Honoring veterans that have passed on continues to be a passion for Kelly Greene.
Since joining up with the Carter County Honor Guard three years ago, Greene added the joy continues, but a need is coming up to address the concerns for member enrollment.
“We are proud to carry the title of the Carter County Honor Guard,” Greene said about the current group. “But we are in need of help once again. The folks that have carried the banner for years have the need to retire. We need folks to step up and give back once again so that a veteran and their families receive the honor and respect they are entitled to and have already earned.
“A lot of us are getting too old to carry much now,” Greene said with a chuckle.
The group works to help address the needs of families’ dealing through the time of loss when a veteran passes away.
“The men and women who make up the Carter County Honor Guard are dedicated and loyal to serving veterans and their families during the time of their loss,” Greene said. “Funeral services are a top priority, but they do several other functions to serve our communities and veterans.”
Members of the Honor Guard also have different things to delve into, Greene added. The Honor Guard is often asked to attend schools and talk to students about what it is like to be in the military, why it is important to be a veteran and why the members have served.
Greene spoke about the importance of having these events during a recent phone interview with the Elizabethton Star.
One of the key component of the Honor Guard includes the demonstration of the folds of the United States flag. Greene said Thursday he had recently just completed one of the demonstration and spoke of just one examples of the folding process.
“The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our nation to attain peace throughout the world,” Greene said. “It’s such a great ceremony and there a lot of people that are unaware of what it really means.”
The recent recruitment call saw two individuals express interest, Greene said. Whether it is in a part time of full time capacity, the member says any and all local veterans are invited to take part in the Honor Guard.
“It is rewarding in many ways, the feeling in your heart once you’ve participated in a service,” Greene said. “Just knowing that you have been part of a very important stage of the families’ lives.. We would be honored to have someone that feels that ‘call of duty’ again.”
Support also tends to show itself in a variety of other ways from the community, too.
Greene added he appreciated the donations that support the Honor Guard. Along with crediting the American Legion Post #49, the local V.F.W, D.A.V. and other organizations have done their part to support the cause, Greene said.
Along with support from other veteran organizations, Greene said local businesses have showcased their support in a multitude of ways, including Bob’s Dairyland in Roan Mountain.
“Even folks such as Bob’s Dairyland in Roan Mountain welcomes us in for a meal in ice cream cone when we are doing duties in that area,” Greene said. “On a hot day, that ice cream cone means a lot. Especially to our oldest 82-year-old Marine, ‘Wimp’. He says he loves that ‘Bob’s place’. There are other eateries too that support us with a meal on occasion. It is it very appreciated.”
For more information on the Carter County Honor Guard, visit the Carter County Tennessee Honor Guard Facebook page online or call Greene at (423) 895-3819 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.