – Color Guard Show & Go diagrams

Attachment 7 – Color Guard Posting the Colors diagram