The primary mission of the Neal Thomas Jr. Centennial American Legion Post 209 Honor Guard is to support final honors for our veterans, followed by supporting our post and our community. The members of the honor guard showed very strong support in all mission areas by supporting 72 events during the 2024 calendar year. Of these, 68 were final honors for our veterans, one presentation-of-colors event for our community, two ceremonies for Pikes Peak National Cemetery supporting Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America, and one ceremony for our post supporting the Post Everlasting ceremony.

One member of the honor guard stands out in providing support to our veterans, our post and our community – Jeff Heischman. Jeff joined the guard in November 2023 when answering a call for anyone willing to support even just one event a month, because that one event might be the one the honor guard cannot support without another available member. This year Jeff has become much more than a “one event a month” member. Out of the 72 events the honor guard supported in 2024, Jeff supported 63. Final honors for our veterans accounted for 60 of the events, 88% of the total final honors performed. Jeff was that one “available member” for 31 of those final honors, ensuring those veterans received the honors they earned and deserved. Our veterans, our post and our community are very lucky to have Jeff as a member of the Neal Thomas Jr. Centennial American Legion Post 209 Honor Guard.