OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The image of a rifle between a pair of boots. Dog tags and a helmet on top of the butt end of the firearm. The battlefield cross. They all leave an indelible imprint, recognizing a fallen soldier.
The Marion County Memorial Honor Guard is a 501(c)(19) not-for-profit war veterans’ organization composed of those who’ve served in the military and provides ceremonial funeral honors and assistance to all military veterans and their families during their time of need.
U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer William Dorsey, a Vietnam veteran and a member of the honor guard since 2007, became a chaplain seven years ago, and has performed more than 5,000 services. He has served in every capacity during his tenure with the honor guard.
The honor guard’s reach extends beyond Marion, Lake, Sumter, and Levy Counties; they have also provided their services in Lake City, Winter Garden, Orlando, and Sarasota. Dorsey has had the opportunity to serve in various locations, including Cape Canaveral, as well as in Pennsylvania and Virginia, honoring veterans wherever he goes.
“We’ve really grown,” says Dorsey. “There were times when there were only three people who showed up to do the service, and then of course you have to multi-task. We do whatever the family asks within reason. About 85 % of our services are at Bushnell [Florida National Cemetery].”
The Florida National Cemetery offers services in 30-minute blocks. Families have about 20 minutes for the service, with the actual ceremony lasting around 13 to 15 minutes. This is due to the high number of funerals. In contrast, services at non-veteran cemeteries, burial sites, and funeral homes can be longer.
“When I first started, we were doing four or five a day sometimes four and five days a week,” says Dorsey. “The majority of those were World War II veterans. Now we’re doing quite a few Korean War, Vietnam War, and some Desert Storm veterans. Now, on average, we do about five a week or 20 to 25 a month.”
Ret. U.S. Navy Senior Chief Donald Kennedy mentions that several elements are usually included in the service, such as reading the 23rd Psalm, presenting the certificate of fellowship, and reading a poem.
“If we’re at Florida National Cemtery and we’re under time constraints, we will take steps to reduce the time that we spend doing the service,” says Kennedy.
The honor guard currently has around 35 members, with 12 to 14 who attend regularly as the core group. There are also 10 to 12 members who come occasionally, making this the largest group the organization has ever had. Additionally, three members serve as chaplains. Many members have taken on various roles and responsibilities over the years. The memorial honor guard will collaborate with the active-duty honor guard as well.
“We have a couple of snowbirds, one from Indiana and another from Michigan,” says Dorsey. “It’s very important to remember those who served and it’s also important to their families. They really appreciate it. We get referrals from the families that we do services for.”
The guard or the active-duty member will take custody of the remains and the flag prior to the start of the service. If a bagpiper is present, they will play the service song of the veteran as the family is being escorted down to the shelter. The chaplain begins with a fellowship statement, reads the 23rd Psalm, and offers a brief prayer. He also guides the next of kin who will receive the flag. A bugler plays “Taps,” a rifle salute is given with blank rounds, and two guard members fold the flag into a triangle before presenting it to the veteran’s next of kin.
The honor guard on active duty usually leaves after the flag is shown. The rifle team heads to the shelter while the bagpiper plays “Amazing Grace.” After the rifle team comes back, the honor guard gives the certificate of fellowship and used shell casings. The cemetery staff will present a Presidential certificate, and the guard might share a poem. Finally, the guard will perform the last salute. Each guard member with a rifle steps in front of the urn or casket, presents their rifle, and receives a salute from one member chosen to represent the deceased. They then move to the side, stand at parade rest, and are dismissed.
At the Florida National Cemetery, the guard cannot take the rifles into the shelter, so they leave them outside before going in as “Amazing Grace” plays. At the end of the service, when it’s time to pay final respects, the group salutes, and the lone representative of the deceased veteran returns the salute
“When someone joins the guard, the first thing we do is teach them how to be part of the rifle team,” says Kennedy. “It’s simple. You have other people around you, so you don’t necessarily stand out and be highlighted by yourself. After that, we may move someone into being a bugler, and after that we do what we call the final salute. Eventually, we work on training them for folding and presenting the flag. We typically haven’t trained additional chaplains unless someone specifically volunteers because that’s what they want to do,” said Kennedy.
The Florida National Cemetery maintains a list of honor guards that are able to perform services. In the area, there are around four or five honor guards, with some being more active than others. Sumter County has its own honor guard, but they only perform services at Florida National. For weekend services and other locations, they typically refer to the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard.
“If someone calls in down there, they will tell you that the active-duty honor guard is typically not going to fire rifles they’re going to fold and present the flag and possibly play ‘Taps’,” says Kennedy. “If you want rifle fire, these are the known organizations that have that ability.”
The honor guard is made up of veterans, and they believe it is very important to give honors to those who have served as they pass away.
If you are interested in having the honor guard perform a service with ceremonial funeral honors, please call the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard at 352.216.6724 or e-mail MarionCountyHG@gmail.com. You can also call the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell at 352.793.7740, and they will provide the necessary contact information.
Donations and honorariums are welcome.