If you’ve attended a funeral with military honors, it was likely touching, emotional and full of tradition. The ceremony is meant to show respect and appreciation for those who served our country.
In 1999, a Hendricks County family was looking for a burial with military honors for their family member. The deceased was a prisoner of war during World War II, but there was no system in place to provide the special service and he wasn’t a member of the VFW or similar veteran organization.
That didn’t stop two members of the local VFW from pulling together a team of five volunteers to perform military honors for their deceased brother.
That year, the nonprofit Hendricks County Honor Guard was formed, and members recently celebrated 25 years of service in the county.
“In 2024 we did 67 funerals, and since our existence in 1999, we’ve performed 1,238 funerals or roughly five per month,” said Michael Ries, vice commander. “We do it to give the families closure and to recognize their service.”
Twelve members serve for each military funeral if possible.
There is a benediction by the chaplain, firing team commander, seven firing team members and a bugler. After the firing of the three volleys and playing of “Taps”, two members of the branch the veteran served in present a folded flag and 21 spent rifle cartridges to the family. The final act of honor is a salute toward the veterans remains.
“It’s a tradition that every veteran with honorable discharge is entitled to,” said Andy Eldridge, commander. “They should receive the respect they deserve.”
With the loss of a loved one, many veteran family members are unaware of how the ceremony and honorable service works. It’s important to have the personal information available so the Honor Guard can perform their duty.
In order to be recognized, the family must have the veteran’s DD214 discharge papers.
“A lot of family members don’t know about this or know where it is, but it’s a very important document,” Ries said. “When you go to the funeral home to plan the funeral, you take it with you and the funeral home will contact us and the respective branch of service.”
Once notified by the funeral home with details, Ries said they begin contacting volunteer members with the date and time of the service, pulling together a team to perform the ceremony.
They’re also involved in community events and volunteer to provide various services across the county. In addition to funerals, the Hendricks County Honor Guard participates in Fourth of July parades, Memorial Day services, flag-raising presentations and retirements. They present the colors at local events, ceremoniously displaying the American flag and the Indiana state flag.
For example, you can count on a team of members to serve at Indy Honor Flight events several times per year.
They support the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and they serve at the annual Wreaths Across America program, Vietnam veteran dinners and more.
“We have two primary missions,” Eldridge said. “We want to make sure our veterans receive the honors they deserve, and secondly, we want to support the county at civic and community events.”
For those who have never served, it’s a bond they might not understand.
Ries served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Cold War period, and Eldridge served in the Air Force for more than 25 years.
In fact, they come from a long line of family members who have served their country. Ries’s father and uncle served in Vietnam. Eldridge’s grandfather, father, son, and now grandson, have all served.
“The national anthem at a ball game can be emotional,” Eldridge said. “You’ve served and helped your brothers and sisters in arms, and some of them never came home. For me personally, ‘God Bless America’ is always emotional. You just think about those men and women who served with you, those who are currently serving and those who will serve after you. It makes you tear up.”
Ries plays “Taps” on the bugle at most of the funeral services with military honors.
“Every time I play ‘Taps’ it chokes me up,” he said. “‘Taps’ is the hardest. It’s important because this is giving back to the veterans who gave me the freedom to be able to serve my country.”
Eldridge said veteran organizations are often filled with lively banter, teasing and a common understanding, due to their shared experience. However, it’s all in good fun. They’ll be there for each other when the opportunity presents itself.
Ries agrees. “Whether you served in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, we like to joke around about the different branches, but when it comes down to it, we’re all one family,” Ries said. “We have each other’s back. Andy can pick up the phone and the entire squad is at his door.”
Ries and Eldridge said the families they serve are always appreciative of their service, and donations come in from local American Legion locations, VFWs and the DAR. However, volunteers are always needed.
“Getting a full team is sometimes a challenge,” Eldridge said. “Some of the older members go to the south for the winter, some are dealing with medical issues, and half of us still work full time.”
They also have a positive relationship with surrounding honor guard units and will aid each other if there are multiple funerals in one day.
Joining in their mission won’t cost the volunteers a thing, other than their time.
“We do not charge the family for our services and we operate strictly on donations,” Ries said. “One of the misconceptions is you have to have prior military experience in order to participate. We welcome civilians and we’ll properly train everyone. We also provide our volunteers with head-to-toe uniforms. There is no monthly membership. It’s just having the heart to volunteer.”
If you are interested in getting involved, call 317-726-6701.
