📢 UPCOMING
🎖️ 54th AZ State Convention • June 19–20, 2026 • Glendale, AZ • Hosted by Old Breed Detachment #767 🎟️ Banquet tickets $65 • Reservation deadline June 10 • Contact Terry Byron: 520-982-0023 📞 Questions? Contact the Department or email cccdeptazmcl@hotmail.com 🎤 Guest Speaker: David Ossian • M4L National Committee Chair • Learn More 🏨 Convention Hotel • Comfort Inn & Suites, Glendale, AZ • $140/night incl. full breakfast • Reserve by May 15 • Group: Marine Corps League 🎖️ 54th AZ State Convention • June 19–20, 2026 • Glendale, AZ • Hosted by Old Breed Detachment #767 🎟️ Banquet tickets $65 • Reservation deadline June 10 • Contact Terry Byron: 520-982-0023 📞 Questions? Contact the Department or email cccdeptazmcl@hotmail.com 🎤 Guest Speaker: David Ossian • M4L National Committee Chair • Learn More 🏨 Convention Hotel • Comfort Inn & Suites, Glendale, AZ • $140/night incl. full breakfast • Reserve by May 15 • Group: Marine Corps League
MCL AZ Seal
Marine Corps League Department of Arizona
Programs & Resources

Honor Guard & Ceremonies

Department of Arizona

Honor Guard & Ceremonies

The MCL Department of Arizona Honor Guard proudly represents the Marine Corps League at ceremonies and events throughout the state, honoring those who served and preserving the traditions of the United States Marine Corps.

⚔️
Military Funeral Honors
Rifle detail, flag folding, and ceremonial support for the funerals and memorial services of our fallen Marines and veterans.
🇺🇸
Color Guard & Flag Ceremonies
Posting and retiring of the colors at civic events, sporting events, public gatherings, and official MCL functions.
🕯️
POW/MIA Observances
Empty Chair, Hat Table, and Missing Man ceremonies honoring those who never came home.
🎓
JROTC Support
Partnering with JROTC programs across Arizona to mentor cadets, support drill competitions, and pass on the traditions of military ceremony.
🏛️
Public & Civic Events
Representing the Marine Corps League at patriotic observances, Veterans Day and Memorial Day events, and community ceremonies statewide.
Department Honor Guard Commander
Ernest Sabori
To request Honor Guard services for a funeral, ceremony, or event, contact the Department Honor Guard Commander directly.
📞 (520) 244-7225 ✉️ ecsabori@gmail.com

Honor Guard Documents & Resources

Reference guides, policies, and ceremony scripts for MCL honor guard details and official Marine Corps ceremonies. All documents open in a new tab.

🥊 Honor Guard 1 document
📄
MCL Honor Guard Policies & Procedures
Official policies and procedures governing the Marine Corps League Honor Guard detail
🇺🇸 MCL Policy
🎌 Ceremony Scripts & Guides 4 documents
🏴
Flag Folding Ceremony
Script and guide for the official 13-fold flag folding ceremony
🎌 Ceremony
📄
Missing Man Ceremony
Script and formation guide for the Missing Man flyover or table ceremony
🎌 Ceremony
📄
POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony
Full script for the POW/MIA Empty Chair observance
🎌 Ceremony
📄
POW/MIA Hat Table Ceremony
Script and setup guide for the POW/MIA Hat Table observance
🎌 Ceremony
📚 MCO 5060.20 — Customs, Courtesies & Ceremonies 4 documents
📄
Funerals & Memorial Services
MCO 5060.20 guidance on military funeral honors and memorial service procedures
MCO 5060.20
🎂
Marine Corps Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony
MCO 5060.20 script and protocol for the traditional Birthday Ball cake cutting ceremony
MCO 5060.20
🍽
Mess Night
MCO 5060.20 procedures and protocol for conducting a formal Marine Corps Mess Night
MCO 5060.20
📚
History, Customs & Courtesies of the Mess Night
MCO 5060.20 historical background and traditional customs of the Marine Corps Mess Night
MCO 5060.20
🔫 Ceremonial Rifles & Blank Ammunition

The Department operates Army-issued M1 Garand ceremonial rifles (equipped with blank firing adapters), provided through the U.S. Army Donations Program Office (ADPO). The following information is for Commandants and Honor Guard commanders managing rifle inventory and ammunition requests.

Requesting New / Replacement Rifles
To receive new or replacement ceremonial rifles, your detachment must first obtain an endorsement from MCL National Headquarters — valid for one year. Once received, submit the following completed forms to the ADPO:
  • VSO & Law Enforcement Rifle Qualification Checklist
  • Certificate of Arms Storage
  • Certificate of Compliance with Title 10 USC 7683
  • Privacy Act Notice
MCL National Headquarters
3619 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Stafford, VA 22554
info@MCLeague.org  ·  (703) 207-9588
Annual & Triennial Certification
The ADPO requires an annual certification for static display equipment and a triennial (every 3 years) rifle inventory for ceremonial rifles. These requirements are now handled digitally — no mailing required.
Army Donations Program Office (ADPO)
usarmy.detroit.tacom.mbx.ilsc-donations@army.mil
(586) 282-9861  ·  tacom.army.mil/ilsc/donations
Blank Ammunition Requests
As of May 12, 2022, all blank ammunition requests are handled by US Army Joint Munitions Command (Rock Island) — not the ADPO. Your detachment must possess ADPO-issued ceremonial rifles to qualify. Contact Rock Island directly to submit a new request or follow up on a pending one.
US Army Joint Munitions Command — Rock Island
usarmy.ria.jmc.mbx.carg@army.mil
(309) 912-3815  ·  Mon–Fri, 0600–1530