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Who We Are

Operation Honor Guard, NFP is a 501(c)(3) that raises money for veteran service organizations that provide military funerals for fallen veterans.
The organization was started by a funeral director in Danville, IL, who saw the need to help the Honor Guards in his hometown replace mismatched and worn uniforms. Members of Honor Guards often pay to acquire their own uniforms and gear. Many even pay their own travel expenses. Operation Honor Guard, NFP’s mission is to outfit every Honor Guard in the United States.

Our Approach to Support Honor Guards

  • 1 Raise money to support all Honor Guards.
  • 2 Recruit younger veteran Honor Guard members.
  • 3 Heighten awareness and raise the need for continued support.
Operation Honor Guard $135,000 Donation
Operation Honor Guard $166,270 Donation
Operation Honor Guard $5000 Donation
Operation Honor Guard $10,500 Donation
Operation Honor Guard $5000 Donation
Operation Honor Guard $5000 Donation
Operation Honor Guard Donation $44,000 Donation

Facts to Know

Members of the Honor Guard are volunteer veterans.

Many details are struggling financially and need your help.

The majority of Honor Guard members are 75 years and older.

Operation Honor Guard, NFP’s main fundraiser is the Day of Giving.

How OHG started

How did Operation Honor Guard get its start? First, you must know a little about Rich Darby. Rich and his family have been in the business of helping people for over half a century; owning funeral homes and cemeteries in Illinois, Indiana, and Arizona.

 

In August 2013, Rich, a licensed funeral director, was working a military funeral on an intensely hot and humid day at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville, IL. He recalls thinking, “This heat is unbearable. I hope this service doesn’t last much longer.”

​Admittedly feeling sorry for himself, he shifted his focus to the Honor Guard. The volunteer veterans averaging over 75 years old were standing at attention; all red faced and perspiring. He noticed their worn uniform jackets, mismatched pants, frayed flags and faded hats. Rich began to realize he was pretty fortunate. He thought about how the fact Honor Guard serves in all weather conditions, any time of day, and without compensation.
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​Rich felt compelled to help. Operation Honor Guard was born. The first item of business was to hold a fundraiser to purchase Danville Illinois’ American Legion Post 210’s Honor Guard’s new uniforms. Since that brutally hot day in 2013, hundreds of Honor Guards have benefited from grants. Operation Honor Guard is now its very own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Rich Darby

Help complete the mission