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An honor guard, or ceremonial guard, is a ceremonial escort, often military in nature, usually composed of volunteers who are carefully screened for their ability and physical dexterity. Only those persons who are highly motivated and maintain exceptionally high standards of appearance and conduct and show aptitude for ceremonial duty are considered. The primary purpose of an honor guard is to provide funeral honors for fallen comrades.

An honor guard may also serve as the "guardians of the colors".






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An honor guard, or ceremonial guard, is a ceremonial escort, often military in nature, usually composed of volunteers who are carefully screened for their ability and physical dexterity. Only those persons who are highly motivated and maintain exceptionally high standards of appearance and conduct and show aptitude for ceremonial duty are considered. The primary purpose of an honor guard is to provide funeral honors for fallen comrades.

An honor guard may also serve as the "guardians of the colors". They present a nation's colors for various ceremonies and official state functions, both on and off base. Additionally, honor guards serve as ambassadors to the public, presenting a positive image of their service, and assisting with the recruiting effort.

United States

Each military branch has its own honor guard: Army
United States Army

The United States Army is the branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for Army operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S....
, Marines
United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing Military power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to rapidly deliver Marine Air-Ground Task Force....
, Navy
United States Navy

The United States Navy is the navy of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the United States Navy Reserve....
, Air Force
United States Air Force

The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Military of the United States and one of the uniformed services of the United States....
, and Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the Military of the United States and one of seven Uniformed services of the United States. In addition to being a military branch at all times, it is unique among the armed forces in that it is also a Admiralty law agency and a Federal government of the United States regulatory agency....
. Most state national guard units have a ceremonial guard as well. The official honor guard of every branch is based in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. , formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D.C., is the Capital of the United States, founded on July 16, 1790....
, though nearly every military installation will have its own honor guard for local ceremonies and events. The honor guard units in Washington, D.C. represent the military as a whole and the United States as a nation, and perform numerous ceremonies on behalf of the President of the United States
President of the United States

The President of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in the United States by influence and recognition....
.

Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia is a United States National Cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, The Robert E....
's Tomb of the Unknowns
Tomb of the Unknowns

The Tomb of the Unknowns is a monument dedicated to American servicemen who have died without their remains being identified. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in the United States....
 is guarded by the U.S. 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).

Brazil


The Brazilian armed forces and police have several troops for ceremonial usages. The most important of them is the Brazilian president's
President of Brazil

The President of Brazil is both the head of state and head of government of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The presidential system was established in 1889, upon the proclamation of the republic in a military coup d'et?t against the Pedro II of Brazil....
 honor guard
Honor guard

An honor guard, or ceremonial guard, is a ceremonial escort, often military in nature, usually composed of volunteers who are carefully screened for their ability and physical dexterity....
. It is composed of the 1st Guards Cavalry Regiment (1o Regimento de Cavalaria de Guardas - RCG, in Portuguese) - "Independence Dragoons
Dragoon

A dragoon is a soldier intended primarily to fight on foot but trained also in horse riding and cavalry combat, especially during the late 17th and early 18th centuries when dragoon regiments were established in most European armies....
", the Presidential Guard Battalion
Presidential Guard Battalion (Brazil)

The president of Brazil's honor guard is provided by the 1st Guards Cavalry Regiment - "Dragoon#Brazil", the Presidential Guard Battalion and Cayenne Battery....
 (Batalhão da Guarda Presidencial - BGP, in portuguese) and the Cayenne Battery
Cayenne Battery

The Cayenne Battery is one of three military units that comprising the president of Brazil's honor guard, the others being the 1st Guards Cavalry Regiment - "Dragoon#Brazil" and the Presidential Guard Battalion ....
 (formally, the Historical Cayenne Battery - Bateria Histórica Caiena, in Portuguese).

See also

  • Color guard
    Color guard

    In the military of the United States and other Military, the Color guard carries the Colours, standards and guidons#United States and other flags appropriate to its position in the chain of command....


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