One final salute… Carter County Honor Guard provides final honor to fallen veterans
Published 6:00 am Saturday, June 29, 2019
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders A final honor of having Taps played by the Carter County Honor Guard buglar.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders A 21-gun salute is given on behalf of the deceased veteran by the Carter County Honor Guard.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Roger Miller stands at ease awaiting the removal of the deceased veteran from the funeral hearse. Miller said it was an honor to provide this service for the fallen veterans.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Commander Kelly Greene (L) and Roger Miller (R) stand at attention as the hearse carrying the deceased veteran arrives at the cemetry.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The Carter County Honor Guard buglar awaits the time for the playing of Taps.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Members of the Carter County Honor Guard stand at attention as the American flag is being presented to the deceased veteran's family.
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
A
veteran’s final path comes to an end at the Mountain Home National Cemetery and waiting for the deceased veteran is a group of individuals donning uniforms of the four main branches of the military including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.
As the casket covered with the flag of the United States of America is placed on a podium, Commander Kelly Greene stands before family and friends of the deceased and offers heartfelt words spoken from deep within.
Those words are filled with gratitude from a nation thankful for their loved one’s service as a member of the United States Armed Forces.
As the final word of prayer is offered by Greene, Honor Guard members, who are assembled just beyond where the service is being held, follow through with instructions from their leader aiming their guns just above the location where the fallen veteran lies and offer up three volleys in what many refer to as a 21-gun salute.
Just as the echo of the shots fade off in the distance, a lone bugler stands just a short distance away from the funeral party and crisply offers up the familiar sound of Taps.
When the last note slips softly into the beautiful, blue skies on this day, Greene along with Roger Miller lift the flag and with precise moves fold the flag correctly into a tucked triangle and present Old Glory to the family of the veteran.
With the final respects given, the Carter County Honor Guard put away their guns and gloves and know within their hearts that they have performed a service which might not mean much in today’s society.
Yet, they know they have given honor to whom honor was due — a veteran whose last march has been completed and the final earthly battle has been fought in death.
The men and women who make up the Carter County Honor Guard are not compensated for their time — it is totally on a volunteer basis.
Their services are not just days scattered here and there — often they are called upon numerous times in a week, often in the same day, to present the same ceremony for families who have lost a son or daughter, father or mother, or grandparents who have served in the armed services and meet the criteria to receive military honors based upon their military service.
In the week leading up to the service at hand, eight of these same ceremonies took place. Six months into 2019 and the Honor Guard has been present for and performed 110 ceremonies as of this service.
These services have been held in Roan Mountain, Bluff City, and other local towns and cities going as far away as Greeneville.
“We don’t do this to make any political statements or make money — we do this for exactly what today is and that is honoring this veteran,” said Greene. “And we need more volunteers for this Honor Guard so that we have enough people to take care of the ceremony as well as provide a rotational basis for these services.”
The Carter County Honor Guard for the day’s ceremony was staffed by a civilian armed services historian, former Armed Service members as well as an ROTC student from Bristol’s Tennessee High School.
Miller said it was a personal honor for him to be a part of the Honor Guard.
“It’s a shame that we have as many veterans as we do that could be a part of this,” said Miller. “The reason I do this is to honor a veteran — not their death but what they have done for our country.
“These guys have been through the same things that we have been through. We have lost a couple of guys recently in our group — one to death and one to physical limitations and I am sure that 90 percent of the ones we have buried would want to be a part of what we do — it’s just special to be able to do this.”
Miller added that if anyone would like to join the Carter County Honor Guard, they are welcomed to call him at 423-543-3359 and leave a message or contact the American Legion.
