To honor with dignity

Published Dec. 21, 2006
By Staff Sgt. A. Paige Callahan
319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AFB, ND -- Their patches read "to honor with dignity." They are more than fixtures at commander's calls or retirement ceremonies. They are often the last memory family members have after laying their veteran loved one to rest.

"The first and foremost benefit of being a ceremonial guardsman is the service," Staff Sgt. Matthew Padgett, NCO in charge of the base honor guard program, said. "We have the congressionally mandated responsibility of rendering military funeral honors to those who have served before us, but it goes so much deeper than that; deeper than patriotism. What we do is honor the sacrifices of those who have served before us and provided us with the freedoms that we have today. It doesn't matter if we are standing motionless on the graveside of a 30-year retired chief or a four-year veteran. They have made sacrifices that are worthy of our remembrance."

Sergeant Padgett has been an honor guardsman for most of his 10 year career and has been NCOIC of the Grand Forks Air Force Base honor guard since April 1, 2004.
According to Sergeant Padgett, the Grand Forks AFB honor guard is responsible for the second largest area of responsibility in the Air Force, from the eastern quarter of North Dakota to the upper peninsula of Michigan.

Although the funerals keep honor guard members on the road, they also provide many services to the base and local area.

"We perform color guard for wing functions, such as all-calls, as well as color guard and flag folding ceremonies for retirements," added Sergeant Padgett. "The honor guard also offers ceremonial performances to regional recruiting offices, major sporting events and other various performances in support of military, patriotic and local government related functions."

"Doing ceremonies made me feel useful and not like a robot," said Senior Airman Keisha Clark, who recently volunteered for a second rotation in the honor guard. "In addition, being in the honor guard helped to put my military career in perspective, as well as give me a clearer view of what the military was about."

Honor guard members serve on an Air Expeditionary Force-type rotation. Volunteers serve four months actively, reporting for duty as honor guard members, four months on-call while remaining in their duty section and four months as inactive members.

"I volunteered to become more aware of the variety of services the Air Force provides, beyond just the mission," said Senior Airman Luisel Rolon, 319th Maintenance Squadron and a new member of the base honor guard. "I want to be more involved with the community, as well as pay respect to veterans and retirees."

Members who serve in the honor guard are also offered extensive awards and recognition programs, discounted dry cleaning, marked parking around base, are issued more than $800 in uniform items and are considered for the Air Force Achievement Medal.

"The fringe benefits are nice, but the true reward is doing the job," said Senior Airman Joshua Karn, 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and former honor guard member. "I'll always appreciate what the honor guard has taught me about service and character."

"You have sacrificed to voluntarily stand up and say, 'I will serve my country.' That alone is worthy of the remembrance," added Sergeant Padgett. "The basic sacrifices that come with that oath, as well as the sacrifices you have made through your deployments will be remembered and honored. When your time comes, the honor guard will be there, precise and silent, announcing to your family, friends and your country that we have not forgotten. The feeling of service and self accomplishment that comes with this duty can not be expressed in words."

GFAFB Honor Guard