The honor guard is currently made up of volunteer veterans from the membership of the American Legion (AL) Post 250 in Tyron and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3116 of Columbus and Post 10349 of Mill Spring.
The Honor Guard has already been very busy this year with many requests for their services from deceased veteran’s families.
The unit also provides the colors and escorts for parades, and ceremonies that require the presentation of the colors at the event.
We service primarily Polk County but have traveled to nearby towns outside Polk County upon request for those areas that do not have a unit locally.
In order to be a member of the Honor Guard a prospect must either be currently serving in the armed forces and available for service calls, such as a member of the (National Guard), or had been honorably discharged from any branch of the Armed forces.
It is preferred that the prospect also be an active member of either the American Legion or the VFW but is not mandatory.
The Command of the unit was bestowed upon Bevin Corbin a 27 year retiree from the Army and the Senior Vice Commander of the American Legion, as of 1 January 2014.  Glen Burgess, AL Treasurer, is still active as Vice Commander, Mike Collins, AL Commander, is the Chaplin, and Morton Poliakoff, Ala. Adjutant is the Rifle Squad Leader.
Other current members are Scott Camp, Commander Columbus VFW, Chuck Davis, Howard Green, Dean Gregory, Robert Holycross, John Magee, George Sain, Steve Shehan, and Leonard Wells, all members of the AL and/or VFW.
The Honor Guard is currently conducting a fund raising drive to help cover the cost and upkeep of uniforms (cleaning, alterations, new member fitting, etc.), equipment (rifle cleaning equipment, ammunition, flags, etc.) and reimbursement of fuel cost.
Members use their own personal vehicles to travel to events and the unit “car pools” whenever possible.  Donations can be presented to any Horror Guard member directly or mailed to the Honor Guard Commander at the American Legion post 250, 43 Depot St., Tryon, N.C. 28782.
It is an honor to provide the last rites military honors for any and all deceased veterans and participate  in any event an organization may have where presentation of the colors and/or the presences of the Honor Guard is requested.

– article submitted
by Bevin Corbin