Submitted by: Eric Stadler

Category: Visual

The Scarlet Guard American Legion color guard is a showcase color guard unit that represents the American Legion Family of organizations, including The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Sons of The American Legion (SAL). The Scarlet Guard's roster includes members of these organizations from throughout northeast Wisconsin. The Scarlet Guard was formed in 1983 by a group of passionate members of American Legion Post 38 in Appleton, Wis. The first public appearance was in the Appleton Flag Day Parade in 1984. That parade has been referred to as being the oldest, largest and best Flag Day parade in the nation. Over the past 40 years the Scarlet Guard has participated in 12 Department of Wisconsin American Legion color guard competitions and won in 10 consecutive years. The color guard also participated in four national American Legion color guard competitions (in Louisville, Ky.; Chicago; Baltimore; and Cleveland) and placed in the top 10 at each. Since its start in 1983 the Scarlet Guard has marched in hundreds of parades throughout Wisconsin, the United States and Canada. In 2022, the Scarlet Guard was promoted to the annual lead color guard for the Wisconsin Veterans Day Parade in Milwaukee, organized by the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce. Other roles of the Scarlet Guard include presenting, posting and/or retrieving the colors for high school, semi-pro and professional sporting events, various meetings, conventions/conferences, municipal events and more. In past years the Scarlet Guard presented countless flag-etiquette programs for various youth organizations and schools. The Scarlet Guard is devoted to being a positive representation of the American Legion Family of organizations. Follow the "Scarlet Guard Color Guard" on Facebook for more information.

About the author:

Eric Stadler, chairperson, Scarlet Guard American Legion Color Guard