This is the week, and Wednesday is the day. OPERATION HONOR GUARD 2022 is set to role. Almost a whole decade ago, Rich Darby from Sunset Funeral Home was at a graveside service for a Veteran on a hot August day, with the Honor Guard present for the service. And that’s when Darby noticed something, and a whole new movement began.
AUDIO: And I was sitting there soaking wet with sweat; just perspiration under my suit jacket, sweat dripping down my back; and I was feeling sorry for myself. And I kind of looked to my left and I just happened to have this “A HA” moment. I looked at my local Honor Guard standing there; ladies and gentlemen in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. And they had perspiration going down their temples, and they were soaking wet with sweat; but they weren’t feeling sorry for themselves.
And from there, efforts began to give Honor Guards in Vermilion County, and then numerous surrounding counties, new uniforms.
AUDIO: And I thought to myself, “you know, we need to help them.” I looked at their uniforms, they looked raggy and tattered, and it was at that moment I thought, “you know, it’s time. It’s time that we as a country, as a nation, reach out to them and help them and fund them; and help them raise money for their uniforms.”
Darby says this year’s efforts will hopefully provide for 60 to 70 Honor Guard units, which Darby says they have earned with their service.
AUDIO: These volunteers on the Honor Guard, they served our country years ago. And they came back home and they didn’t give up on us. They’re serving today by being on the Honor Guard. And I just feel that they don’t need to reach into their pockets and pay any money to, you know, look nice.
Darby himself will be at WCIA in Champaign on Wednesday; while other donation sites will be open at Hall of Fame Plaques and Signs in Danville, Sunset Funeral Home in Westville and Mahomet, Dawson and Wikoff Funeral Home in Decatur, Sav-Mor Pharmacy in Tuscola, and KC Summers Auto in Mattoon. D102 and K-ROCK will be broadcasting live from Hall of Fame Plaques and Signs from Noon to 2.
