JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Beaches Honor Guard needs more active duty military members or veterans to help fulfill requests to provide services for military funerals throughout the Jacksonville area.
John Poe is a bugler for the Beaches Honor Guard.
It is one of many hats he wears now after serving in the United States Navy.
“I just felt that I needed to give something back to the community,” Poe said about joining the honor guard. “It is more than just a job. I do this because I want to.”
Poe is also the honor guard’s executive director.
He said more people are needed to take on roles with the Beaches Honor Guard so it can continue to serve at places like funerals, ceremonies and other events.
“I would love to have about 20 [volunteers] so that I would have a pool that is more flexible,” he said.
Some of the services the honor guard performs include presenting the colors, the last roll call, the firing of the three volleys, the funeral flag fold, and the live playing of TAPS.
The only requirement Poe said to join is each person must have served in the military.
Currently, Poe said there are about 15 members on the active roster.
Because of the uncertainty of availability, there are times when Poe has to make the tough phone call to decline a request from a grieving family that asks for their presence.
“I don’t feel really great about it,” Poe said of making those difficult decisions. “It is one of the hardest things I have to do is to turn down a service. I try to accept everything I can.”
Ideally, Poe said, having between six to eight members at each service or function is helpful so that every request can be honored.
Poe said when they are able to fulfill any request to pay tribute to a service member, it “touches [my heart].”
Anyone interested in signing up to join the Beaches Honor Guard can either call 904-294-4949 or visit this link.