To honor with dignity

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- I've recently volunteered to join the Columbus AFB Honor Guard. On Friday, I was tasked with my first detail, a funeral in Corinth, Miss., for a retired colonel. This is a 10-person team that includes the Commander of Troops, Pall-Bearers, Firing Party and Bugler. I was tasked with the bugler duty. After the last shot of the 21-gun salute, I played Taps on the bugle. Within the first second of the first note, the hair on the back of my neck stood up, goose bumps took over my arms and pride filled my heart. If a member of the Air Force is looking for a rewarding experience and a way to give back to the Air Force for the many blessings we are given, I can't think of a better way to do that than providing the surviving family members of a military veteran, retiree, or active duty the ceremony that only the Honor Guard can provide. The base Honor Guard also provides other tributes such as the POW/MIA, and the presentation/posting of colors. All details pay respect to those who have paid the ultimate price for the freedoms and luxuries that we enjoy and sometimes take for granted. Our First Sergeants should not have to spend a great deal of time looking for volunteers and they really should not have to "voluntell" anyone, this should be the easiest extra duty to fill with members of the Air Force. The 30 minutes spent doing the funeral is nothing when you are thanked by the family and friends of the deceased. I can only hope that when it is my time to be honored, that there will be 10 men and women that are there because they volunteered for it rather than being "voluntold" to do it.