Page 18 - Focus Carlsbad Summer 2019

Honor Guard sets up in front of the parade to the minute we're
standing here, it's all just a strong and vibrant thanking and honoring
our fallen veterans especially on Memorial Day," he said.

"This day [Memorial Day] encompasses those who have died, those
who have given their lives for our country and this nation. When I
hear so many people are so grateful and then I see the faces out there
of the people remembering their comrades and their fellow soldiers
that have fallen beside them … I can see in their faces. They’re
remembering that. To be here in Carlsbad and to be a part of this is
just a blessing beyond my expression."

The Honor Guard has been around for several years and Sam joined
because he wanted to give back. “Being in the service, I saw the
sacrifice of so many giving up their families and some giving up their
lives. I felt like it was just something important to do to show the
community we care," he said.

Plumlee said the Honor Guard can be found at funerals for veterans
and post colors for other events. "The thing that I’m most impressed
with is the funerals that we do to honor veterans and their families.
It always has a strong impact on me and the others when we do the
three round volley and then we present the flag and tears just start
to flow," he said. “It’s just a good feeling that you're giving back
something."

Sam said being in the Honor Guard gives him a sense of giving back to
his fellow Vietnam veterans. "There's always that intention of giving
back to them and giving them respect and to remember them bravely
and fondly. I think it causes us all to want to be a little more, even if it’s
just in our community doing what we do every day," he said.

Even though he's been out of the military for a number of decades,
Plumlee said being in the Honor Guard is what he's supposed to be A member of the Carlsbad
doing. "Our soldiers who fought before, they did it because that was Veterans Honor Guard stands at
the right thing to do. To me, this is the right thing to do and I wish we attention during the Star Spangled
Banner during the Memorial Day
had more veterans that would step up and try to serve because our Ceremony in Carlsbad.
numbers sometimes get thin," he said. "It's the right thing to do."

A member of the Carlsbad
Veterans Honor Guard plays Taps
Members of the Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard get ready to during the Carlsbad Memorial
fire a salute during the Carlsbad Memorial Day Ceremony. Day Ceremony.

18 FOCUS ON CARLSBAD | SPRING 2019