Washington County Chamber to facilitate challenge grant as American Legion Honor Guard fundraiser surpasses $90,000
Funds will replace aging bus used for funerals, ceremonies and major community events
Trib Live reported that Members of the American Legion Post 175 Honor Guard travel throughout Washington County and surrounding areas to honor veterans at funeral services and to represent the military at civic and patriotic events across the community.
The Honor Guard’s bus carries members to everything from military funerals and holiday ceremonies to Flag Day and September 11 tributes, as well as major community events like the Pony League World Series. Just a month into 2026, the Honor Guard has already provided military honors at 15 funerals.
As the Honor Guard works to replace its aging, unreliable bus, the community — including strong backing from local businesses — has rallied behind the effort, pushing the fundraising campaign past $90,000. With the final phase of the campaign approaching, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Promotion Agency has agreed to facilitate a challenge grant on behalf of the Honor Guard.
The Honor Guard launched the campaign earlier this summer after its current bus, which has logged more than 228,000 miles, began to fail.
“We started this campaign because the bus was just falling apart,” said Dennis Bailey, commander of the American Legion Post 175 Honor Guard. “Parts were falling off on the way to services, and something had to be done. We can’t risk not being there when families are counting on us.”