Honor Guard

The veterans who make up the “Guy W. Iversen AMVET Post 49 Honor Guard” consider it a duty, an honor, and a privilege to participate in military rites for our departed fellow veterans.  They are also proud to take their flag program into the community schools and retirement communities, and share with their fellow citizens their love of country and their respect for their country’s flag.

The Honor Guard started out as a drill team in 1964. There were 20 members and, the uniform consisted of khaki shirt and pants, white leggings, white helmet liners, and black shoes. In the beginning they would meet to drill once a week. The uniform has changed twice since the Guard was formed.

The first change to come about was a switch to Air Force blues. After a few years the Air Force Blues were changed to include a summer uniform for the unit.  Currently the uniform consists of gray slacks, black shoes, white shirt, navy blue tie, a blue blazer for cool days, and the olive drab AMVET cap. In the winter the uniform includes a heavy navy blue jacket, white dickey, gloves, and a navy blue trooper cap.

The first Honor Guard Captain was the late Russ Llewellyn.  Other leaders of the unit included James Anderson and Orvin Schoville.  The current Honor Guard Captain is Marvin Mattfeld.

For over 45 years the Post 49 Honor Guard has performed military rites at funerals.  They have presented the colors at the dedications of public buildings; ground breaking ceremonies, and school functions such as high school and college football and basketball games.

The Honor Guard is in demand for parades in Cedar Falls and other communities within 60 miles of Cedar Falls. On one occasion the unit  traveled as many as 250 miles, round trip, to participate in a military funeral.

As well as the aforementioned activities, the Honor Guard also goes into the elementary public and parochial schools and retirement communities to conduct flag history, flag etiquette, and flag respect programs.

Currently there are nearly 50 members of AMVET Post 49 who can be called upon to participate in a function that requires the Honor Guard. At times they have participated in as many as nearly 50 funerals in a given year; they have participated in as many as 3 military rites services in one day. The longest serving member is Clair Bruce, adopted brother of Guy W. Iversen, who was present at its inception.

The first female member of the unit is Rheta Lawson, an Army veteran who was been a member from 1995 to 2008. All female veterans of the Armed Forces are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

As long as there is a Post 49 there will be an Honor Guard unit to represent the Post. As the old veterans drop out, younger veterans will hopefully step up. They serve the fallen veterans with pride, and as a reminder to our community of our respect for flag, country, and our fellow veterans.