Honor Guard Soldier Strives to Leave Lasting Impression
(October 20, 2008) |
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ALEXANDRIA, La., Oct. 16, 2008
His look is piercing. His movements are sharp.
His skills are among the best. He wears a patch
on his left shoulder that identifies him as the
first National Guard soldier in the state of
Louisiana certified to train others to meet the
high standards embodied by a member of the
Military Funeral Honors Program.
“It's important that we
look our absolute best,” said Sgt. Michael A.
Huff (photo right), the first Louisiana
Guardsman to complete the Army's honor guard
course. “For some people, you are the first
military impression, ... and for some you are the
last.”
The Shreveport, La., native graduated from the
Honor Guard Train the Trainer Course at Camp
Robinson, Ark., where his instructors were
members of “The Old Guard,” the famed 3rd U.S.
Infantry Regiment, based at Fort Myer, Va.
Trained by the best, Huff is now a team leader
for the Shreveport area Military Funeral Honors
Program. With its demand for excellence and
precision, the program represents the epitome of
perfection as soldiers exemplify Army traditions
and standards. |
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“The course was both physically and
mentally demanding, but the honor guard is what a soldier
should be, and our deceased veterans have earned the right
for us to be at our best,” Huff said. “It's my job to make
sure they get the respect they deserve.”
Huff now trains the honor guard teams around the state. “It
is a challenge to take soldiers who have never done this and
get them ready to look their best for a funeral or
ceremony,” he said.
Though the team is made up of volunteers, only those who are
highly motivated and maintain exceptionally high standards
of appearance and conduct are considered to be a member of
the honor guard, Huff said.
Huff, who is also a mortar platoon squad leader for B Troop,
2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, said he was looking
for a full-time job when his readiness noncommissioned
officer presented the honor guard idea to him.
The Military Honors program through the Louisiana Army
National Guard started in December, with Command Sgt. Maj.
Steven R. Stuckey as the state coordinator.
Huff explained that prior to a funeral, he must mentally
prepare and focus on the mission at hand. “I am going over
everything in my mind,” he said. “I am going over movements
and making sure that I am ready to represent and show that
soldier and his family the respect they deserve.”
The duty can challenge soldiers' emotions, Huff said. “The
hardest part of this job is knowing that when you go to a
funeral, people are going to be upset and they are going to
cry,” he said. “But we must remain professional at all
times. I have lost friends in combat and understand how
difficult death is to a family, but if I don't find a way to
focus and detach, I can't give them the funeral that they
deserve. ... I can't afford to get emotional then.”
Huff said that he tries to incorporate the importance of
professionalism into the honor guard soldiers he trains. “It
can be hard, ... especially when it's someone we know, but we
have to be in that focused mental mind frame before any
funeral.”
Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth R. Wagner, senior enlisted
advisor for the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said he
is impressed with the state's program. “I've been to five
funerals since Command Sergeant Major Stuckey started this
program,” he said. “On short notice, the honor guards have
come together and formed a good team. Their execution is
extremely well done and very professional.”
Stuckey agreed.
“I am proud of my team and what they represent,” he said.
“Most people do not understand what they give up. These guys
have to be ready at any time. Some of them have families at
home and have civilian jobs, but at a moment's notice, with
their uniforms maintained to perfection, they are ready to
drop their plans and give our veterans the respectful
funeral they deserve.”
Stuckey said that most families of veterans do not know that
the benefit of a military funeral is available to all
veterans. Family members should request a military funeral
through their funeral home director.
“It's a benefit that everyone who has served in the military
is entitled to, whether they were honorably discharged or
retired. It's an honor for us to be able to give them
respect as a comrade, and we want the opportunity to do it,”
Huff said. The four Louisiana National Guard honor guard
teams have conducted about 225 funerals in eight regions of
the state.
Huff said that even though he originally joined the National
Guard to pay for school and earned an associates degree in
biology, he does not plan on getting out any time soon, and
that he plans on making a career as an honor guard soldier.
“I achieved my goal of earning that degree, and that is a
great feeling, but I am very proud of my service,” he said.
“I feel like I am supposed to be in the military, and I love
what I do.” | |
Article and
Photo by Army Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang
Special to American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2008
Army Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang serves with
the 199th Brigade Support Battalion.
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