Veterans group trains to assist base honor guard

Honor guardsmen from Cannon teamed up with American Veterans Post members in Clovis to provide training that will provide additional resources for rendering funeral honors for area veterans.

According to 27th Special Operations Wing Honor Guard Superintendent Master Sgt. Amy Bengry, military units are now authorized to train civilian volunteers to assist with funerals and add additional elements to the services. Known as the Authorized Provider Partnership Program, or AP3, it will adhere to the congressional mandate that there will be a detail of at least two military members for all veterans.

“There are veterans’ and state organizations that are performing hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of funeral honors annually for veterans,” said Bengry. “This is truly a testament to their patriotic obligation to honor our veterans and they should be commended.”

But, she added, in order to be recognized as an authorized provider, volunteers must receive appropriate training by the service that requested their support. If the volunteer organization is to support an Air Force funeral ceremony, they must be trained by the Air Force.

Initial training began in Clovis on March 21 when honor guardsmen Bengry, Senior Airman Nathan Rogers and Airman 1st Class Terrell Best met with several AMVETS members who volunteered their time on a Saturday.

“I am proud to be a veteran,” answered Frank Chevalier, a former U.S. Army soldier, when asked why he decided to participate in the program. “I think that veterans don’t always get all they deserve, especially when it comes to funeral honors. “

The former paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., joined other veterans in a semi-circle around Bengry as she explained the basics of folding and presenting the flag. Airmen Rogers and Best then demonstrated the proper procedures while peppering their conversations with comments such as, “don’t ‘stab’ the person receiving the flag,” or “don’t let the flag bleed.” They were referring to terms used when presenting the flag with the pointed edge facing, or ‘stabbing’ the recipient and having red of the flag show or ‘bleed’ when the flag is folded into a triangular shape.

Following the demonstrations, the volunteers separated into groups to practice what they had just seen. They all agreed that it looked a lot easier than it actually was as they folded, unfolded and then refolded the flag to prepare it for presentation.

“I don’t know if I will ever get this right,” sighed an exasperated Diana Collins as she tightened one of the corners of the flag.

Collins is a member of the AMVETS auxiliary ladies group, and said she was proud that she could participate in the program.

“We need a lot of practice to get it right,” she said. “But it’s the absolute least we can do to show our respect for those who served our country.”

Bengry agreed that additional practice is needed to get the group up to standards.

“I think the training went well,” she said. “It will take a little longer than expected to train them, but they are willing to put in the work.”

Once trained, these volunteers will be formally recognized for their efforts with a certificate and pin. They can then augment the mandated two-uniformed person detail. They can also be reimbursed for expenses if they are augmenting a military funeral.

But money is the farthest thing on their minds.

“We heard about the program and many of our members wanted to become involved because it’s our way to continue our service to our fellow veterans and nation,” said Olan Bryan, the post commander.

There are more than 1,400 AMVETS posts nationwide and membership is open to any veteran who has served honorably in the military. It is a service as well as a social organization. Among its many programs includes a scholarship program and a DVD-collection project for deployed servicemembers. More information can be found on their Web site at http://www.amvets.org/