Local veterans turned out in Cornelia Friday night to honor those who honor others. The VFW Honor Guard banquet highlighted the commitment older veterans play in memorializing the lives and service of their fellow veterans. It also served as a reminder of the challenges that exist in keeping this sacred duty going.
‘It’s been a blessing’
Bill Miles retired from the army after 28 years. While on active duty, he spent six months on an honor guard. It’s an assignment he took very seriously, and one that has propelled him into years of leadership as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7720 Commander and member of the Grant-Reeves Veteran Honor Guard.
Miles comes from a long, uninterrupted line of military veterans. That lineage can be traced all the way back to the Civil War. Both that heritage and his own experiences have created a desire to serve his community. “Many of us in this honor guard had active duty experience as part of an honor guard,” he says. “When we left the military, we wanted to keep on – to provide continuous service.”
Miles also points out the importance of the honor guard as well as other programs that provide veterans help in transitioning from the military back into the world. “It’s a tough transition for our veterans,” he emphasizes, “and they need the support of other veterans who have some idea of what they’ve gone through.”
Former Commander Donald Tench agrees. At The Grant-Reeves Veteran Honor Guard Banquet on Friday night, Tench was recognized as the first commander of the guard and for his 60 years of service to it.
Tench served in the Army in Korea and is proud of the time he’s spent in the Honor Guard. “It’s been a blessing,” he said. “The camaraderie with the other members of the guard, doing something for the community – it’s been important to me.”
Over a half-century of service
For over 50 years, The Grant-Reeves Veteran Honor Guard has participated in funeral services each year throughout Habersham and other Northeast Georgia counties. Miles shared more recent statistics: “This Honor Guard served at 497 funerals from May 2016 – April 2022, giving veterans a proper military burial.
The guard has traveled as far as LaGrange, Ellijay, Buford, Royston, and the Amazon Facility in Pendergrass. The guard offers a 3-volley salute (not to be mistaken for a 21-gun salute), the playing of Taps, and the folding and presentation of the American flag to the family. Miles explains, “We want every veteran to be honored for his service to his country.”
According to the United States Department of Defense, military funeral honors are the “final demonstration a grateful nation can provide and it is our commitment to recognize the sacrifice and contributions of our nation’s veterans.” Military funerals require at least two members of our Armed Forces; one of those must be from the military branch of the deceased veteran.
Sadly, the guard doesn’t have the ability to fulfill every request it receives. And, it is not the only one. Veteran honor guards across the country are disappearing as members pass away or have physical disabilities. Miles states that younger veterans tend not to join veteran support organizations. “We’re having a hard time [recruiting] Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to get involved in these organizations,” he says.
Miles shared that the Honor Guard stepped up during Covid restrictions to make sure that all veterans received military honors. “We were told we couldn’t continue to do funerals, but we were not going to stand by and watch veterans not get the military honors they deserve.” He went on to explain that every veteran in the guard had already risked his life for his country. He asked, “Why would they start worrying about it now? They were ready to sacrifice their lives again if that’s what it took.” Surprisingly, not one member of the Honor Guard ended up with Covid.
In addition to funerals, the Honor Guard also participates in public events such as Veterans Day ceremonies. The guard is comprised of volunteer veterans from the VFW, VFW Auxillary, Disabled American Veterans and American Legion. The Honor Guard visits local schools to teach the students how to properly handle the American flag, how to properly hoist and remove the flag, and how to fold it. Sometimes, they also are invited to local schools for career day.
A hopeful future
As members of the honor guard, their supporters, and families gathered Friday at The Food Factory on Main, it was clear that their commitment to service remains a driving force in their lives. So much so, in fact, that efforts are now underway to expand VFW’s involvement in the community despite recruitment challenges.
Jim Morgan, the Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 7720, wants to create a Color Guard for things like parades and national celebrations. “I already have two rifles being stripped and refinished to begin a Color Guard,” Morgan told the Honor Guard members at the banquet. Morgan also hopes to raise money to purchase new rifles for Honor Guard members to use and for a van to transport guard members to funerals and events.
If you, or anyone you know, is interested in being part of The Grant-Reeves Veteran Honor Guard, contact the Veteran Center through their website, or call them at (706) 778-4981.
