Color Guard
American Legion Harford Post 39 designates a “Color Guard” as a unit that presents the colors at various public events such as parades, school activities, veteran functions, and patriotic programs. The color guard may be as simple as carrying the American, POW/MIA, and Legion flags, or it may consist of a full color guard unit that adds all of the military branch flags, as well as Women’s Auxiliary and SAL colors. A rifle escort is always included for the American flag.
Flag precedence in both static displays and marching formations are in accordance with the regulations outlined various Legion and Military documents.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A COLOR GUARD FOR YOUR EVENT, please email colorguard@alpost39.org .
American Legion Honor Guard
American Legion Harford Post 39 designates an “Honor Guard” as a unit that provides funeral and/or graveside ceremonies in conjunction with the local funeral home. This unit may perform all aspects of the ceremony if there are no active military personnel available, or at the funeral director’s request after consultation with the family. The ceremony would consist of flag folding & presentation, playing of taps, and a rifle salute.
In most cases there will be active duty military available for the flag folding ceremony and the playing of taps. They provide the ceremony commander or leader. The Post provides flag bearers for the American, POW/MIA, Military Branch, and Legion colors.
The Honor Guard must present a professional and dignified presence at these ceremonies. Anything less dishonors the family, and the veteran whom we are honoring. The families are always appreciative of our presence during these services.
To request an Honor Guard, please contact your Funeral Director; the Funeral Director will contact the Honor Guard Commander. In order to qualify for an Honor Guard, the Funeral Director must have a copy of the veteran’s DD-214 as proof of military service. We are not responsible for, nor do we have the ability to, supply the veteran’s DD-214 to the Funeral Director. If you need assistance with obtaining the Veteran’s DD-214 or other proof of service, please follow this link: Request Your Military Service Records (including DD214) | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)
