To honor with dignity

  • Published
  • By Airman John Day
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  It matters not your branch of service. It matters not your rank. It matters not if you serve two, six, 10 or 20 years. All service members deserve the same promise from the Honor Guard: To Honor with Dignity.

While the Columbus Air Force Base Honor Guard's primary mission is to perform military funerals, being a Guardsman means much more than that. It gives Airmen the opportunity to lead and to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

"Honor Guard gives me a special feeling," said Senior Airman Ronnie Smith, 14th Operation Support Squadron Honor Guardsman. "Every time I do a detail and present our nation's flag to a family, I get a feeling like no other. Giving a fallen brother or sister a proper ceremony for their service really makes you feel like you have done something important. I love being a member of the Honor Guard."

Airmen who volunteer for this additional duty answer the call to represent the military. They represent commanders and show a reflection of their base and the image of the Air Force to the citizens of our nation.

"The most important thing about Honor Guard is the job itself," said Tech. Sgt. Charleston Calhoun, 14th Security Forces Squadron and Honor Guard NCO in charge. "We serve those who served before us. If it wasn't for them, there would be no us."

The third paragraph of the Honor Guard Creed states, Guardsmen will never allow their performance to be dictated by the type of ceremony, severity of the temperature or the size of the crowd.

"It is a part of what has been instilled in us since day one: military bearing," Calhoun said. "I have watched our Guardsmen on a detail be assaulted by bees, scorching sun and cold winds and never flinch. The tenacity of our Guardsmen is what makes me proud to be a member of the Honor Guard."

Columbus AFB Honor Guard services include military funerals, parades, change-of-command ceremonies, banquets and much more. They cover an extensive area of responsibility spanning 40,000 square miles over 72 counties and three states. This workload shows the dedication of the Honor Guardsmen.

"It shows what kind of person you are and your character as an Airman," Calhoun said. "If you don't like camaraderie and traveling and performing a service for others, then this is not the job for you. If you like a close-knit family and a sense of brotherhood, then this is the place for you."

In the past, the Honor Guard system at Columbus AFB was much less organized. Over the last three months, it has moved to a month-long flight system where seven or more Airmen are released from their primary duties to participate in Honor Guard full-time for a month.

"The new system takes everyone's schedule into account," Calhoun said. "Guardsmen are assigned to honor guard as their primary duty for 30 days. This makes the entire process more fluid and helps the Guardsmen and the program as a whole succeed."

Those wishing to become a member of Honor Guard may contact Calhoun at 434-2316.