Local color guard needs new leader to keep going

FREMONT – After a 1999 merger between the local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, a longstanding tradition of presenting a color guard at area events and funerals might come to an end if a new sergeant at arms is not found.

After serving five years as the group’s sergeant at arms, Gary Reel has decided to retire, citing health concerns as his main reason for leaving.

“The program will come to an end if a new sergeant is not named,” Reel said. “It’s a shame.”

A veteran of the Air Force, Reel said that the job responsibilities are becoming more of a challenge and that he has decided to serve the color guard as a rifleman.

“This is a nationwide problem,” Reel said about color guards struggling to find members. “Older veterans are dying and younger vets are not interested.”

Reel, who has been in the color guard for the past 10 years, said the local post is recognizable from marching in parades, school events and holidays. Most notably, Reel said, the guard presents colors at funerals for fallen service members who have been honorably discharged from the military.

“We have veterans from World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, where I served. This really is a job for retired veterans. Fewer and fewer people are joining (the color guard),” Reel said.

He said there are 19 members of the color guard in Fremont, none of whom has volunteered to take on the responsibilities of sergeant at arms who organizes and schedules appearances.

“We are trying to continue (the color guard) but (sergeant at arms) is time-consuming. We average about 55 funerals a year and are involved in a lot of programs,” Reel said.

A funeral last Saturday was Reel’s last as sergeant at arms before switching to his new role as a rifleman, and the future of the color guard is uncertain, he said.

cshoup@gannett.com

419-334-1035

Twitter: @CraigShoupNH

Veterans honorably discharged looking volunteer can call the American Legion at 419-332-3391 or the VFW at 419-334-2251.