Honoring those who served: events & news

Discover the heart of our mission through our events and stay informed with the latest news from the Joint Veterans Honors Command. We invite you to join us in honoring veterans and supporting their families.

Our events: a tribute to service

At the Joint Veterans Honors Command, our events are central to our commitment to veterans. Our primary mission revolves around funeral and memorial ceremonies, providing full honors, dignified flag folding, rifle salutes, and Taps at gravesides across California. These solemn tributes ensure that every honorably discharged veteran receives the respect they earned.

Beyond funerals, we conduct public demonstrations, including open flag folding ceremonies where communities can witness and learn the profound symbolism behind each fold. We also demonstrate military funeral protocols at schools and civic meetings to foster understanding and respect for veteran traditions.

Our community outreach efforts involve partnering with local veteran organizations, participating in resource fairs, and assisting families with burial benefits paperwork at no cost. Additionally, we host seasonal observances such as Veterans Day parades, Memorial Day remembrances, and Gold Star Family ceremonies, ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten. Each event shares one singular goal: to ensure veterans are honored and their families feel supported.

Who our events serve

Our main audience for all events and news includes veterans and their families, as they are the heart of everything we do. Every event is designed first and foremost to serve those who served our nation and the loved ones who stand beside them.

We also actively reach out to volunteers, especially community members who wish to learn ceremonial honors, regardless of military background. Donors and potential supporters are another key audience, as their generosity fuels our mission to provide these vital services. Local funeral homes, veteran service organizations, and community leaders also receive our updates, enabling them to refer families to us when needed.

Finally, the general public, including students, neighbors, and patriots of all ages, are always welcome at our public ceremonies. We believe honoring veterans should never happen behind closed doors. When young people witness a flag folding or hear Taps, they carry that respect forward, ensuring a lasting legacy of honor for our veterans.

Urgent updates & how you can help

We have important news to share:

  1. Volunteers needed: We are actively seeking volunteers. You do not need military experience; just a willing heart and a few hours a month. We will train you in flag folding, rifle salute protocols, or administrative support. Join us and become part of something sacred. Visit our Volunteer Opportunities page to learn more.
  2. 2026 event calendar is live: We have casket cover and flag folding ceremonies scheduled for March 15 in Fresno, followed by a full funeral service on March 16. Community members are welcome to attend, observe, and pay respects. Check our calendar for more upcoming events.
  3. Donation-funded mission: We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entirely donation-funded. Every dollar goes directly to honoring veterans. Even a small monthly gift helps us say "yes" to every family who calls. Please consider visiting our How to Help page to make a contribution.

Most urgently: If you know a veteran who has passed or a family planning services, please contact us immediately. Do not wait. We are here, we are ready, and we will come.

Take action: join our mission

After learning about our events and news, we hope you will take one simple action: reach out to us. Sign up for an upcoming event, whether to attend as a guest, volunteer as a helper, or simply observe and learn. Witnessing a flag folding or hearing Taps in person changes people forever.

If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation. Even five dollars helps us purchase ceremonial flags and fuel our vehicles to reach families in need. If you cannot donate, please share our news. Post about us on social media, tell a veteran family member, or email your local funeral home. Word of mouth saves families from grieving alone. If you feel called, join our volunteer team; we will train you, no military background required.

Whatever you do, do not just read and walk away. Every moment we wait, a veteran somewhere is laid to rest without honors. Be the reason that changes.