According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of an honor guard is “a guard assigned to a ceremonial duty.” The recorded history of the military honor guard within the United States dates back to 1948. The U.S. Air Force created the first honor guard after their command called for the creation of an elite ceremonial unit for the purposes of performing duties to honor individuals, groups, and events. This tradition and its importance have continued throughout the years with modifications or with active-duty soldiers fulfilling the honor guard duties when requested. Wagner has one of the most impressive and respectable honor guards in the entire state, having received many compliments from Legion and VFW dignitaries. For the Wagner American Legion Greer Post 11 and Wagner Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7319, being a part of this time old tradition is not only a duty, but an honor.

Local military honor guards are primarily called upon to serve during funeral ceremonies. The Wagner Honor Guard is one of a select few honor guards in the state that provides a full and complete ceremony. They believe that every fellow Veteran and soldier deserves the proper and complete honors when he or she is laid to rest. The unit’s members feel it is a privilege and honor to serve their fellow Veterans in this capacity, knowing that one day they too will pass and hope that their families will be able to receive the same honor that they are currently bestowing.

Wagner’s Honor Guard was not always so active. Although funeral honors were given to Veterans who had passed, there were times when the organizations were unable to give a full and complete burial ceremony. In 1991, Wagner’s Honor Guard went through an incredible change. Members of the VFW Post had been primarily conducting the funeral honor guard duties, but the number of members began to dwindle. In fear of another tradition fading away, Wagner’s American Legion and VFW joined forces to continue this time old tradition.

The Wagner Honor Guard currently has 22 members from the American Legion, VFW, and Sons of the Legion. Among these members are: Tony Krcil, Norman Cihak, Merle Stone, Jim Stone, Robert Kucera, Jay Youngbluth, Richard Zolnowsky, Donald Hubbard, Mike Novak, Ray Soukup, Bruce Spector, John Crisman, Paul Kucera, Mark Roberts, Clayton Rados, Lavern Rezac, Melvin Horner, Mark Wiechmann, Donald Kotab, Bill Hoffman, Robert Kisley, and Dan Rezac.

Wagner VFW Commander Norman Cihak commands the ceremonies that the Wagner Honor Guard is a part of with Donald Kotab presiding as Chaplain. Merle Stone is the ceremony’s Sergeant at Arms which requires him to know proper flag etiquette as well as leading his fellow honor guardsmen in the ceremony’s protocol and decorum. LaVern and Dan Rezac are the honor guard buglers. Jay Youngbluth and Jim Stone carry the flags while the rest of the honor guards present arms as part of the firing squad. Taps are played followed by an active-duty military member from the deceased’s military branch of service presenting the folded flag to the family.

This ceremonial unit is made up of amazing and dedicated men. Though the vast majority of them are in their 70s and 80s, with their service years happening during their early 20s, their mindset to serve has not changed. The only time members retire from the unit is when they are no longer able to hold their weapon.