News from
The Adjutant General's Department

CONTACT:
Sharon Watson
Director, Public Affairs Office
Work: (785) 274-1192
Cell: (785) 806-4063
http://www.Kansas.gov/ksadjutantgeneral

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Sept. 4, 2009

No. 09-093     

MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS TEAM HEADS TO NATIONAL COMPETITION; AN EXAMPLE OF KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD EXCELLENCE

The Kansas Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team is heading to Arlington, Va., Sept. 13-17 to test their skills against funeral honors teams around the nation. The competition will encompass all aspects of team membership from strict professional appearance to precision ceremonial drills.

This year Kansas will be representing the region of Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana
With the volume of funeral honors rendered, National Guard Bureau recognized the need to maintain a standardized program providing incentives for that standardization.  In 2007, the ARNG established the Honor Guard National Competition.

Teams are invited to the competition after submitting a video demonstrating their proficiency and professionalism. 

“I’m proud of the accomplishments of this team,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, Kansas adjutant general. “Their commitment to excellence and their dedication to our fallen heroes shines through in the work they do.”

With the sound of “Taps” echoing throughout Fort Myer, Va., the Kansas Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team will begin this year’s week long National Guard Military Funeral Honor Guard Competition on Monday, Sept. 14, testing their knowledge and professionalism against seven other teams from around the nation.         

Team members representing the Kansas National Guard include Sgt. 1st Class Jason Lane, of Iola, 772nd Engineering Company; Staff Sgt. Benjamin L. Aldridge, of Onaga, Detachment 1, 137th Transportation Company; Staff Sgt. Jessie Brinker, of Lawrence,  Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 69th Troop Command; Sgt. Jessie J. Lawrence, of Olathe , Company E, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment; Sgt. Chase A. Taylor, of Stewartsville, Mo, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment, Sniper Detachment; Spc. Dru L. Payne, of Topeka, 35th Infantry Division Band; Spc. Kyle R. Simmons, of Topeka, Company A, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment; and Spc. Joseph A. Swann, of Topeka, 35th Infantry Division Band.

On any given day the call can come in to honor one of our country’s heroes.  Law requires, upon a family’s request, every eligible veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony to include, at a minimum, folding and presenting United States Flag and the sounding of “Taps” at no cost to the family.

Often, however, families and funeral homes don't know if a veteran is entitled to military honors. If a veteran has been honorably discharged, retires, or dies on active duty (death does not have to be combat related), they are eligible for a military funeral. This also applies to Reserves and National Guard. This is a free benefit for the veteran.

Veterans are eligible for military honors at their funeral if they meet one of the following requirements:

• Currently serving on active duty or in the Selected Reserve (drilling with a unit).
  
• Discharged from active duty under conditions other than “dishonorable.”
  
• Completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve under conditions other than “dishonorable.”
  
• Discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

The Joint Force Headquarters drill floor is often found with the Kansas National Guard’s Military Funeral Honors Team practicing their ceremonies with precision to ensure the fallen and their families see their legacy rested in perfection. No movement overlooked, no snapped, regimented fold of the flag made without the greatest respect and attention to detail.

“This is a lifestyle,” said Rod Moyer, Military Funeral Honors program manager.

The hours are long, the standards far exceed the regulations and everything else must be able to be put aside when the call comes in. Though for the Kansas National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team, nothing comes close to paying their and their country’s respects to the fallen heroes and the service members’ families. Currently, the KSNG Military Funeral Honors Team performs more than 50 military funerals each month, as well as fulfilling several public event requests.

In the past fiscal year, the KSNG Military Funeral Honors Team performed 511 ceremonies, an increase from 195 in Fiscal Year 2008 and just 14 in 2007. The difference stems from soldiers answering our nation’s call to represent its fallen heroes.  Along with an increase in membership, the KSNG Honor Guard’s trainers set their standards as near to perfection as humanly possible.

“It’s one of the most professional things you can do in the military,” said Honor Team member Spc. Lonnie Hajney.

This comes from what Moyer says is holding the KSNG Military Funeral Honors Team to the standards of those set by the Arlington National Cemetery Honor Guard (Old Guard).

Kansas has five Soldiers who have attended the National Honor Guard School taught by "Old Guard" instructors. These Soldiers, after passing the "train-the-trainer" course, instruct other team members in the art of rendering military funeral honors at the Kansas Regional Training Institute in Salina during an intense 40-hour State Certification Course. Graduates are awarded a certificate and earn the right to wear the Honor Guard Tab, as well as participate in the performance of military funeral honors here in Kansas.

The call has come in with as little as two hours notice for a ceremony. Honor Guard members are ready at a moment’s notice to perform their duty paying respect to fellow service members and their families.

“We’re held way above the Army standards,” said Moyer. “There are 109 inspection points on our dress blues.”

In the one-week-course held to train future Honors Team Soldiers, he aims to have them succeed in every one of the points. Preparations for new dress blues uniforms take approximately 20 hours to get them to standard, and maintenance after each day’s work can take about four to five hours. Each sleeve alone can take up to an hour. No detail is too small and the tolerance for error in placement of awards, badges, etc. is only 2/32 of an inch. Soldiers fail the uniform inspection if they have more than three errors out of the 109 inspection areas which include proper tailoring of the uniform, condition of ribbons, brass, shoes and tie tack to mention a few.

While one soldier spent nearly an hour inspecting his Corfam shoes and polishing their soles, another diligently went over his uniform with an electric lint remover to ensure an even, professional finish.  The brass “blank” casings used in the rifles for the three volleys are polished, should a family member request one used during a ceremony.           

“Honors Team members take great pride in representing whatever branch of service they are from. We represent the best of our service and we want to let the families know how proud we are to have shared a legacy with their loved ones,” said Moyer.

"I served in Iraq and making sure no Veteran has to take his final march alone is very important to me," said Sgt. Jessie J. Lawrence.  "Going to nationals to represent the state is a great honor but presenting the flag to the widow of a fallen brother is the greatest honor I've had in my career."

The Kansas National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program is comprised of various National Guard members and units throughout Kansas. For further information regarding their duty, provided services and/or becoming a member, you may contact Rod Moyer at: (785) 274 1520 or by e-mail at rodney.moyer1@us.army.mil.

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