U.S. Association of Military Honor Guards

03/10/2026

Great Guy, Awesome Mission!

WCIA's Brandon Merano joins the founder of Operation Honor Guard, Rich Darby, at the WCIA backlot donation site. Darby talks about the creation of Operation Honor Guard and its overall mission.

03/10/2026

Until 2023, Honor Guards that performed military rites at veteran funerals used to get $50 per service for expenses like fuel and uniform upkeep. SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications so you don't miss any videos: https://bit.ly/3XSyl7l For more stories check out https://www.northernnewsnow.com/ FOLLO...

02/22/2026

🇺🇸 Did You Know?

A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense found that there are nearly 10,000 Veteran Service Organization honor guards serving communities across the United States.

These men and women served our nation in uniform—and they are still serving today, volunteering their time to provide final military honors for fellow veterans. Many travel long distances, maintain their own uniforms, and cover expenses out of their own pockets… simply because they believe every veteran deserves to be honored.

At Operation Honor Guard, we believe they’ve already done enough. They should never have to pay out of pocket to carry out this sacred mission.

That’s why we work to strengthen, equip, and sustain honor guards across the country—so they can continue standing tall for those who served.

Together, we can make sure every hero is honored.

www.operationhonorguard.us

🇺🇸

Operation Honor Guard, NFP is a 501(c)(3) that raises money for veteran service organizations that provide military funerals for fallen veterans.

10/03/2025

If your Honor Guard is eligible for Federal stipends are you getting those payments? If not what is you group doing about that?

Send a message to learn more

04/29/2025

Duluth MN Honor Guard marches in Memorial Day Parade! Come out and support Veterans support our Great Country! Join our group on Facebook in order increase our collaboration Accross the UNited States!

04/29/2025

Duluth Honor Guard hopes government will resume stipends for military funerals

Until 2023, Honor Guards that performed military rites at veteran funerals used to get $50 per service for expenses like fuel and uniform upkeep.
By Dave Anderson
Published: Mar. 5, 2025 at 7:56 PM CST
DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - You see the Duluth Honor Guard at just about every ceremony for service members who have slipped away.

Memorials and funerals keep the veteran volunteers moving, especially on weekends and holidays.

“The most we’ve ever done is six funerals in one day running from church to cemetery to wherever we need to go,” said Gene Swanson, an Honor Guard member who is an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War.

There is a federal fund that is supposed to provide stipends to the honor guards who provide military honors to deceased veterans.

“Individuals get nothing because we are all volunteers, but the team gets fifty dollars and that goes into our bank account and we use that to buy uniforms,” said Dan Streu, who is also an Honor Guard member. He is a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War.

It also goes to paying for transportation to the funeral services that need the honor guard’s services.

But payments dried up in 2023.

“The law doesn’t say we must get paid so right now I’m working with Pete Stauber’s office to change the law to say we must get paid.” said Streu.

Senator Tina Smith has also offered support to the honor guards of the nation but the vets haven’t heard back from any other politicians yet.

Fellow honor guard member Tom Garvey is currently working with the American Legion and VFW to lobby congress to return the honor guard stipends.

Vietnam War veterans Dan Steu and Gene Swanson hope you will lobby your legislators, too.

“We are there for the veteran and I guess just write your congressman and let them know this is not the thing to cut,” said Streu.

04/29/2025

+7
The Duluth Honor Guard is a volunteer group that provides Military Funeral Honors to honorably discharged veterans in Minnesota. They are known for their solemn duties, which include folding and presenting the U.S. flag to the family, playing Taps, and firing rifle volleys over the grave. The honor guard is a vital part of the ceremonies that show gratitude and respect to veterans and their families.
Key points about the Duluth Honor Guard:
Volunteers:
The honor guard is made up of volunteers, often veterans themselves.
Military Funeral Honors:
They provide Military Funeral Honors at the graveside of veterans, including folding and presenting the U.S. flag, playing Taps, and firing rifle volleys.
Importance:
These ceremonies are a way to show gratitude and respect to veterans and their families.
Stipends:
The honor guard has experienced past difficulties with receiving stipends for their services. They are advocating for the restoration of these stipends to help cover expenses like uniforms and transportation.
History:
The Duluth Honor Guard has a long history of participating in competitions and honoring veterans.
Various Groups:
Duluth has multiple groups providing similar services, including the Duluth Combined Honor Guard and other units like the VFW Post 1350 Honor Guard.