|
Most people can't imagine having to present a folded American
flag to a grieving family member as a symbol of appreciation on
behalf of the president of the United States, the U.S. Air Force and
a grateful nation when a service member or veteran passes.
Few Airmen will ever experience consoling a next of kin; thanking
them for their loved one's honorable and faithful service, and of
those, even fewer stand out above the rest as truly exceptional.
Airman 1st Class Taylor Brown, 741st Maintenance Squadron power
refrigeration and electrical lab technician and prior member of the
Malmstrom Air Force Base Honor Guard, earned the Base Honor Guard
member award for the 2016 third quarter.
|
November 4, 2016 - Airman 1st Class Taylor Brown, 741st Maintenance
Squadron power refrigeration and electrical lab technician and prior
member of the Malmstrom Honor Guard, practices presenting the Air
Force flag during a color team at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.
Brown recently received the honor guard member award for the third
quarter for going above and beyond his peers by always being
positive and having completed 44 honor guard details. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Magen M. Reeves)
|
“Brown is an all-around Airman,” said Tech. Sgt.
Christopher Cenatiempo, Malmstrom Honor Guard NCO in charge.
“He understands and exemplifies the total Airman concept. He
is very upbeat, positive, fun and outgoing.”
Originally from El Paso, Texas, Brown was selected by his
leadership to fulfill the commitment to the base's honor
guard May 2016 rotation.
Those selected for the task
are handpicked to serve because their standards of conduct
and level of professionalism are higher than their peers.
These Airmen, who wear the ceremonial guardsman uniform,
represent every member of the U.S. Air Force, both past and
present.
“My advice to anyone in my position is to
keep an open mind and be positive,” said Brown.
During Brown's four-month commitment, he maintained a
professional and helpful attitude.
“He always took
the initiative to help out,” said Cenatiempo. “He performed
in as many ceremonies and details as he could and never
complained. He went above and beyond.”
Cenatiempo
also said Brown exceeded standards by always wearing his
ceremonial uniform properly and proudly.
The honor
guard service uniform is different than traditional service
dress. Special badges, patches, cords and stripes are worn
to distinguish honor guard members from other Airmen. The
uniforms must always be perfectly pressed, cleaned, and
assembled because when worn, all eyes are focused on that
Airman.
According to the base honor guard code of
conduct, Airmen must never allow their performance to be
affected by the type of ceremony, temperature or size of the
crowd.
To be considered for Base Honor Guard member
of the quarter, an individual must complete a minimum of 24
details.
Brown completed 44 details, not including
two active-duty funerals he supported after his contract
expired. Out of his ten-member rotation, he completed the
most details.
“Even after he hit the minimum of 24
details he continued to support and perform details, no
questions asked,” said Cenatiempo.
Brown upheld the
honor guard charge by perfectly executing all movements
throughout every detail and ceremony.
He participated
in flag color teams both as a rifleman and as a flag bearer,
veteran funerals as a flag folder and presenter, and two
active duty funerals; one as a casket pallbearer and one as
a member for a three volley firing party.
“I loved
doing it,” said Brown. “I played my role in upholding the
Air Force tradition of having an honor guard team perform
military funerals.”
The mission is to render military
honors for those who earned the right for Airmen to wear the
uniform.
“It's important that we as an Air Force
continue to build on that tradition and support our service
members and veterans,” said Brown. “I wouldn't trade the
experience I had for anything.”
Brown, however,
remains modest and said he appreciates the opportunity he
was given to honor those who paved the way for him and his
fellow Airmen. Brown was constantly driven to excel by a
devotion to duty and a sense of dedication.
“There is
something truly inspirational about laying to rest a service
member,” said Brown. “There is no other experience like
giving a flag to a family member. Honor guard isn't about
you. It's about honoring the heroes who served before you.
You have to put that first.”
By U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Magen M. Reeves
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
Comment on this article |
