(L-R) Thompson with the Oregon flag at the Washington Monument, Guard of Honor, NATO’s 75th anniversary

Submitted photos

Adam Thompson, of Diamond, Ore., crossed off one of his ‘Bucket List’ items a couple of weeks ago. He served on the Guard of Honor duty for a US Presidential funeral, that of former President Jimmy Carter, as a US Coast Guard Honor Guard member. Thompson joined the USCG in September 2022, after graduating from Crane Union High School that May. During Basic Training in Cape May, N.J., he was interviewed and asked to consider putting the Honor Guard as his first choice for duty. He did not know what that entailed, just that he would be stationed in Alexandria, Va.

Little did he know the experiences in which he would participate.

The Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard serves as the Coast Guard’s center of excellence for military protocol and ceremonial execution, providing Presidential support duty to the Military District of Washington, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and all fallen Coast Guard men and women. The unit is on call year-round to perform funerals and ceremonies at both Arlington National Cemetery and abroad. Composed of roughly 65 members, the Coast Guard Honor Guard performs an average of 20 ceremonies a week. Criteria includes minimum height: 6 feet for males, security clearance for White House jobs, physical stamina for standing or marching, and no visible tattoos and markings.

Adam arrived at the USCS Honor Guard base early in November 2022. He had 12 weeks of training to qualify for the Honor Guard. This included standing at attention for 30 minutes, then 45 minutes, and finally, 90 minutes. Thompson said that they were frustrated with him because they couldn’t get him to fail with a smile or reaction. “They didn’t know my mom”, he says of his concentration. He had to learn Honor Guard protocols. Uniform preparation, ceremonial marching, and rifle manual of arms was also required; he learned how to burn off ‘fabric pills’ from his uniform, and how to place his ribbon exactly 1⁄4” above the jacket pocket.

In February 2023, Thompson performed his “going up” ceremony, demonstrating poise in front of his peers, pride in uniform appearance, perfection in ceremonial drill, and basic knowledge of Honor Guard job sequences. He earned his USCG Honor Guard badge and rope and was qualified for Arlington Memorial Cemetery rifle squad at USCG burials. The Firing Party consists of seven members who render honors through the traditional ceremonial three volleys. Shortly thereafter, former President Carter entered hospice, and all Presidential Honor Guards were on alert for possible duty.

Over the past 23 months, Thompson kept busy with other USCG Honor Guard duties. He traveled to Florida, Texas, California and Oregon for funerals. He attended the Coast Guard celebration in Grand Haven, Mich. He participated in parades in Washington, D.C. Adam carried the West Virginia flag as part of the televised PBS 4th of July celebration. Thompson has also earned a badge for additional volunteer USCG activities.

Many of Honor Guardsman Thompson’s assignments have been at the White House and at the Pentagon. He has been at the White House on duty about once a month, training and active in Rose Garden presentations, holding a state flag for Presidential speeches, or as Honor Guard for state visits from other world leaders. When visiting dignitaries laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Adam served in the USCG Honor Guard contingent during such ceremonies.

In March 2024, Adam learned that the USCG Honor Guard Silent Drill team was scheduled to travel to Prague, Republic of Czechoslovakia, in June, to take part in an international military drill team festival. He set his mind to make the drill team and qualified for that activity in May. The distinction that the USCG drill team has is that they perform their drills in silence, not to music. They are introduced, then follow a memorized program of marching, rifle spinning, etc., for 10-15 minutes, with no verbal instruction. He went to Prague and said that the viewers were quite impressed with the USCG presentations. “Prague was beautiful,” was his comment to his parents. “And the Polish drill team members were the friendliest, always inviting us to join them at the pubs.” While on the current drill team Thompson has performed at New York City high schools, at the World Trade Center memorial, and during half-time of a Boston Celtics-Brooklyn Nets NBA game.

Perhaps his biggest honor before the Presidential state funeral came in July 2024, when NATO celebrated its 75th Anniversary. The USCG Honor Guard, along with other military branches, served as welcoming committee. He seated honored dignitaries according to assigned arrangements. He had a translation app to help with communicating with attendees.

On Dec. 29, 2024, Thompson texted his parents asking if they knew that President Jimmy Carter had passed away. He was on Guard of Honor duty schedule, he said. Jan. 2, Honor Guardsman Thompson flew on a C-17 to Georgia and went to the Carter Center in Atlanta. At 6:45 p.m., EST, Thompson stepped into his first rotation of duty at the casket of former President James Earl Carter, Jr. During this first 1⁄2 hour, he earned an even higher honor as he helped move the casket from the memorial service viewing to the public viewing room.

For the next three days, Thompson rotated for 30 minutes, off 1 1⁄2 hours. The last night in Georgia, he was on 30 minutes, off 30 minutes, due to short-handedness. His Guard of Honor duty ended on Tuesday morning. Adam returned to D.C., arriving about 10 p.m. His Presidential funeral assignment was over.

Over those 72 hours, his parents watched the live TV feeds, getting to see Adam marching in for duty and then rotating out. Thompson’s photo, taken while on duty, was seen on many news outlets, including CNN, Atlanta 11 Live, PBS, and FOX news. Friends and family contacted the Thompson family to let them know that Adam’s honor was seen.

Next on his list, Honor Guard duty during inauguration events for President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20.

Adam is the son of David and Ramonda Thompson, of Diamond. He grew up on the Thompson Ranch at Swamp Creek. He attended Diamond Elementary School from K-8 grade.