Photo of a nameless soldier holding a folded flag with his head bowed in respect. Photo By: Staff Sergeant Cody Earl.
The mission of the Idaho Army Honor Guard is to represent the Idaho National Guard in ceremonial functions, to include rendering professional military funeral honors, in accordance with service tradition, to all eligible veterans when requested by an authorized family member, with dignity and pride for our community, our State and the United States Army.
The basic Military Funeral Honors (MFH) ceremony consists of the ceremonial folding of the American flag and the playing of taps. In accordance with federal regulations, (Title 10, Chapter 75, Section 1491, U.S.C.,) at least two active uniformed members of the Armed Forces must be present and at least one member from the veteran’s parent branch of service must be present. “Taps” will be played by a live bugler, or if a live bugler is unavailable, then a quality recording of “Taps” may be played.
The type of Funeral Honors rendered may be Full Military Honors, Modified Full Honors, or a Standard Honors Team Detail. Additionally, at the request of the family and upon the discretion of the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Honors Team Detail, Funeral Honors Teams may act as honorary pallbearers.
The different types of Military Funeral Honors consist of the following:
Reserved For: Soldiers Killed In Action, Medal of Honor Recipients
Consisting Of: ceremonial flag fold and presentation, three volleys of rifle fire, playing of taps
6 person flag fold w/ NCOIC
7 person firing party w/NCOIC
1 live bugler
4 person color guard
1 chaplain
Reserved For: Retired Military, Active Duty/Reserve/National Guard soldier not KIA, POW’s, Recipients of Bronze Star or Higher
Consisting Of: ceremonial flag fold and presentation, three volleys of rifle fire, playing of taps
6 pall bearers (if requested)
2 person flag fold
3 person firing party
1 bugler
1 chaplain (if requested)
Reserved For: Regular veterans
Consisting Of: ceremonial flag fold and presentation, playing of taps
2 person flag fold
1 live bugler