Joint Base Lewis-McChord Honor Guard honors newest graduates

Published Aug. 31, 2010
By Airman Leah Young
62 Airlift Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- "With a strong sense of dedication, we will precisely execute military honors for active duty, retirees and veterans. Precisions inspired by accuracy... to honor with dignity!" For 24 newly graduated Honor Guard Airmen, this motto has become their way of life.

The graduates, assigned to the 62nd Airlift Wing, completed the Honor Guard training program and demonstrated their newly acquired skills Aug. 30 during a graduation ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"This is the first Honor Guard graduation ceremony on McChord Field that the included demonstrations," said Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Moore, 62nd Airlift Wing Honor Guard non commissioned officer in charge. "Hopefully it will become the new standard, and we can do this for every graduation."

Airmen assigned to the Honor Guard team go through a 10 day training program which qualifies them to perform Honor Guard details at events such as full honor funerals, Veterans Day parades and color guard activities.

During their training, Airmen learn how to properly execute Honor Guard details to include body bearing, presentation of the colors and firing squad.

"Because this is such a detail oriented job, we have to ensure that everyone learns each duty well enough to perform it perfectly," said Sergeant Moore. "We rotate the teams a lot throughout the training to guarantee that each member can properly perform all the details."

The Honor Guard team requires a certain number of Airmen from each squadron to fulfill its quota. At any given time, there are 72 members, broken up into three teams of 24. The teams operate on a rotating status cycle: one month active, one month stand-by and one month off.

The 62nd AW Honor Guard is currently rated the 11th highest tasked unit out of the 87 base honor guard teams Air Force wide.

"It's a great change of pace," said Staff Sgt. James Prentice, 62nd Logistics Readiness Squadron fuel management craftsman. "It's also very fulfilling to know that I'm doing something so significant and meaningful."

During the 2009 fiscal year, the 62nd AW Honor Guard team completed burial honors for 203 retirees, four active duty, 417 veterans and performed at 110 color guard events.
According to Sergeant Moore, a busy schedule is great for an Honor Guard team.

"The more ceremonies we perform, the better," said Sergeant Moore. "When an Airman comes back from their first funeral, you can tell that they've been changed and they understand how important this is."

Not only can the Airmen relate to the gravity of an Honor Guard ceremony as a fellow servicemember, but some have family ties which make them more dedicated and passionate about giving the proper and justified respects.

"My grandfather was in the military, and every time we do a ceremony, I think of him," said Airman 1st Class Jesselee Kahaloa, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron integrated avionics specialist. "I like performing the presentation of the flag because I feel like it gives the most honor and respect to the fallen."

To be an active member of the 62nd AW Honor Guard, Airmen must clear it through their supervision, and who then proceeds to contact the first sergeant. The next cycle of Honor Guard training begins the first week of December.

Airmen with a strong sense of dedication are encouraged to join the 62nd AW Honor Guard team. The future of the team depends on the highest caliber Airmen, who will continue to perform with precision and strong discipline at military honor ceremonies throughout the surrounding area.