Women Honor Veterans By Serving On Webster Legion Honor Guard
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
Elyse Hardin, Berniece Wiggs and Carol Hanlin are the first women to ever serve on the 31-member honor guard, according to North Webster Honor Guard Sgt. of Arms Larry Shock.[[In-content Ad]]Shock, who has served as sergeant of arms for the past two years, said the women contribute a lot to the honor guard.
"I think it is fantastic that we have women on our honor guard, and I hope it encourages other service women to consider serving," Shock said.
The honor guard volunteers conduct flag ceremonies for deceased North Webster Legion members. They also honor veterans at Memorial Day and Veterans Day services at local cemeteries.
Shock said to qualify to be on the honor guard, a person must be a member of the North Webster Legion.
The honor guard was started by Shock's uncle, Tillman Coy, in the 1950s when Coy served as sergeant of arms.
Shock's first cousin, Dick Shock, took over as sergeant of arms. Jim Hernandez served in the position for a few years, and Shock took over two years ago.
Serving on the honor guard is a year-round commitment.
The women who serve on the honor guard have completed military service in different capacities.
Hardin, 24, a 2002 Wawasee High School graduate, is the youngest on the honor guard and has been on the honor guard for six months. She has been a North Webster Legion member for six years.
She served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Hardin said although she was never served in combat, she served overseas for three years as a Marine security guard for embassies overseas.
As a member of the honor guard, she has performed details for July 4th functions, Marines' birthdays and retirement ceremonies. She has served on the legion's flag and firing details.
She said she thinks it is important for women to serve on the honor guard.
Hardin said she enjoys hearing war stories from other veterans.
"Whenever military people get together, we always have to talk about how it was when we were in," Hardin said.
Wiggs, 87, North Webster, has served on the honor guard for a year and has been a member of the legion for the past 30 years. She also served as the legion's former public relations officer.
She served in World War II from 1942 to 1945 in the medical supply division in North Africa and Italy.
"It is an honor to help families remember their relatives who served in the war because all I can think about when I perform my duties on the honor guard is the sacrifices the veterans have made," Wiggs said.
Hanlin, 53, Leesburg, has served on the honor guard for three years and has been a member of the North Webster legion for four years. Hanlin currently serves as the legion's vice commander.
She is a Vietnam veteran, who served from 1974-75 in ammunition supply and received sharpshooter certification to operate M-16 rifles.
Hanlin said she is honored to serve on the honor guard.
"I wanted to volunteer to serve on the honor guard because I feel it is important to give last respects to our veterans and show their families they are being honored for their relative's service," Hanlin said.
Elyse Hardin, Berniece Wiggs and Carol Hanlin are the first women to ever serve on the 31-member honor guard, according to North Webster Honor Guard Sgt. of Arms Larry Shock.[[In-content Ad]]Shock, who has served as sergeant of arms for the past two years, said the women contribute a lot to the honor guard.
"I think it is fantastic that we have women on our honor guard, and I hope it encourages other service women to consider serving," Shock said.
The honor guard volunteers conduct flag ceremonies for deceased North Webster Legion members. They also honor veterans at Memorial Day and Veterans Day services at local cemeteries.
Shock said to qualify to be on the honor guard, a person must be a member of the North Webster Legion.
The honor guard was started by Shock's uncle, Tillman Coy, in the 1950s when Coy served as sergeant of arms.
Shock's first cousin, Dick Shock, took over as sergeant of arms. Jim Hernandez served in the position for a few years, and Shock took over two years ago.
Serving on the honor guard is a year-round commitment.
The women who serve on the honor guard have completed military service in different capacities.
Hardin, 24, a 2002 Wawasee High School graduate, is the youngest on the honor guard and has been on the honor guard for six months. She has been a North Webster Legion member for six years.
She served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Hardin said although she was never served in combat, she served overseas for three years as a Marine security guard for embassies overseas.
As a member of the honor guard, she has performed details for July 4th functions, Marines' birthdays and retirement ceremonies. She has served on the legion's flag and firing details.
She said she thinks it is important for women to serve on the honor guard.
Hardin said she enjoys hearing war stories from other veterans.
"Whenever military people get together, we always have to talk about how it was when we were in," Hardin said.
Wiggs, 87, North Webster, has served on the honor guard for a year and has been a member of the legion for the past 30 years. She also served as the legion's former public relations officer.
She served in World War II from 1942 to 1945 in the medical supply division in North Africa and Italy.
"It is an honor to help families remember their relatives who served in the war because all I can think about when I perform my duties on the honor guard is the sacrifices the veterans have made," Wiggs said.
Hanlin, 53, Leesburg, has served on the honor guard for three years and has been a member of the North Webster legion for four years. Hanlin currently serves as the legion's vice commander.
She is a Vietnam veteran, who served from 1974-75 in ammunition supply and received sharpshooter certification to operate M-16 rifles.
Hanlin said she is honored to serve on the honor guard.
"I wanted to volunteer to serve on the honor guard because I feel it is important to give last respects to our veterans and show their families they are being honored for their relative's service," Hanlin said.
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