Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Honor Guard MSD Monday Squad

Richard Martinez official MSD photo

with great sadness the MSD Monday Squad has lost another Life member on 3 September 2024. Richard Martinez served MSD in staff positions and as the assistant Squad Leader. He joined MSD on 3 April 2000 and retired December 2008. He volunteered 482* hours and performed 418* honors (* records during the years of January thru November 2005 are not available) to veterans that would otherwise would not receive than. He will be missed but not forgotten. Rest in Peace our brother and friend.

It is with great sadness that Monday Squad has lost two more members this past week.
Fredrico Garcia SgtMaj US Army (ret) and Arturo Rodriguez SSgt US Army(ret).
Fred was a member for one year worked 335 hours and performed 234 military honors services.
Arturo was a member for 5 years, earning the Life Membership tab, and worked approximately 493 hours and performed over 482 military honors services.
Both of these men served with the highest and most professional standards. They will be missed, but not forgotten.

It is great sadness that Monday Squad has lost one of its own. Tom Ballinger passed away 25 March 2022. Tom was a life member of the MSD, serving 4365 hrs., and providing 2655 honors to veterans.
He served MSD from July 2011 - March 2022 (he was last present 14 March). Tom was a Commander of MSD, and treasurer for the USS Ranger Association, and a life member of the VFW. He was a Viet Nam "Blue" water Navy veteran. Tom your presence will be sorely missed but not forgotten.

It is with great sadness that Monday squad has lost one its own. Felix Guerra has passed away. He was a member from 19 Sept 1998 - 1 Sept 2008. Earned the Bronze Star, Purle Heart, Air Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Exped. Medal (Vietnam), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct (w/oak leaf cluster), and Air Crewman Badge He was also a Life Member of the Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery Memorial Services Detachment. He will be remembered.

The guys relaxing before the next service

Monday Squad performing the 40,000th Military Honors, Taps, Flag and Shell presentation, and plaque award ceremony

Here's what happened last Monday

As of 8 February 2021 Robert Ramirez will be the Squad leader, and Bill Neuiszer will be the Assist. Squad Leader for the Monday Squad. Squad Leader Steve Shaffer is stepping down after 13 yrs. in leadership positions. Congratulations on your promotions.

Getting ready to march to our firing position. Those are rain drops not snow flakes, it was quite a wet day, pre-covid-19

Chris Powers receiving awards (medal, citations, and Life member tab) from the U S Army, Texas government leaders, and Squad leader Shaffer. All pre-Covid 19

Here are some pics of the guys from the past. I am currently the only one still active of the bunch. A great group of guys that gave their all and had a great time doing honors.