Photo Credit: Joelle Mcintyre
POST #79 HONOR GUARD REACHES NEW MILESTONE
As of 31 December 2023, the eleven members of Charles S. Hatch Post #79’s Honor Guard completed their fourth year of service, performing in thirty-six events during Calendar Year 2023. Collectively, they logged 380.5 hours of service, traveling up to fifty miles to render honors at funerals.
Additionally, Honor Guard members participated in Berwick’s Memorial Day and Christmas Parades and supported the Post’s National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day, Flag Day, and Veteran’s Day observances, and supported the annual Pearl Harbor Day Observance in South Berwick.
They do this and ask for no monetary support for travel and at no cost to the families because it is important to every member of the honor guard that every veteran who has served his or her great country of ours is due respect and final honors when they pass.
With the full support of the Post and with accolades from many of the full time Air Force, Army and Navy Honor Guards, this elite group looks forward to another banner year of service – for God and country.
The Charles S. Hatch Post #79 Honor Guard Sets a New Record:
Under the leadership of Honor Guard Captain Forrest Davis, the Charles S. Hatch Post #79 Honor Guard had a record year in 2022. The nine current Honor Guard members are Army, Navy and Air Force veterans who served tours in Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, Desert Storm and Afghanistan, several of whom have been active Legionnaires for 45+ years.
During the past year, Post #79 Honor Guard members completed 383.5 person-hours of public service at 37 separate events, an increase of 64 hours from the previous year. Their “tours of duty” required travel to the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale, Maine and multiple locations in York County, Maine and Strafford County, New Hampshire.
While the vast majority of their work was done in support of military honors funerals, Honor Guard members stood tall at Post #79’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day observance, at Berwick’s Memorial Day Parade and most recently in Eliot, Maine at the Wreaths Across America celebration and kick-off.
All of them, without exception, would say that being part of the post honor guard is an honor in itself. To pay a final, respectful tribute to the service and sacrifice of our departed veterans and show the thanks of a grateful nation. For the members of this post’s Honor Guard, there is no higher honor.
Honor Guard Highlights from 2021:
The Post #79 Honor Guard did us proud in 2021. During the course of the last year, Honor Guard members completed 319.5 person-hours of public service in Maine and New Hampshire at 28 separate events. The vast majority of their work was done in support of funerals and was much appreciated by the families and friends of these departed veterans. Additionally, Honor Guard members stood tall at our Post’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day observance, at Berwick’s Memorial Day Parade and most recently in Eliot, Maine at the Wreaths Across America celebration and kick-off.
Looks like 2022 is off to a great start for the Honor Guard. Our Honor Guard Captain, Forrest Davis, advised that several new members have joined the Honor Guard this year! To request support for a funeral or special event, contact Forrest Davis at 603-948-5547 or via e-mail at davis2327fk@gmail.com.
Photo Credit: Joelle Mcintyre