National Police Week Honor Guard Assignments

Each National Police Week, the Memorial Fund relies on Honor Guards from across America to participate in the following activities. Honor Guard activities for the Memorial Fund are coordinated by a team of volunteers, led by the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC and Brian Lacey, Assistant Director of Memorial Programs for the Memorial Fund.

Interested Honor Guards: Please fill out the Honor Guard Registration Form no later than March 16, 2012. Requests should include the number of assignable officers who will be in Washington, DC to participate in the activities.

The Events

Candlelight Vigil Ceremony, Sunday, May 13, 2012
The 24th Annual Candlelight Ceremony will be held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Honor Guard personnel will be needed for the following:

• Twelve color guard teams to stand at the front of the Memorial for the survivor bus arrival
• Honor cordon along E Street for the Survivor bus arrival
• Honor cordon along the Reflecting Pool for the Survivor arrival.
• Honor cordon for VIP arrival.
• Personnel to form a backdrop for the stage, during the Ceremony.
• Two-person teams to stand vigil, in ten-minute intervals with the Candle, from the time the National Colors are retired until midnight.

Survivor’s Vigil, Monday, May 14, 2012
From mid-day until midnight, two-person teams of law enforcement personnel will stand vigil at the Memorial with the various wreaths that will have been laid at the Memorial.

At midnight “Taps” will be played, as the Memorial’s flags will be lowered to half-staff.  A bugler will be needed for that purpose.

National Wreath Vigil, Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Following the conclusion of the National Peace Officers Memorial Day Service on the West Front Lawn of the US Capitol Building, the National Memorial Wreath will be transported to the Memorial. For a brief wreathlaying ceremony. Volunteers will be needed for the following assignments:

• Presentation of State flags
• Presentation of City and Department flags
• Honor Cordon for the National Wreath arrival
• Chaplain
• Bugler

After the wreathlaying ceremony, two-person teams of law enforcement personnel will stand vigil with the Wreath until midnight.

The Selection Process

Unfortunately, there will be more volunteers for each assignment than can be used. Priority will be given to those members of agencies that lost a member in 2011.

In the case of assignments regarding the Candlelight Vigil Ceremony, priority will be given to members of agencies that are having names added to the Memorial, regardless of the year of death. Please indicate if your agency fits either of these criteria.

In the event that there are still more volunteers than are needed, selections will be made on a random basis, however, please know that every effort will be made to accommodate any and all requests.  All assignments of time slots for vigils will be made on a random basis.

The Equipment

All equipment will be provided by each participating unit with the exception of the Memorial Fund flag on an as needed basis for the color teams assigned for the Candlelight Vigil.

The Deadline

All requests from law enforcement honor guard units to participate in National Police Week events that take place at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial must be received no later than March 16, 2012. Requests must be filled out online.

The Notification Process

A final list of assignments, including reporting times and places, will be emailed to all participating agencies on or before April 9th, 2012. The schedule will also be available online at www.LawMemorial.org.

Advance Check-in

Upon arrival to Washington, DC for National Police Week 2012 there will be designated times and locations in which a representative from the department may check in early to receive the department’s assignment package. Each department should identify one lead officer and one alternate officer to check in for the entire department. These designated times will also be used to answer any questions and to review each assignment’s duties and location. Information on the exact times and locations will be provided with the final list of assignments.

I hope this provides all the information you need.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Brian Lacey at 202/737-7138 (or brian@nleomf.com). Enclosed is a copy of National Police Week schedule, which will include information regarding other events, held that week, along with contact information. Lastly, allow me to thank you in advance to assisting us in honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s fallen heroes and their families.