Wed May 10th: OPERATION HONOR GUARD Day of Giving; Ten Years, $2 million, and Counting

Wednesday, May 10th is Operation Honor Guard.  This annual “Day of Giving” is about donations that allow our Veterans serving in the local Honor Guards to have the absolute best in uniforms when they honor those who served our country at their funeral services.  This entire effort was started ten years ago by Sunset Funeral Home’s Rich Darby, who once again recalls for us, that moment, during a hot August graveside service, when he realized, “Hey, wait a minute, we need to do something here.”

AUDIO:  I looked to my left and there stood and local Honor Guard.  They were sweating too, but they weren’t feeling sorry for themselves.  At that time they had blue blazers that were actually hand-me-downs from the courthouse bailiffs; just well, well used.  And then they all had gray pants; but there were so many different shades of gray it wasn’t even funny. 

And now, numerous sites all over Central Illinois are involved in Operation Honor Guard.  As Darby explains, the money raised is distributed to area American Legion and VFW posts so that their Honor Guards look the absolute best.  And the more involvement, the more they receive.

AUDIO:  This is kind of a sweat equity program.  On the “Day of Giving,” you’re going to see a lot of Honor Guards there in their uniforms.  And those that bring a bunch of Honor Guard members to help, they get more money.  I’ve always been a firm believer of, you know, if you work hard and you stay for long and you bring a lot of people, you get a bigger check.

At first, this was done every October.  But then it was moved to May for better weather.  It was a bit cloudy last year, but the forecast for this year is looking great.

Danville’s location is once again Hall of Fame Plaques and Signs, at 3550 North Vermilion across from Applebees.  Donations can also be dropped off at Sunset Funeral Home in Westville.

Last year’s Operation Honor Guard Day of Giving brought in $15,800 at the Danville location, and $135,000 region wide.  In fact, over these ten years, the total has hit the $2 million mark.  Remember, you can also make a donation on-line.  Just go to https://www.operationhonorguard.us/day-of-giving/.

You’ll find the link at the end of this story on our website, vermilioncountyfirst.com.