Welcome
Honor, Integrity, Service
We, as the first responders of Mobile County, Alabama come together and provide honor guard services to honor our heroes.
TAPS - Mobile Metro Honor Guard
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Honoring Our Heroes
TAPS is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing dignified veteran funeral services for fallen military veterans and honor guard service for first responders. We are committed to honoring the sacrifice and legacy of those who have selflessly served our country and communities.
veterans organizations are fading away
Honor
Integrity
Integrity
I stood next the casket as the cold wind whipped across my face, trying to steal the blue, service cap from my head. I was thankful for the chin strap today. Other days, the hot ones, it was a nuisance to me.
My arms trembled both, from the lack of degrees on the thermometer, and the awesome pressure, of standing before a grieving family, while holding the field portion of a stiff, new American flag at waist level.
I knew that as soon as the last note of TAPS drifted away, across the field of headstones, I would be the focus of attention as I had been given the Honor of folding that flag, with my own trembling hands, clad in virgin gloves.
This symbol was special, with each of its 13 folds having their own specific meaning, ending in a triangle of pure white stars embroidered upon a canton of regal blue. It would likely now be the most revered flag to this family for generations.
Families may request that these 13 meanings to the 13 folds be recited as Old Glory is being prepared for presentation.
No one ever does.
As the bugler solemnly strolled, through the 24 sacred notes of his tune, I silently spoke the words one never sings, to a widow who is saying farewell, to her soldier.
"Day is done,
Gone the sun,
From the hills,
From the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
Safely rest,
God is nigh."
In my time, being part of an Honor Guard was a true distinction. Candidates competed for these spots and were chosen as the best among their peers. It was understood that one would often stand rigidly at Attention, in all manner of weather, for long periods of time. It was common knowledge that hours would be spent preparing the perfect uniform for the service.
It was a thankless job for the sentinel, to give thanks to the fallen brother or sister, but it was the right thing to do. It was the honorable thing to do. For his or her family, it was the least one could do.
Today things look a bit little different.
Integrity
Integrity
Integrity
One of the seven core values, of the U.S. Army, that I was taught to trust in, was the duty to do the right thing, always.
Our forefathers called it,
Integrity.
According to a Wall Street Journal report from September 2021, veterans organizations across the US are dwindling. The article noted that, as the older generations of veterans pass away, they are not being replaced by the younger veterans of the countless years of war in the deserts of the Middle East.
VFW and American Legion posts find themselves being closed or consolidated by the score as their lists, of active members are transferred, from the role books to the faces of their own head stones.
These were the sentinels, on the Homefront, who escorted our fighting men and women to Fiddler's Green or Valhalla or which ever other, ethereal assignment they were transferring to.
They were uniquely qualified to do so. They had themselves, as the eighth fold of the flag represents, entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.
These patriots would adorn themselves in pressed uniforms and fire Three Volley Salutes for any honorable warrior who passed their way.
Now they often go alone, to their own venerated places, hoping someone will be there to fold a flag for them.
Military Reserve units once also maintained fully trained Honor Guards. They eventually became known as two person, Funeral Details, which in and of its own right, always disturbs me to hear.
In the good old days, you ended up on a detail as a punishment. Perhaps we really should rethink that name.
First Responders, like Police and Fire Fighters, also observe the same honors for their fallen. Naturally because many of those local heroes were once military members too.
For many executives those units, which are infrequently deployed, don't justify the costs of perpetual training. Fewer still, consider the upkeep of equipment which one never sees.
Compounding that dilemma is the fact that the training needed is hard to come by and requires far too many tax dollars to fund.
The schools are long and require the absence, of often the best personnel, for extended periods of time.
So our fallen warriors are essentially carried away, having given a huge piece of their souls for our liberty and in service to those who came and went before them.
We, as former military and public service members, should surely face that same unintentional apathy, when our time comes.
Service
Integrity
Service
In 2022, I was recovering from cancer surgery, when a member of the Command Staff, of the agency I worked for, asked me to rebuild the department's Honor Guard.
The unit, at that time, was made up of faithful volunteers who gave freely of their time and efforts. The problems they faced were neither their fault nor within their control.
I was promised every support and funding required, to establish a legitimate and well organized unit. I quickly discovered, however, that I was very literally starting from square one, as the now decades old unit, possessed not one piece of actual and serviceable Honor Guard equipment.
I compiled a detailed 30 page analysis of the unit and a budget. I presented it to the powers that be and the green light was brightly lit. I began to equip and to train what is now widely known as,
The Black Hats!
I assure you that, also in regard to Honor Guards, there is always, a "but."
The initial start up, from point zero to fully equipped, was not terribly high. The Honor Guard was staffed with 21 people and each person cost just over $1,000.00 to equip.
Maintenance and training were recurring costs that were covered, by the fees paid by civilians, for pistol permits in our county. That fund was healthy and all was well.
One day though, that law governing the need for such permits in the State of Alabama, was repealed. As the restrictive ordinance died, so did the only source of funding for the Black Hats.
Bad news travels really fast. The Black Hats were left without funding and though no one else would entertain the idea, it was obvious that this Honor Guard would also perish from neglect.
That didn't happen though. Instead, I created TAPS.
TAPS is a nonprofit organization that seeks funding through donations and uses this funding to provide the Black Hats with equipment, travel expenses and training. In the interim, the Black Hats have not only continued to offer and perform funeral honors for our own fallen personnel but have become the only standing and trained honor guard along the Mississippi-Alabama Gulf Coast.
They render funeral honors for military and first responder veterans, conduct training courses in local middle and high school military (ROTC) programs and support local organizations with a fully (and properly) equipped Color Guard!
The morale of this elite unit is amazing as well. In the last twelve months, not a single member has relinquished their position on this team while several others have joined. That alone speaks for itself.
Your support is what keeps our services available to our community! We need you and we appreciate you so much!
Thank YOU for YOUR service!
Empower TAPS
TAPS was created to provide a well trained and equipped Honor Guard for all first responders and fallen veterans in the Mobile County area of Alabama.
It is our mission to ensure that proper services are rendered to those who have given their lives to the service of their country and community!
Through the Lens of Giving: TAPS in Pictures
Training does Make all the Difference
TAPS - Honor Guard 101 for First Responders
Our Honor Guard 101 Program consists of the following and more:
• 40 hours of regimented (no unnecessarily long breaks), basic fundamentals of Honor Guard Services Training for your entire team. (Up to 15 students per session.)
• The training will be conducted at your location. (No travel expenses for you.)
• Your Honor Guard trains in their own training uniform. (No additional t-shirts or hats to purchase.)
• HONOR GUARD 101 will provide all training equipment needed for the week.
• No overnight accommodations required for the instructor. (Nearly all other schools require this.)
• 4 hours of one-on-one Commander Training to include access to resources for Honor Guards.
• Annual or semi-annual Refresher Training at a greatly reduced price.
All proceeds go right back into the TAPS nonprofit program!
Get Started Now!
If your agency is interested in discussing a personalized curriculum and price, click this button and let's get in touch!
Our 2025 PLATINUM Partners ($1,000.00+)
Our 2025 GOLD Partners $501.00 - $1,000.00
Our 2025 SILVER Partners $101.00 - $500.00
Our 2025 BRONZE Partners up to $100.00
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TAPS
Mobile Metro
Honor Guard
600 Highland Woods Dr E, Mobile, AL 36608, USA
Hours
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
