AZ

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An Honor to Serve: Prescott’s Post 6 Guard

The Honor Guard at the Ernest A. Love Post 6 American Legion is impressive and dedicated.   For 30 years, they have provided support and comfort to the families and friends of deceased veterans.

Averaging 300 services and events a year, the honor guard is committed to paying respect and providing the final salute to those who have served their country.

The American Legion Honor Guard provides military honors to deceased veterans who would otherwise not receive them, including folding and presenting the flag to survivors, and performing a three-volley gun salute at funerals. 

The 17-member team here in Prescott, Arizona takes its role seriously and can be seen most afternoons gathered next to the old fireplace at the Post 6 building, raising their glasses in a closing toast to the veteran they just honored at the local or national cemetery.

Post 6 Honor Guard pays their respects at the Vietnam Veteran Day Ceremony on 3/29/25 in the Prescott, AZ Courthouse Plaza. Photo by Steve Smull.

When I asked some of the Post 6 Honor Guard members “What is the most important thing you provide to the veterans’ families at these services?”, they all replied, “Our presence”.  

Wow! That simple yet powerful word, presence, hit me hard as I realized that showing and being there for these ceremonies has an immense impact on those who are mourning the loss of a loved one.  Sadly, sometimes the honor guard are the only ones present to pay respects to the veteran.

What these Honor Guard team members do is American Legion exemplified and is greatly respected and appreciated by American Legion members and family chapters as well as the community.

Here’s the history of the group I received from the Captain of the Post 6 Honor Guard:

“In March of 1995, Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home called the Post and asked if we could provide Military Honors for a deceased veteran. Al Tercero, a several times Past Post Commander, and Past Department Commander, said yes. 

Al organized our Honor Guard, consisting of 2 VFW members and 3 Post 6 members. Our first bugler was Leonard Rosie Ross, bugler for General Eisenhower during WWII, and member of Post 6 and VFW Post 541. Our Honor Guard soon began traveling throughout Northern Arizona to render Honors for veterans, from Kingman to the Navajo Nation to Wickenburg the White Mountains. Where we were requested, we went.

In the last thirty years, our Honor Guard has rendered honors for 9,000 veterans, presented Colors at over 1,000 events, and represented Post 6 in nearly 100 parades.

Our Honor Guard is a certified Authorized Provider by the Department of Defense. That means that, when the Active-Duty services cannot provide the Honor Guard for the veteran, we are obligated to do so. Your Honor Guard takes that responsibility seriously and is ready to provide anything needed to honor our veterans.” – Clarence S. “Sherm” Scott III , Captain, Post 6 Honor Guard and Past Post 6 Commander

Taken on Flag Day, 2024 in Prescott, AZ during a flag burning ceremony.

A toast to the members of the Post 6 American Legion Honor Guard!

Thank you for your noble service. Your presence at these ceremonies holds immense significance, offering comfort and solace to those mourning their beloved veterans.

You are the embodiment of honor and respect, and your dedication enriches our community, our Legion, and our nation to which we are so indebted.

Here’s to the Post 6 Honor Guard—may your valor, dedication, and unwavering presence continue to shine brightly, honoring the legacy of those who served.

Cheers!

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Birds, Words and Green Trees

Every time I spend a few days away from home in a house surrounded by green trees, I get the urge to write. I’m not sure if it’s the clean air, the amazing views or the lack of distractions that prompts my literary desire to share my thoughts with you but here I go.

It could be the fact that I’m staying in a charming AirBnB in Prescott, AZ with my husband Steve and the owners from France have an amazing collection of books. Our bibliophile hosts feel like family to me as I view the many family photos on the white walls. I can feel the love and joy they get from cooking and sharing meals with their children and their friends.

As a recent and neophyte author, I have an immense appreciation for prolific and complex writers like Tom Clancy, Dan Brown and Michael Crichton. The main wall in the master bedroom has a large bookcase filled with pages of an adventure and intrigue. I could feel the emotion emanating from the titles on the spines.

So what is my story to share with you? Why would you be interested in my thoughts and experiences as I type these words from a wooden deck over looking the city of Prescott?

A large hawk just landed on top of a telephone pole about 50 meters from me. He hung our and watched me for a while and then flew off. Sometimes I wish I could be weightless and fly.

The morning air is clean and cool and crisp. My hands are getting cold as I type so I just grabbed my large, white ceramic mug of hot green tea and took a healthy sip. I look up again at the baby blue sky, the green and brown mountain horizon and feel a sense of serenity and gratitude. I feel happy to be able to share my thoughts and photos of this lovely place.

I feel connected with the trees and the birds and it brings me comfort and relief. I feel connected to the warm family that owns this home and as a result my own family in New Jersey is close in my heart and mind. I miss them dearly and look forward to my trip to see them in a few weeks.

The elevation of this property is 5,790 ft and I’m a facing due west at 270 degrees. My mind and senses are open to new input and information and I’m happy to chronicle my journey and share it with you.

I hope you have enjoyed my short and simple story of birds, words and green trees from Arizona.