Constitution of the Veterans Military Honor Guard of Pigeon Forge
Founded on December 3, 2015
Revision # 3, October 24, 2022

Preamble

We, the past and present members of the Armed Forces of the United States, hereinafter called the Armed Forces, and other members in order to form a precision Military Honor Guard that is worthy of the duty of honoring our deceased brethren and sisters do approve and establish this Constitution.

Article I

Name

As set forth in this Constitution, the “Veterans Military Honor Guard of Pigeon Forge” is the name of this organization, hereinafter referred to as the Honor Guard.

Article II

Organization

The Honor Guard is an association of past or present members of the Armed Forces and other members, organized as a non-profit Tennessee Corporation, and shall operate in accordance with Federal Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c) (19).

Additionally:
    (a). The Honor Guard shall issue no stock.
    (b). No member shall have any financial interest in any of the income, earnings, assets, or property of this organization.
    (c). No part of this organization shall be withdrawn or distributed to any of its board members, officers, other members, or any other group or individual.
    (d). No part of the Honor Guard’s net earnings may inure to the benefit of any individual.

Article III
Affiliations

The Honor Guard is independent and unaffiliated with any other local, state, or national organization or group. However, it may apply to become an Authorized Provider under the Department of Defense Authorized Provider Partnership Program, (AP3).

Article IV
Motto, Missions, and Activities of the Honor Guard

Section 1. Motto: The motto of the Honor Guard is “Honoring Those Who Served”. It is in this spirit that the Honor Guard provides all its services and activities. It does so to show its profound gratitude to those who have served honorably in the defense of our Country. The sacrifice of a Veteran is repaid with the ultimate act of respect through the Honor Guard's role in all the patriotic services it provides.

Section 2. Primary Mission: The primary mission of the Honor Guard is to provide “Military Funeral Honors” for America’s deceased Veterans whose family requests this service. When the Honor Guard provides these services, some or all the following are available:
   (a). Military Pallbearers.
   (b). Military Chaplain.
   (c). Ceremonial Rifle Volley Salute.
   (d). Sounding of TAPS.
   (e). Flag Folding Ceremony.
   ( f). Flag Presentation to the Next of Kin.

Section 3. Secondary Mission: The secondary mission of the Honor Guard is to provide Color Guard patriotic services in support of the City of Pigeon Forge and the civic and business communities throughout Sevier County, and into the adjoining counties.

Section 4. Other Activities: Additional activities of the Honor Guard are to:
   (a). Promote the social welfare, common good, and general welfare of the people of the community.

  (b). Assist disabled and needy war Veterans, members of the Armed Forces and their dependents, and the widows and orphans of deceased Veterans.

   (c). Provide entertainment, care, and assistance to hospitalized Veterans or members of the Armed Forces.

   (d). Carry on programs to perpetuate the memory of deceased Veterans and members of the Armed Forces and comfort their survivors.

   (e). Conduct programs for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes.

   ( f). Provide social and recreational activities for its members.

  (g). Conduct or provide any other activity not listed above that would further promote the Honor Guard and its relationship with the community, as approved by the Honor Guard Board of Directors.

Article V
Rules of Conduct and Order

The Founders deemed the following principles and concepts important enough to be included in this Constitution:
   (a). The Honor Guard shall operate in accordance with the “SPIRIT” of this document and all other supporting documents.
   (b). All members shall conduct themselves in a professional manner and behave as ladies and gentlemen.
   (c). It is agreed that in the event of a disagreement concerning an issue of policy or a dispute between members, the issue will be resolved when it comes up, or as soon as feasible.

Article VI
Honor Guard Board of Directors, (BOD)

Section 1. Size, Purpose, and Responsibility of the BOD: The BOD consisting of up to nine (9) members is established to organize, control, oversee, and ensure the success of the Honor Guard. It is responsible for everything pertaining to the Honor Guard, and all members of the Honor Guard serve at the pleasure of the BOD.

Section 2. Officers of the BOD:
    (a). Chairman.
    (b). Vice Chairman.
    (c). President.
    (d). Vice President.
    (e). Secretary.
    ( f). Treasurer.
    (g). Historian.

Section 3. Duties of the BOD and its members are provided in the Bylaws.

Article VII
Honor Guard Operational Officers

Section 1. The Honor Guard is operated by the following officers, but additional officers are authorized if needed:
   (a) Commander.
   (b) Officer in Charge.
   (c). Arms Manager.
   (d). Chaplain.

Section 2. Duties of the Operational Officers are provided in the Bylaws.

Article VIII
Honor Guard Committees

To assist the Honor Guard BOD and/or Officers of the Honor Guard, committees and/or sub-committees may be appointed by either the BOD or the Officers of the Honor Guard.

Article IX
Other Supporting Documents and Records

The Founders foresaw the need for additional supporting documents and records to supplement the information contained in this Constitution. To fill this need, a separate Honor Guard Bylaws document is available. Additionally, a Standard Operating Procedures, (SOPS) document is available and maintained by the Honor Guard BOD. The SOPS specify how the Honor Guard does everything it does.

In addition to the Honor Guard Constitution, Honor Guard Bylaws, and the Honor Guard SOPS documents, the following additional documents and records are required and utilized by the Honor Guard:
    (a). Honor Guard History.
    (b). Internal records and documents for the needs of the Honor Guard.
    (c). External records and documents for reporting purposes to the Local, State, and Federal authorities.

Article X
Amendments to this Constitution

Any member of the Honor Guard may submit a proposed amendment to the Constitution to the BOD. Following a vote by 2/3 of the current BOD members to recommend approval of the proposed amendment, a recommendation by the BOD to amend the Honor Guard Constitution will proceed. The following process is established which will take place prior to and during a Combined BOD and Operational Membership Meeting:
    (a). Prior to the meeting, all members will be provided access to a copy of the proposed amendment.
   (b). At the meeting, those present will be briefed on the proposed amendment, and given the opportunity to question and discuss the proposed amendment.
   (c). Following discussion, the eligible voters present will vote to approve or not approve the proposed amendment. A simple majority of those voting is required for approval.
   (d). If the proposed amendment is approved, it will be deemed “in force” at that time, and all members will be notified as soon as possible.

Article XI
Dissolution of the Honor Guard

Upon final dissolution or liquidation of the Honor Guard, all US Army weapons, equipment, and supplies on loan to the Honor Guard from the US Army shall be returned to the US Army, and after the discharge of all other outstanding obligations and liabilities, the assets which are remaining shall be distributed to such charitable organization that have purposes similar to this organization, as determined by the BOD.

End of the Constitution, (Rev # 3)