The significance of the Honor Guard

February 28, 2024

The tradition of the honor guard in the fire service, like many other practices in this vocation, has its roots in the military. The significance and importance of these ceremonial guards is simple at its core and is found in its name: it is to honor.

According to Merriam-Webster, to honor is “to regard or treat (someone) with admiration and respect: to regard or treat with honor.”

A great deal of pride and respect are fundamental to the culture of the fire service. The formality and ceremonialness of the honor guard during promotions, parades, funerals, and other events dignifies the fire service and the people who protect our communities.

“The emotional part of it… it’s like a roller coaster,” Lexington County Fire Service Captain Tony Banco said of participating in the honor guard. Capt. Banco is part of the leadership team that coordinates and oversees LCFS’ honor guard activities.

Due to the nature of the honor guard, many associate it with funerals.

Berea Fire Department Lieutenant Jonathan Dewease is part of the honor guard organized through Greenville County Chiefs Association. Lt. Dewease offers perspective on the honor guard being present at the funeral of a fallen firefighter, stating, “We’re taking somebody’s probably worst possible time in their life and trying to give them a little bit of stability and reverence to their loved one.”

Capt. Banco echoed Lt. Dewease’s sentiments.

“You’re there in critical times, not just the ones that comes on the fire truck which we see a lot, but we get to be there to comfort the family, to help the family during a horrible time in their life,” Capt. Banco continued, “It helps with closure.”

But the honor guard plays a role in the happy times, too, like retirement celebrations.

Trystan Weir, Lieutenant at Horry County Fire-Rescue, assists with the management of Horry County’s honor guard. He notes how important it is to pay homage to the members of the department who have sacrificed years of their lives to serve their community.

“The least we can do is show up and support them show them with how much they meant to us over that time,” Lt. Weir tells, “But it also makes them feel good because when the Honor Guard is there and there’s structure to the event... it makes them, their families, and everyone else feel good about what they did.”

The Association calls upon the state’s honor guards to participate in numerous events, the most notable being the South Carolina Fire-Rescue conference. The honor guard participants in several events throughout the week, including the Opening Ceremonies on Thursday and Transfer of Command on Saturday. Bringing your department’s honor guard to Fire-Rescue is an opportunity to showcase your department! If you’re part of an honor guard and would like to participate in Fire-Rescue activities, please email [email protected].