Instagram/@blakeshelton
The Blake Shelton, who is the biggest star in country music, is going to carry out a very personal deed this Christmas season. The area he is making an effort in is the military funeral honor guards—they are the volunteers who get to do the last rites for the deceased veterans. The artist has chosen to make a video message, and he has shared the memory of being a child during the time of his father who was in the army and he is asking for donations for Operation Honor Guard, which is the nonprofit entity that takes care of providing support to these volunteers.
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Aside from the ‘God’s Country’ singer who is quietly doing nothing of the sort, he is also transferring the history of his family. At the video, he reveals that his father was stationed in an honor guard during the Korean War, and he was very happy to have been able to give the last honors to soldiers. The circle was closed when after the father died, an honor guard came to perform the service by folding the flag and playing Taps at the funeral. “It was very moving, and I will always remember it,” said Shelton, whose voice sounded very honest. He is now determined to make sure that other families will receive the same special tribute, due to the fact that there are honor guard units throughout the United States that are frequently deprived of funds for the most basic needs such as uniforms, equipment, and training.
Shelton’s cry for action was responded to immediately and exuberantly with a support filled up with personal stories that were very much like his. Many donors mentioned their connection with military funeral rites. One user commented, “They did that for my dad too,” while another user responded, “It’s true they came to my dad’s funeral and stepfather’s it was a beautiful tribute.” These brief statements indicated the immense impact that these services have on mourning families.
Other reactions highlighted the greater importance of the cause. One commenter pointed out the indispensable role of the VFW and Operation Honor Guard organizations and expressed, “I think it’s a shame that our military is not able to honor every veteran in this manner, so may God bless the organizations that fill the voids!!” This sentiment points to a realistic scenario that the nation promise is being kept with the presence of these volunteer groups. Another person spoke on the generational shift in officiating funerals when he remarked, “I know men that have done it and some are no longer with us. I just hope that the future generations will continue doing it.”
Operation Honor Guard, the organization that Shelton mentioned in his post, showed appreciation to him. “Thank you @blakeshelton for putting our mission at the forefront and narrating the tale of your dad and his service in the honor guard!” the organization stated, emphasizing the fact that a celebrity endorsement can significantly increase awareness.
Supporting comments were made; however, they polarized some comments that were political though it was nothing rare as the post was of high-profile character. A user tried to redirect the subject to reproductive rights, while another user commented on Shelton’s political influence over his wife Gwen Stefani, which he dubbed as him being a “true Patriot.” Yet, Shelton’s message was nevertheless clear and unambiguous: it was about service and remembrance, not political discussions.
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Moreover, the advocacy of Blake Shelton is nothing other than the son who is remembering his father in the most literal way possible. The artist is backing Operation Honor Guard with his incredible power and, thus, taking part in the hallowed ground of the American soldiers’ death ritual. His point is very straightforward: love and duty are what motivate these volunteers to dedicate their time to this cause, and they deserve public support to carry out their mission. For Shelton it is not merely giving; it is also keeping the last salute in people’s hearts for future generations, just as it was the case in his family. His commitment to performance also includes his Las Vegas bar and his upcoming Las Vegas residency.
