Early in February, family, friends and fellow Veterans filled the enclosed patio at the Judd Kendall VFW Post to recognize an impressive milestone completed by members of the American Legion and VFW who fulfill duties of the Honor Guard. The combined VFW-American Legion Honor Guard recently had completed its first 500 Military Funeral Hours at graveside services.
The ceremony included time for comments from Past Commander Bob Bronson who reminisced about giving his blessing to Vietnam Army Veteran Jim Oftedal for leading the way to officially organize the Honor Guard back in 2014.
With the encouragement of the American Legion and VFW leadership, Oftedal then started planning in December 2014, and he assumed the role as Honor Guard Commander.
“Winter is not conducive for practice so we actually started practice the summer of 2015,” Oftedal said. “Honor Guard members were trained by Sgt. Martin of the Army Illinois National Guard in the appropriateness of conducting military graveside services. We trained all summer of 2015 in order to qualify for the Department of Defense certification.”
Oftedal explained that not every Honor Guard is “Certified, no do they have to be.”
He added, “Yet, being certified assures the Honor Guard provides a graveside service consistent with Military Protocol. Certified Honor Guards are ‘chartered’ to perform the sequence of the service as well as maintain the appropriate distance from the gravesite.”
Oftedal also said that the Honor Guard and Bugler create a triangle when in harmony with the casket. And that both the VFW Post and American Legion Post also were given certification documents authorizing them to perform Military Funeral Honors.
“We were certified by the Department of Defense (Documents signed by D.O.D. Secretary Bob Gates) October 6, 2015,” Oftedal said. “We performed our first graveside honor on Nov. 9, 2015, for Donald D. Otton, Air Force – WWII.”
All 20 current members of the Honor Guard were recognized with gratitude and certificates: Bob Binder (Bugler), Tinny Bixel, Lew Breese, Brian Clark, Jim Collins, Mike Dickinson, Chuck Dunning, Dave Ferreri, Jim Frego, Rich Goulet, Bob Grember, Chip Kuhrt, Jacob Martin, Larry Nyman, Don O’Reilly (Flag Bearer), Bill Ott, Bob Rechenmacher, Rich Yndestad (Bugler), and Mark Ziemnik.
After presentations, guests were invited to enjoy a slice of commemorative cake. A large portion was cut for delivery to Don O’Reilly who was unable to attend; yet, remembered for cutting the cake for the Honor Guard’s first 100 HONORED in 2018.
Military honors are provided to Veterans upon request. When requested, the law requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to fold the U.S. flag, and present the flag to the next of kin and play taps. However, other honors, such as honor guard pallbearers and a rifle volley, may be offered, depending on the resources available to the honor guard unit and desires of the family. Oftedal noted that families can request the Honor Guard when they make funeral arrangements for a deceased Veteran.
National ‘Vietnam Veterans’ Veterans Day is March 29
The community is welcome to attend National Vietnam War Veterans Day at 10:30AM Fri., March 29, as it marks the 51st Anniversary of the U.S. departure from Vietnam.
“While this has been a well-kept secret,” said Wayne Fischer, VN ’67-68-USMC, organizer of the observance. “We will be holding a brief program honoring all that served back then in our United States Military. This will be our third year honoring this occasion.”
Fischer added, “We plan to start promptly at 10:30AM regardless of weather. The Combined Posts Honor Guard and the Color Guard will participate in the program.”
This observance is not just limited to Veterans that served in Vietnam, but to “All Who Served” this Great Country during the Vietnam War era.
In addition, Fischer said, “Again ‘11 Naperville Fallen’ will be recognized as they each paid the ultimate price to protect our freedoms, and we recognize all the men and women that paid the ultimate price because of their service in Vietnam.”
Fischer said they will also lay a wreath at the Veterans Park wall. After the service, they will lay a second wreath at the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument in honor of all individuals that paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in “All Wars.”
The observance is open to the public, especially all Veterans, Fischer said. Seating will be available for anyone that needs to sit. Ample parking will be available across the Gartner Road at Grace United Methodist Church.
Veterans Park is located at 303 E. Gartner Road.
