My five sisters and two brothers watched as the uniformed guard knelt to present the American flag to my mother. In a gentle unwavering voice and eyes locked on my mom, he said, "On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Navy and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service." And then there were taps, a final tribute. All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh. This time honored tradition provided to my father by a local American Legion Honor Guard will forever be remembered by my family.

The presence of an honor guard detail can have a strong impact — be it good ol' American pride, patriotism or gratefulness. Most parades are (or should be) led by members of an honor guard, more commonly known as a Color Guard, with uniformed marchers following behind the flags. These same members are routinely asked to post the national colors (along with a state flag or American Legion colors) at government or veteran events and ceremonies. And then there are the military funerals.

The amount of time and effort required to accomplish these honors is astounding.

"The majority of our missions are in Kootenai County," said Todd Halvorson, captain of the honor guard at the Manuel Schneidmiller American Legion Post No. 154 in Rathdrum. "If we get a mission request from outside the county and can get a team together, we will do it. We don't want to refuse requests if possible."

Halvorson, an Air Force veteran, has served in the Honor Guard for roughly 15 years.

"This is my way to be in uniform and keep serving my fellow veterans," he said. "I also consider it an honor to provide military honors for veterans. They all served their country and deserved and earned that honor. The families are honored and respected as well."

According to Ken Johnson, honor guard co-captain and coordinator, the team logged 2,246 hours and 11,357 miles in 2022. They provided honors at 124 military funerals and performed at 24 ceremonies. These extraordinary volunteers, 15 veterans in all, are members of the Rathdrum American Legion and local VFW. Every individual participates in "basic training" to practice funeral ceremonies, flag folding and presentation, rifle firing in sync as a team, and posting and retiring colors. They are responsible for their own transportation and uniform costs. Rifles are provided by the American Legion. Donations and contributions from families that they serve help cover jackets, raincoats and other expenses.

"I work with funeral homes and families to schedule and plan the final honors for the veteran," said Johnson, who has participated in honor guard ceremonies while assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C., and the Pentagon. "I ensure we have enough personnel to accomplish the mission."

Johnson also records and reports hours and mileage, transports the rifles and equipment to and from all locations.

"My greatest takeaway from serving with the honor guard is giving respect to our fallen … seeing the pride through the families tears as the rifle salute is offered and taps is sounded," he said.

Halvorson adds "We can fold and present the flag, but normally the veteran's branch of service will provide a two-person team to fold and present."

Johnson said if "the flag is presented by one of our team members, we present the recipient with three polished rifle cartridges and this is what we say, 'On behalf of the American Legion, please accept these three polished rifle cartridges in remembrance of the honors provided to your veteran this day. These three cartridges represent all that your veteran stood for: duty, honor, country. May God bless.'"

Over the years, the honor guard has provided services to a highly decorated Navy Seal and the first female Seabee. "I would like to add that we desperately need members,” Halvorson said. "Our current team is aging and without new blood, this team will fade away."

Giving and receiving. And giving again. These veterans provide a flag bearing start to a Fourth of July parade. They provide heartfelt recognition at the loss of a loved one. Parades and funerals. Beginnings and endings. Honoring and guarding.

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For more information or interest in joining this honor guard, contact Todd Halverson at keltod11@gmail.com. In addition to Halvorson and Johnson, current Honor Guard team members include Al Ogram, Bob Kernan, Bryan Bledsoe, Dan Neese, Greg Munden, Hal Donahue, Harold Markiewicz, Jeff Broadhead, Kelly McMahan, Len Crosby, Lew Allert, Maggie Ogram and Roy Murdock.