Delaware National
GuardPracticing dignity
By Senior Airman Jason Brooks, 166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
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Honor Guard members, Master Sgt. Paul Duca (left) and Senior Airman Jason Brooks (center) accept a certificate of appreciation, along with Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, Delaware National Guard, Adjutant General. The certificate was from the Delaware River and Bay Authority for services provided by the Base Honor Guard. |
The 166th Airlift Wing Base Honor Guard held its first ever full team practice on July 14. This was a great opportunity for the Base Honor Guard as practices for events are usually limited to a few members and are done just scant hours before a particular job or event is to take place.
The Delaware Air Guard’s Base Honor Guard supports approximately
100 requests each year. These requests include parades, opening
ceremonies, and rendering military funeral honors for deceased
veterans. Photo by Senior Airman Jason
Brooks, 166th Airlift Wing Public
Affairs.
"Attention
to detail is everything and opportunities to practice are important to
these team members," said Master Sgt. Dan Burroughs, Noncommissioned
Officer in Charge of the Base Honor Guard.
For jobs where a four-person color guard is marching in a parade or just presenting the Colors at a state event, you may think, "Well, what’s so hard about that?" Nothing when it comes down to the basics, but so much of the Honor Guard’s mission is to promote a dignified presence at these events, that much planning goes into even the smallest detail.
This is true for all ceremonies large or small. The importance of being exact down to the smallest detail is most evident when rendering final honors for a deceased member of the armed services.
"These jobs require much cooperation and experience to be performed in the manner that is befitting to the deceased and the family, as well as bringing credit to the Wing itself," says Burroughs. Add to this the amount of patriotism that currently surges through the American public’s veins, and the result is an almost overwhelming number of jobs for the dedicated honor guard team.
That being said, it is crucial that basics are just that. Basic to the point that every member of the team can fill in for any other member for a wide variety of jobs within the group. And for this reason the Honor Guard is happy to be able to hold a small formal practice for those members who can attend, every unit training assembly.
Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, Delaware Nation al Guard Adjutant General, was on hand at the beginning of the practice to commend the Base Honor Guard and to present the team with a plaque that had been given by the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
Attention was then turned to Senior Airman Fred Abel, IV as he was
awarded his Base Honor Guard Badge. Local minimum requirements for wear of
the Base Honor Guard Badge are nine months Honor Guard membership and the
performance of at least four ceremonies.
After the initial happenings
took place, it was down to business. Master Sgt. Burroughs gave the
members in attendance instructions on the care and wear of the Honor Guard
uniform. After that, the team practiced proper body bearer procedures and
flag folding with a practice casket and flag.
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Master Sgt. Dan Burroughs, Non Commissioned Officer in charge of the Base Honor Guard, shows his Service Dress uniform. Photo by Senior Airman Jason Brooks, 166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs. |
Several improvements are just around the corner for the team. First, a new facility has been provided for the Honor Guard next to the new Base Exchange. This facility will serve as an equipment and staging area for the team.
Second, the team recently received shipment of 10 new M-14 Rifles to replace the M-1 and M-16 Rifles. However, a delay of approximately two years is expected for ammunition.
Lastly, next year several members of the team will attend a two-week in-residence Base Honor Guard training course at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington D.C. Bolling is the home of the USAF Honor Guard. The USAF Honor Guard is responsible for all Air Force Presidential Details, Air Force military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, and special performances around the world. They are the best of the best. Their course is designed to teach the basics to Active Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard Base Honor Guard members.
All of these changes and opportunities will keep your Base Honor Guard looking sharp, and projecting a dignified presence for you, the Wing, the Delaware National Guard and the Air Force to be proud of for years to come.
If you are interested in becoming a member of this specialized team,
contact MSgt Dan Burroughs at (302) 323-3469.