COVID-19 Update: The VA National Cemetery Administration has temporarily suspended the Military Honors ceremonies at the cemeteries due to the pandemic. Families will be allowed limited presence. Check with funeral directors about activities at non-VA cemeteries. American Legion Posts have been asked to limit their exposure at this time as well.
Two Additional Honor Guards are needed in Central Arizona. The American Legion is only one of a few Veterans Service Organizations who provide Military Honors for our deceased Veterans. Members, Honor Guard Captains, Veterans considering volunteering at their nearest Post; the Post’s who serve the National and local cemeteries in Arizona could use your help. You may even consider helping to start up an entire guard for a Post who has already retired their active group.
In metropolitan Phoenix for example, The American Legion is down to three (3) Honor Guard teams (Post 27, Post 41 and Post 94) providing services at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. The POW, MIA, KIA Honor Guard from Post 1 provides services when requested. These groups also conduct Honors at many other cemeteries.
There are also Honor Guards around Arizona, serving the other cemeteries and all are fairly at their capacity for supporting the needs in their areas.
Most of the other Honor Guard teams are nearing retirement and can’t support their required assignments due in part to their members passing away or as younger members need to go back to work.
For this need we seek please, at least two (2) more Posts to form Honor Guards to provide military services during the four (4) months they are assigned for duty at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. January, April, July, & October.
George E. Cushing
Chairman, Veterans Cemetery Committee
