About Our Honor Guard
Our Honor Guard is 5 years old. We have started by getting everyone folding the flag properly at the grave site. Sykes Funeral Home has provided support for our training here in Clarksville, Tennessee allowing us to use their facilities to practice. Our Honor Guard currently practices every other Friday evening at Syke's Funeral Home at 6pm.
Military Funeral Honors
The rendering of Military Funeral Honors for an eligible veteran is free of charge and is mandated by law.
An honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran, consists of not less than two members of the Armed Forces. One member of the detail represents the parent service of the deceased veteran.
The honor detail will be at a minimum of 3 Honor Guard Members that will perform a ceremony that includes the folding and presenting of the American flag to the next of kin and the playing of taps. When available taps will be played by a bugler, however there are a very few buglers available which that the military services may choose to provide an electronic recording of taps played by a ceremonial bugler The veteran's parent service representative will present the flag.
Funeral Honors Eligibility -
- Military members on active duty and any branch retirees -
- Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable discharge -
- Former military members who have completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the reserves and discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
The Funeral Director of the facility that is handling the service for the said Veteran, must be the one to verify eligibility of the DD214.
How do Families Request Military Funeral Honors?
Families of eligible Veteran, request is made by the Funeral Director. The funeral director will contact the appropriate military service to arrange for the funeral honors detail. The funeral director will also assist with receiving other federal and state burial benefits.
Recognitions
MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT
PROCLAMATION BY THE COUNTY MAYOR
WHEREAS, the American Legion was chartered by Congress in September 1919 as a Patriotic Veterans Organizations devoted to mutual helpfulness, programs and service to veterans, veterans' families, communities; and
WHEREAS, the American Legion is the most influential non-profit group in the United States and has nearly two million members, and worldwide has over 13,000 Posts. including the District of Columbia Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Philippines; and
WHEREAS, the American Legion Post 289 Rifle Team of Clarksville, Tennessee has honored the patriotism of veterans throughout Montgomery County since being issued a temporary charter in February 2016 and received their permanent charter on November 11, 2016; and
WHEREAS, the American Legion Post 289 is commanded by David Zeveney Jr. and under the directive of Sergeant at Arms Robert “Bob" Sisson. Post 289 has performed full military honors funerals to veterans in Clarksville-Montgomery County for many years; and
WHEREAS, during one of our nation’s worst pandemics in over 100 years, Post 289 Rifle Team continued the patriotic duty of providing full military Honors to veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Post 289 volunteered over 417 Hours and performed 32 full military honors funerals from January 2020 to June 2021. Spending countless hours training, volunteering, and putting veteran families before themselves; and
WHEREAS Post 289 Rifle Team continues to promote peace and goodwill all while maintaining their core principles of justice, freedom, and democracy. The Post continues its Americanism and Patriotic observances by educating and preparing scouts for tomorrow by taking part in parades and placing flags on heroes' graves.
NOW, THEREFORE I, JIM DURRETT, Mayor of Montgomery County Tennessee, and on the behalf of the citizens of this community, do hereby recognize the American Legion Post 289 Rifle Team for their dedication and patriotism to our great community and veterans worldwide.
Signed by Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett
Gallery
- Honor Guard Practice (18 August 2023)
- Michael Von Koeppen Funeral (21 May 2023)
- Presenting Colors at Mission BBQ (20 May 2023)
- Theodore R. Satchell Jr. Funeral (19 May 23)
- Presenting Folded Flag for Billy M. Dixon (17 Mar 23)
- Armed Forces Day at Mission BBQ (21 May 22)
- Senior Night at Ravenwood HS (8 Dec 21)
- Receiving the Proclamation from the Mayor
- Rotary Park Flag Dedication (27 Jul 21)
- Honoring One of Our Eagle Scouts (25 July 2021)
- 'Nailed IT - DIY Grand Opening (5 Jun 21)
- Armed Forces Day (15 May 21)
- Veteran's Day at Mission BBQ (Nov 20)
- Armed Forces Day (May 20)
- Flag Folding/Presenting Practice (22 March 2019)
