POST 63 COLOR GUARD
COLOR GUARD
The Post Commander appoints a Sgt at Arms, one of whose duties, shall be the reponsibility to organize a Post Color/Honor Guard team. It will be the Sgt at Arms duty to recruit, train, outfit, arm, and command this team. The team will look to this person for leadership.The Sgt of Arms should be of commanding appearance and personality, setting an example in dress and demeaner by their actions. Duties of the Color/Honor team are divided by assignments.
The Color Guard consists of members of the Legion, Sons of the Legion, and the Auxiliary. Uniforms for the three groups are determined by the Legion and each group will have uniformity in the composition of their uniform including headgear as outlined in "Uniform Standards" of this section. The Sgt at Arms will have final say on any deviation or changes.
As defined later, Honor Guard participants may make up part of the Color guard as they are considered members of both the Color and Honor guard teams depending on the nature of the event. Color Guard teams traditionally will participate in community events such as parades, dedications, school programs, funerals, Memorial and Veterans Day events and the like. Currently our Color Guard focuses on the participation of the Legion in Clarkston's holiday parades. Although some parade events have been cancelled due to lack of sponsorship, Post 63 has in the past, participated in parades on the 4th of July, Labor Day, and Christmas. Our particiation is always being the lead unit in these parades carrying and displaying the United States Flag along with other appropriate flags.
Post 63 is a sponsor and host of the Memorial Day service conducted at Lakeview Cemetery. The American Legion is the group in charge of this event. Although a "parade" is part of the event as we assemble in Clarkston and march to the cemetery we do not consider this event as one of Clarkston's parades but rather look upon it as a Memorial Day Service based on the activities conducted at the Cemetery. As this is a somber and respectful event, our paraade and service consist only of participants from the American Legion and the Clarkston High School Marching Band.
Don Carter is the current Post Sgt at Arms and Color/Honor Guard Captain.
HONOR GUARD
As the firing of service rifles known as a "rifle volley" at Veteran funerals is a traditional part of the Color/Honor teams' activities, certain members of the Color Guard have volunteered and accepted additional duties with weapons. They are thus designated as an Honor Guard member. These members have shoulder patches with the inscription "Honor Guard" in place of the "Color Guard" patch worn by others. These Honor Guard members may be called to participate in funeral services which may include the firing of blank cartridiges using modified AR-15 rifles. These services are for members and non-members of the Legion and take place at both private cemeteries and our Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. This is a year-round service provided by our Post. Honor Guard members participate in all activities in which arms are used whether they are live-fired or not.
UNIFORM STANDARDS
Color/Honor Guard uniforms are made subject to Post 63 established criteria as outlined below. Hats for the Legion, Sons of the Legion, and the Auxiliary are standard Legion headgear purchased from the American Legion Flag and Emblem catalog. Other items such as ties, belts, patches, and metal buttons are also items sold by the Legion. Non-Legion items such as shirts, pants, ascots, gloves, shoulder cords, shoes, etc. are purchased from outside vendors and although they maybe from different sources, standardization of these items are crucial to obtaining a uniform look thoughout the units' members. Following are the uniform standards for the various groups:
Legion:
Shirt: Tact Squad, white, polyester/cotton, long sleeve with epalets. Creases sewn in. No button down collars. Standard white buttons on the shoulder epalets and the two front shirt pockets are replaced with American Legion metal buttons. The left shoulder epalet has sewing removed to allow the wearing of a shoulder cord as determined by the Color Guard Captain.
Pants: Liberty 600MNV 100% polyester, dark navy blue or Tact Squad Style 7002, 100% polyester, dark navy blue. Pants are adorned with gold striped trim on each trouser leg. Dark navy blue belt (1 1/4") may be purchased at local Army-Navy outlets. Black leather (or patent leather) shoes with solid black socks. No running or canvas shoes are permitted.
Sons of the American Legion:
Shirt: Tact Squad, light blue, polyester/cotton, long sleeve with epalets. Creases sewn in. No button down collars. Standard white buttons on the shoulder epalets and the two front shirt pockets are replaced with American Legion metal buttons. The left shoulder epalet has sewing removed to allow the wearing of a shoulder cord as determined by the Color Guard Captain.
Pants: Liberty 600MNV 100% polyester, dark navy blue or Tact Squad Style 7002, 100% polyester, dark navy blue. Pants are adorned with gold striped trim on each trouser leg. Dark navy blue belt (1 1/4") may be purchased at local Army-Navy outlets. Black leather (or patent leather) shoes with solid black socks. No running or canvas shoes are permitted.