The dedicated men of Marine Corps Honor Guard Detachment #708 have served their country in wars long past. Now they are serving their fellow brothers who have passed on as well as their families by providing them a formal military memorial service.
The team consists of a firing team, a bugler and two flag holders. One flag holder makes the presentation of the flag to the deceased veteran’s loved one. A chaplain presides over a nondenominational sermon. These are the men of Marine Corps League Detachment #708:
Jim Countryman, Tom Flynn, Frank Glassford, Dave Harris, Lee Lowe, Lou Palermo, Herb Robinson, Chuck Sarges, Steve Witt and Mike Benner. Most of these men are Marines. There is one army paratrooper among them.
The team performs funerals 5 days a week, depending on need. Sometimes there is one funeral a day, others there are five. Inclement weather does not hold them back. They will officiate a Veteran’s funeral whether it is 90 degrees, pouring rain or bitter cold.
Age does not stop them either. Their individual years range from late 60’s into the 80’s.
The men volunteer their time and use their own vehicles. If they receive gratuity, they put it towards supporting the detachment or other charitable work in Hernando County.
“We consider it a very high honor and certainly a privilege,” stated Chuck Sarges of Detachment #708 and Memorial Service Chaplain.
While the funeral home can set up arrangements with the Marine Corp Detachment League to preside over your loved one’s funeral, some families also choose to invite the Patriot Guard Riders to the service.
The Patriot Guard Riders is made up of people from all walks of life. They are military and nonmilitary individuals, as well as riders (motorcyclists) and non-riders. The patriot guard’s objective is the following:
“1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors. We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.”
To make arrangements with the Patriot Guard Riders go to www.patriotguard.org
