Honor Guard
Was Just Perfect

On Oct. 15, 2007 at 10:30 a.m., my husband’s ashes were buried in Vermont Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center. Our Vermont Honor Guard stood at attention throughout until time for their part.

Vermont should know about, and be very proud of this unit. These four young men, in crisp, decorated uniforms, immaculate white gloves, stood silently, respectfully until they moved, in perfect precision to their rifle firing position. Each shot timed carefully.

Three of the men proceeded in perfect step to a position in front of the site’s urn with a folded flag on the under shelf. Slowly, in rhythm, the flag was unfolded, refolded, and one young man kneeled in front of me where he placed the flag on my knees, and whispered in my ear. I thought of grandchildren his age, and kissed him on the cheek, touching his arm with my hand.

He then placed the small plastic envelope containing the empty shells on my lap, saying softly that these represented "God, Honor and Country," if memory serves me. He stood, slowly stepped back, holding his face in quiet respect—no grin, no unexpected smile over a kiss—and raised his white gloved hand in a salute, pivoted and walked slowly to the waiting two, where the three walked back to the fourth man.

The wind was very cold. Without a missed note, as the sun reappeared, the bugler played Taps on perfect pitch.

The whole event was beautiful, respectful, all with quiet dignity. Vermonters should be very proud of this honor unit. My 87-year-old sister-in-law from California, said that years before, when her 32-year-old husband was buried in New Mexico, the Honor Guard there were in disarray. One in business suit, one in common work clothes, one half-uniformed. When Taps was played, she, a classical organist/pianist, actually chuckled aloud because the bugler was so off-pitch. She whispered to her husband’s photograph, "Sorry Elbert, I am laughing because Taps is so off-pitch." How thrilled she was with her brother’s Honor Unit. We all were.

Can we not all say a special "Thank you" to our Vermont Honor Guard? They deserve our respect and grateful comments. They are better than most of us would ever expect a unit to be. My heart goes out to them for their loyalty and respect.

Thank you, so much, from a grateful wife, family, friends and neighbors, and most especially a sister who knew the difference in Veteran’s Honor Guards.

Doris E. (Porter) Walvoord

Williston

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