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MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. - Respect. Honor. Service. These
words are sacred to the 184th Intelligence Wing's Honor Guard. The
honor guard performs a variety of military honors and services for
currently serving or veteran military members, at official military
functions and funerals.
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Members from 184th Intelligence Wing Honor guard 2nd Lt. Aaron
Farris, Tech. Sgt. Maurice Ballance and Tech. Sgt. Ashley Fournier
rehearse rifle movements during an honor guard practice on June 9,
2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Lauren Penney)
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“It's tough, but it's so rewarding to know that we
provide the honors for these people,” said Tech. Sgt. Aaron
Rausch, 184th Honor Guard's noncommissioned officer in
charge. “You have your Vietnam veterans who never got their
welcome home. The World War II vets are also very touching.”
A full honors funeral consists of the colors flight,
firing party, pallbearers, an armed escort and the U.S. Air
Force Band. This service is for retired officers, retired
chief master sergeants, active duty repatriation, soldiers
killed in action, an individual chosen by act of Congress,
or a Medal of Honor recipient.
A retired military
member receives a standard funeral, containing the firing
party, pallbearers and a bugler. A veteran's funeral, for
all other military separations, consists of a flag-folding
and bugler.
Realizing the importance of the duties
and wanting to improve, the 184th IW Honor Guard began
working with their active-duty counterparts, the 22nd Air
Refueling Wing Honor Guard. This partnership resulted in a
combined funeral detail in September with two members of the
22nd ARW and five 184th IW members making up the team.
Funerals are an important duty the honor guard performs,
but they also serve the community in other ways as well.
Rausch and other team members find it rewarding to carry
the colors and participate in approved civilian and military
parades. “We're walking and you see the respect everyone
gives to the flag,” said Rausch. “They stand up and remove
their hats. It's amazing.”
The honor guard members
share their knowledge and respect for flag with the local
community as well. They spend time in community schools and
retirement homes in the area doing presentations on flag
etiquette and how to properly fold the flag.
“It's
great. Not only is it an honor, but the camaraderie is
really good, too. We have a good group of people. We're all
really close. We hang out, we make it fun,” said Rausch.
“It's very rewarding and just makes you feel good inside.”
For more information on becoming a member of the
184th IW Honor Guard contact Tech. Sgt. Aaron Rausch or
Master Sgt. Jerry Gardinier.
By USAF Airman Lauren Penney
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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