Contributed by: Aaron Tucker, Jr. Vice Commander

Our December 7, 2024 American Legion Harry C Miller Post 1187 flag folding class went great. Larry and I had about 10 members attend, and each was provided with an ample opportunity to practice their flag folding skills. While there are always things we can improve upon, such as having some of the regular VSO team in attendance to help with the actual ceremonial process itself, we now have a few more people within our small organization that can assist moving forward with ceremonial honors. We hope we can get all those who are interested in volunteering incorporated into the regular fold (pun intended) of community service and Americanism.

Additionally, I was asked to provide a quick synopsis on my background in the Honor Guard. Within my 24 year Army career, including active duty and National Guard, I spent several years as the Colorado State Honor Guard State Training Officer as an additional duty. In this time, I volunteered for approximately 1400 honor guard missions, burying those who served in all 5 branches of the military (pre-Space Force).

My role required significant training and getting tabbed by The Old Guard, learning a great deal of related military history, and then writing the SOP for the Colorado State Honor Guard. I then travelled across Colorado and trained several VSO groups and military units (primarily Army and AF) on proper flag folding techniques, ceremonial procedures, and uniform standards. Over approximately 5 years, I completed hundreds of full honor ceremonies as well as several hundred basic ceremonies to include the playing of Taps, flag folding, OIC, and rifleman. These ceremonies were performed across the state and often included collaboration and coordination with different VSO groups.

In my professional opinion it is important for all volunteers to understand all roles within a ceremony to ensure team members are interchangeable and the ceremony and serviceman are truly honored. Hiccups are inevitable, and having all VSO members fully trained and prepared to jump in where needed ensures the best possible outcome for every ceremony.

Larry and I have already discussed having another training session, with hopes of our current VSO team in attendance, to provide the American Legion way of doing the ceremony. Once this is confirmed we will be sure to announce and encourage your continued participation.

Thank you to all those who attended and assisted others in this months training event.