At the beginning of each home football game, the audience is asked to direct their attention to the northeast side of the stadium while the Spartan Band performs the national anthem and the flag is raised. The aspect many attendees don’t notice is the honor guard from American Legion Buffalo Bill Post 347 who proudly honor their country and those who have served by performing flag bearing duties.
The American Legion, also known as “the Legion”, was founded in 1919 to protect veterans’ interests after the first world war. More than a century later, it has become the largest of America’s Veterans Service Organizations, with over 2.2 million members nationwide. The Legion’s current focuses are supporting VA healthcare and raising awareness for veteran suicides, which have been on the rise since 2021.
Pleasant Valley’s local post was founded in 2010 and is based in LeClaire. Its honor guard, composed of veterans from Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm, Iraq and various other conflicts, has performed flag bearing duties at countless local events including parades, football games and military ceremonies.
Members of the Spartan Band described seeing the Legion honor guard at various performances. “They’re always so regimented and focused. I think it’s really cool that we can have former members of the armed forces come out and march with us during parades,” recalled sophomore trumpet Connor Staab.
While the honor guard performs a multitude of different drills, the two most common are the flag salute and the rifle volley. During the flag salute, honor guard members lead with flag bearing duties during or after the national anthem; the rifle volley can often be heard during services or ceremonies. In the past, trumpet players from PV’s high school band have collaborated with Post 347 to play Taps for Memorial Day ceremonies and veterans celebrations.
In 2023, long-time Legion member Randall “Randy” Brockhouse passed away at 68, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to a community he loved. Randy was the nephew of Bob Brockhouse, who many PV students remember as a prominent figure in the local community, from helping organize the 5th grade flag essay contest to accompanying the honor guard at Memorial Day ceremonies.
In fact, the entire Brockhouse family has been instrumental in setting up connections between Post 347 and PV schools. “Those of you who are privileged to know Mr. Bob Brockhouse, may not know that his older brother, Kenneth Brockhouse was instrumental in establishing the Pleasant Valley Community School District at the very beginning, and ensured that our Legion post was integrated with the school programs at all levels. Kenneth passed away in 2014, and since then, Bob has maintained that relationship as the liaison to the administration. His picture adorns the wall in the entrance foyer of PV High School,” said Karl Kreiling, the adjutant of Post 347’s honor guard. Bob Brockhouse has also maintained Randy and Kenneth’s legacy by being the Post Chaplain, and has performed flag raising ceremonies in many elementary and secondary school events over the years.
Members of the Legion take pride in being able to represent their country at PV events. “One of my most rewarding experiences occurs when members of the PV High School band and football team take the time as they enter the stadium to come over, and shake our hands, thanking us for our service to the country. Not everyone does this, but some offer that they remember us from when they were 5th Graders, and in some cases their parents also remember the Legion members. In all of the aforementioned our Honor Guard truly feels part of the Spartan Nation,” stated Kreiling.
Buffalo Bill Post 347 plans to continue to support their fellow veterans in the coming years and to remain an active part of the Pleasant Valley community. The Legion’s countless contributions and passion for honoring veterans served as a symbol of inspiration throughout the community it serves.
