Indy Metropolitan Military Honor Guard – 2

Indy Metropolitan Military Honor Guard

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED!

COLOR GUARD and MEETING INFORMATION

PLEASE NOTE:  The IMMHG Color Guard cannot participate in a Memorial Service to honor a loved one. A Color Guard Ceremony Team is not equipped with the same weapons that would be required for a Memorial Service for a loved one.  Please select the tab Memorial Service Information on the Menu for further instructions.

INTRO – Our primary mission is to render Military Funeral Honors for our fallen Veterans, but IMMHG can fulfill requests for Color Guard and Informational Meeting services on an as-available basis. Because our efforts are primarily focused on Funeral Services (which are offered for a donation) we must charge a fee for these events.  Individual fees are stated in each category listed below and must be paid prior to the event either by a mailed check or PayPal (see the Donations Tab on the Menu). Unfortunately, because of past situations, payment must be confirmed prior to the event unless prior approval is arranged.

INFORMATIONAL MEETING REQUEST

IMMHG can provide instructional meetings to showcase the work we do to honor our fallen heroes .  Please use this Color Guard form (filling in the appropriate areas) to let us know what you would like us to do. As mentioned above as we are primarily a Funeral Honors group we accept any donations you may desire to provide.

COLOR GUARD PROCEDURES

As a Color Guard, we will present and post the colors for your organization. We are also available to retire the colors and present a narrated ceremonial “Thirteen Folds of the Flag”. Many groups find this very interesting and a patriotic way to open and conclude their assembly.

It is your responsibility and it is very important to let the venue know in advance that we will be bringing two unloaded ceremonial M1 Garand rifles into the venue for our ceremony. Adequate parking as near to the venue as possible must be provided.

POST, PRESENT and RETIRE THE COLORS

A typical Color Guard ceremony will include a Commander, two flag bearers, and two riflemen (known as “Flag Protection”). We will march in with the venue-provided colors and display them to the audience. We will then normally request that all attendees join in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Posting of the Colors, after which we will march from the room. We request a minimum of a $100.00 donation and adequate parking for this presentation, payable before or at the event.  Please select the tab Color Guard Request Form on the Menu, complete the required information, and submit.

THIRTEEN FOLDS PRESENTATION

This is a unique ceremony that provides a historic presentation of the background and reasons for each fold of our nation’s symbol of freedom. This usually will include a Commander, two flag bearers, and two riflemen. We will march in carrying a folded flag. After an introduction by the Commander, the two flag bearers will unfold and display the flag then refold it into a triangle fold. At each step of the refolding, the Commander will state the meaning attributed to that specific fold. After the folding is complete we will march out of the venue.  Adequate parking for this presentation is required. We request a minimum of a $150.00 donation unless this ceremony is in conjunction with an associated program such as a Color Guard, payable before or at the event.  Please select the tab Color Guard Request Form on the Menu, complete the required information, and submit.

Here is the meaning of each of the folds and what it means to you -

  • The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life
  • The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life
  • The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of all the veterans departing ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world
  • The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war
  • The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries may she always be right: but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
  • The sixth fold is where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all
  • The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without boundaries of our republic
  • The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and honor Mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day
  • The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded
  • The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of this country since they were firstborn
  • The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
  • The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father,  the Son, and Holy Spirit

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation’s motto, “In God We Trust”.

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the Soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by the comrades and shipmates in all of the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

The next time you see a flag ceremony honoring someone that has served our country, either in the Armed Forces or in our civilian services such as the Police Force or Fire Department, keep in mind all the important reasons behind every movement. They have paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us by honoring our flag and our country.”