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I was approached to do Honor Guard when I was AF. I asked all kinds of questions about uniforms, M14s/M1 Garands, time away from home, travel obligations, practice etc. I also asked how hard was it to play Taps to the girl that was talking to me about Honor Guard. She replied that they play the "electronic Taps". I didn't even know that existed! I was sick to my stomach that the world's finest military (Army, Navy, Air Force, USMC) couldn't train and teach, or even retain anyone to play REAL Taps!
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Well.......My father-in-law was buried last week, a vet of the Air Force.
I was not into the arrangements. Let them do it.
Still, closed-casket with a flag. Ceremony by 3 elderly vets with the starched shirts and yellow hats.
Taps was played from a distance by one via recording (not a fake bugle!) as the other two began the salute and flag-folding.
The third enjoined the other 2 ensuring the flag was folded tight and right.
One delivered the flag to mother-in-law and teetered a bit as he knelt.
Whispered kind and reassuring words as he passed the flag to her.
He stood and all saluted her.
The old paw-in-law worked an air base in Africa for a few years back then.
I felt these men honored him as fine as ever. Fine men!
All volunteer, was a nice thing they did.
JMHO
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First and Foremost, My sincere sympathy for the loss of your father in law.
As has been seen the vets of certain periods are diminishing and rather quickly. I know that those three men were honored to be in attendance. And Honor him they did.
I thank them for it.
Roy
