Honor Guard pays homage to those who served

  • Published
  • By GI Tuck
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing vice commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Last Friday, I had the privilege of addressing 14 graduates and newest members of our Travis Honor Guard. For the next sixty days, they will represent Travis and our U.S. Air Force at funerals and ceremonies throughout central California. Our Honor Guard Airmen project airpower in a very unique way, and I couldn't be more proud of that fact.

This wasn't the first time I've addressed our Honor Guard graduating class. In fact, I have been the officiator at each Travis Honor Guard graduation since I arrived last June and have had the privilege to graduate 87 honor guardsmen and women to date. My high esteem for this organization goes all the way back to my days as a second lieutenant stationed at McChord Air Force Base, Wash.

Like now, the Honor Guard was an additional duty, usually handled by lieutenants and younger Airmen. My introduction came after being notified I would be the presiding officer of a graveside service for one of our fallen veterans and consisted of two-hours of training on a bus ride to Willamette National Cemetery in Oregon. There is nothing more humbling than presenting our nation's Flag to a grieving widow "on behalf of a grateful nation."

Aside from the quick initiation into proper ceremony etiquette and paying final respects, I recall the gratitude expressed by the families of the Airmen we honored one last time. They never failed to thank us for representing our Air Force which had been a significant part of the departed's life, even sending thank you cards.

That image remains dear to me even now. And, yes, it is a big deal.

Today, our Honor Guard continues to perform funeral honors as well as retirements, change-of-command ceremonies, and flag presentations at many events. Instead of getting two hours of training, each graduate attends a five-day class, where they learn drill and ceremony movements and how to properly wear their ceremonial uniform. Like anything else, being successful in this role demands attention to detail. The smallest details make a huge difference and our Airmen who graduate continue to practice and hone their skills.

Our Travis Honor Guard covers a 45,000 square mile area, from Reno in the east, Clear Lake in the north, to Fresno in the south averaging 75 funerals a month. I suspect this year that number will surpass 1,000 as our veteran population ages.

However, it is not just our aging veterans. This past year, our Travis Honor Guard rendered honors and a "final salute" to eight fallen Airmen, Soldiers and Marines who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq. Now as a Colonel, escorting a mom and dad or spouse onto our flight line to welcome home a son or husband, I have a deeper respect for our Honor Guard as the healing process starts with them.

The Honor Guard pays homage to those who have given them the right to wear the ceremonial uniform properly and proudly. Their motto is: "To Honor with Dignity."

Our veteran Airmen and fallen warriors deserve no less. We're proud of what they do, and I look forward to having the honor and privilege of congratulating the next class of graduates who proudly represent Team Travis and our U.S. Air Force.