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 83 events during the 2022 calendar year. Of the 83 events supported, 74 of those events were final honors for our veterans, five presentation-of-colors events for our post and our community, two ceremonies at Pikes Peak National Cemetery supporting Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America, one flag presentation, and a Veterans Day parade.

One member of the honor guard stands out in providing support to our veterans, our post and our community – Brad Henderson. Brad joined the honor guard in October 2021 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. Brad has become much more than a “one event a month” honor guard member. Out of the 83 events the honor guard supported in 2022, Brad supported 49. Final honors for our veterans accounted for 43 of those events, 58% of the total final honors performed by the honor guard. Brad was that one “available member” for 16 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 Brad as a member of the Post 209 honor guard.