T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY From left to right, Marshalltown Combined Honor Guard members Mike Hanken, Bob Miller, Larry Tuttle and Roger Dirks pose for a photo in front of their soon to be former bus as they prepare to bring home a new one from Best Bus Sales in Des Plaines, Ill. after reaching their $82,000 fundraising goal.

The Marshalltown Combined Honor Guard has a near ubiquitous presence both leading parades at community events in the city and around the area as well as the funeral services of local veterans, so naturally, the vehicle they use to travel takes a lot of wear and tear. About two years ago, the group’s leaders set out to raise $82,000 for a new bus, and in just a few short weeks, Honor Guard Commander Bob Miller will bring it home from the Chicago area.

“This town has just been great in supporting veterans,” Miller said. “We’ve had $10,000 here and $10,000 here that was donated, so everyone’s been real supportive.”

Miller noted that the last bus the Honor Guard sold only garnered $50, but the one they’re offloading this time still has value and will go to the Ottumwa Honor Guard. Private donations poured in from near and far, as some of Miller’s old Navy shipmates in places like Texas and Florida even contributed.

The new bus is a 2024 model with just 320 miles on it, and it will still hold 14 passengers — like its predecessor — but is slightly longer, with more comfortable seats and a smoother ride. Participation in the esteemed group has remained strong in recent years with 29 current members, and they always send at least 12 people out to a military funeral to perform the proper honors.

This year, they’ve already performed honors at 52 funeral services and have been called out to surrounding communities both in Marshall County and as far away as Grundy Center, Eldora and Tama-Toledo. The Honor Guard will lead Friday’s Red, White and Blue celebration parade through the Iowa Veterans Home/13th Street District area and is also slated to appear at the upcoming Mousehole Days festival in Melbourne.

Miller plans to pick up the new bus from Best Bus Sales in Des Plaines, Ill., on July 17 and bring it back to Marshalltown the following day. To learn more about the Combined Honor Guard, visit https://www.facebook.com/p/Marshalltown-Combined-Honor-Guard-100064300014912/.