The idea of the Memorial Services Detachment came from a realization that there was a need for volunteers to fulfill the need of providing a complete detail for military honors.  A letter was drafted in 1988, requesting permission from the Atlanta, Georgia Area Cemetery Office asking permission to establish a volunteer rifle detachment, as well as the space needed for members and a storage area for weapons.  In 1989, coordination began with members of the Alamo Silver Wings to form an honor guard, and Major Bob Garcia was chosen to lead the charge, with support from the newly assigned Cemetery Director Mr. Don Fritz.  The concept was modeled after the volunteer honor guard detachment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery where Mr. Fritz had been previously assigned.  The process began with the formation of a charter and bylaws, laying the groundwork for obtaining weapons and moving forward.

By June 1990, a Charter was issued by the state of Texas recognizing the Fort Sam Houston Memorial Services Detachment as an organization.  The humble beginnings of the team included volunteers providing bedsheets to be used to clean weapons, personally purchased uniforms, and training-many of the volunteers had not marched since World War II or Korea!  Finally, the first military honors were performed on Tuesday, December 17th 1991.  Taps was played on a stereo boom box with a member holding a bugle to their lips, and members used personal vehicles to transport to the shelters.  The team included squad members using inhalers for breathing problems, and a member with prosthetic limbs from his service in the Korean War!