Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, presents a Certificate of Recognition signed by the Governor of Virginia, Gov. Bob McDonnell, to Soldiers of the Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team in recognition of their recent performance of their 10,000th military funeral since the program’s founding in 2007. The program, which provides military funeral honors around the commonwealth, has grown steadily over the past six years, completing 157 funerals in 2007, and currently averaging 230 funerals a month. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Terra C. Gatti, Virginia Guard Public Affairs)
PETERSBURG, Va. — Maj. Gen. Daniel E. Long, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia, presented a Certificate of Recognition signed by the Governor of Virginia, Gov. Bob McDonnell, to Soldiers of the Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team in recognition of their recent performance of their 10,000th military funeral since the program’s founding in 2007.
The citation reads as follows:
Recognizing the Virginia National Guard Funeral Honors Program
WHEREAS, the National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States, and the Virginia National Guard traces the traditions of the selfless service to the founding of the Jamestown Colony in 1607; and
WHEREAS, the Army National Guard now performs 85% of Army funerals across the country; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program performed at its 10,000th military funeral Feb. 13, 2013; and
WHEREAS, the program provides funeral details not just to National Guard Soldiers but to veterans of all branches of the military across the state; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program receives great support from the three state veterans cemeteries in Amelia, Dublin and Suffolk and works with many veterans service organizations; and
WHEREAS, the program has grown considerably since it began in January 2007 where it provided nearly 160 funerals in 2007 and now averages more than 240 funerals a month; and
WHEREAS, in January 2013 the program had its busiest month ever, providing services at 284 funerals, which more than 14,000 people attended; and
WHEREAS, more than 100 traditional and 12 full-time Virginia National Guard Soldiers serve in Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program from units across the Commonwealth and 12 members are certified instructors after attending the Military Funeral Honors Course taught by former Old Guard Soldiers; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program has performed 14 funeral services for Veterans who were unclaimed remains and were provided services as a result of the Missing in Virginia Program; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program provides comfort to families to know that their loved ones will be laid to rest in a highly respectful and professional manner that pays tribute to their great service to our country; and
WHEREAS, the tremendous performance of the Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program is a great source of pride for all members of the Virginia National Guard and an important part of how Virginia honors the men and women who served before them; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize the VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD FUNERAL HONORS PROGRAM on this, the 13th day of February, 2013, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.
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Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program performs at 10,000th funeral
Photos: Va. Guard Funeral Honors Team recognized by Gov. for performing 10,000th funeral – July 16, 2013
