An honor guard, or ceremonial guard, is a special unit, Police, Fire departments, and EMS in nature and composed of volunteers who are carefully screened for their exceptional strength and skillfulness, as well as their incomparable performance on duty. Only the most exceptional representatives who are highly motivated and maintain superbly high standards of appearance and behavior and show talent for ceremonial duty are likely to be honored with the duties of their particular honor guard. Special Honor guard uniforms are designated for the men and women chosen for this special duty. Each branch of uniformed occupation has a special unit, Police, Fire departments, and EMS departments have their own Honor Guard uniform.
Tag: formal
The Civil Servant’s Honor Guard
“No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” Calvin Coolidge
- Every 57 hours a Law Enforcement Officer is killed in the line of duty.
- Each year in the United States, approximately 100 firefighters are killed while on duty and tens of thousands are injured
- On average 150 Law Enforcement Officers are killed each year.
Honoring Local Heroes
The Guard’s Motto
“Hero’s are not dead until they are forgotten. The Honor Guard never forgets!”
The Guard’s Creed
….I will perform in humble reverence to the best of my capacity. It is those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice that commands the respect I protect, and it is their bravery that made us so proud.
In general, Honor Guards are associated with the military, but local heroes are served by Honor Guards around the country as these brave civil servants put their lives on the line. Most Honor Guard members have attended formal training at Fire Colleges and/or are EMS trained guards. They also represent their factions as they march in the local community celebration parades, attended new station grand openings (ring in-service), and participated in award ceremonies, as well as various other social functions and duties.
Although they may represent different groups, EMT’s, Firefighters, and etc, all honor guards have the same mission; to strive to honor firefighters, and others who give their lives in service to others in life, as well as death, and to exhibit the best possible image to the entire community. They accomplish this with the highest degree of professionalism, dedication, loyalty, honor and dignity possible. Their purpose is to represent these local heroes by projecting a positive image, and performing as a well-trained team at events and formal occasions as appropriate. In addition to funerals and memorial services, the honor guard may be called on to post colors, march in parades, attend new station grand openings, social functions, and assist the families of our fallen brothers and sisters during their time of need.
Usually, an Honor Guard is available to assist and/or work in conjunction with other honor guards for “Line of Duty” funerals and memorial services for all Fire, EMS and Police personnel as requested. All members of any honor guard must learn Military Drill and Ceremonies and perform to satisfaction of the group before they may perform with the group and obtain his/her uniform that properly represents the group they are honoring. Honor Guards perform at many various occasions and perform more functions than the most revered, to include Remembrance Ceremonies, but in addition they perform at EMS conferences and official conventions, flag dedication services, and various types of graduations. Honor Guards function as important branches of our most heroic of civil servants such as Fire Fighters Honor Guard, EMS Honor Guard, Color Guard, Funeral Detail, Bearer Party, and Guard of the Vigil. Their attendance and contributions to these special events are invaluable. They represent and honor the best of the best of human nature and each faction, although less formal than the military, deserves all the honors and remembrances bestowed on them by these special teams.
The “Dress” in the Honor Guard Dress Uniform
Honor Guards serve a very distinguished place in many organized occupations, honoring the fallen and representing groups in ceremonial functions. The uniform of particular honor guards may vary greatly depending on who they represent. There are basics to an honor guard uniform as well as individual specifications. The basic honor guard uniform consists of the service dress uniform coat with epaulets and slacks/trousers, service cap, cap device, a tie or an ascot, Honor Guard patch, shoulder cord, white pistol belt, formal white gloves, and a non-operating parade rifle with sling. Helmets or helmet liners may be used instead of caps; however, all members of an honor guard should be in the same style, if possible.
Continue reading The “Dress” in the Honor Guard Dress Uniform
The “Colors” of Honor – Part II: The Time Honored Legacy
The Color Guard, especially in Law Enforcement, carries on a long tradition of handling the ultimate signal of patriotism, the flag. Color Guard presents the colors at special events such as, Fourth of July Parade, Swearing-In Ceremonies, and Funerals There are many traditions and rules of procedure to adhere to when “Posting the Colors,” or presenting the flag(s). The presentation demands respect at such formal events. The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. The Color Guard observes all of the formal traditions around handling ‘the Colors’ especially handling the American Flag: Continue reading The “Colors” of Honor – Part II: The Time Honored Legacy
The ‘Colors’ of Honor
Honor Guard
Police and Law Enforcement Honor Guards perform many duties and perform specific functions. The Honor Guard of any branch, Law Enforcement, Firefighters, Military, or EMT’s etc, are carefully selected and considered some of the best achievers in their field. Trained police and firefighters perform in military-style honors for those slain in the line of duty and those who have retired, as well as other ceremonial functions. The rules of the National Fraternal Order of Police, in their manual outlining the guidelines addressing the National Honor Guard Demonstration in Washington, D. C., notes that the Color Guard is a member of the Honor Guard, but they perform a specific duty. Continue reading The ‘Colors’ of Honor
How to Properly Wear a Police Dress Uniform
Members of an Honor Guard take pride in their personal appearance and maintain attention to detail with their uniforms. The importance and reverence demanded in these circumstances requires that ones appearance and uniform be clean, professional, well-designed-from hat to shoes. A professional image begins with uniforms that are clean, crisp, consistent reflecting the respect felt for fallen serviceman.
In any circumstance, Law Enforcement and Uniformed Officers are required to look their best. It stands to reason then that the requirements for the Dress Uniform, including that of the honor guard, is held to an extraordinarily high standard. The Class A uniform is often comprised of many accessories, depending on the particular Honor Guard and must be meticulously cared for. Continue reading How to Properly Wear a Police Dress Uniform
Properly Measuring for a Dress Uniform
The key to looking polished and professional, especially in the Class A and Dress Uniforms, lies in two important factors: cleanliness and fit. The importance of a clean uniform speaks for itself, but proper fit is sometimes underrated and overlooked. A properly fitted Class A or dress uniform is crucial while performing tasks that require plasticity and functionality. It is always a good idea to be re-measured to ensure a proper fit. Some people forget to consider function with fit. However, in order to get a proper fit to your uniform, you must often take new measurements and will sometimes need to increase your “normal” size to accommodate personal activity levels. For example, one should purchase a coat that is two sizes larger when planning to perform active physical training regiments that require the wearer to broaden their shoulders, chest and/or back. For uniforms that will be used in marching, it is suggested by fitting experts to increase your measured size by one full size. Continue reading Properly Measuring for a Dress Uniform
