Honoring fallen heroes full-time job

  • Published
  • By Jake Shaw
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  Click, click, click. People can hear the crisp, unmistakable sound of heels tapping together simultaneously.

With precision movements, Homestead Air Reserve Base Honor Guard Airmen march in unison to take their spot in the funeral procession. They are dressed in pristine Air Force dress uniforms and spit-shined shoes people can see their reflection in.

For most Americans, Memorial Day is a day filled with parades and ceremonies and a day when many Americans pause to honor military veterans. But for honor guard Airmen, every day is Memorial Day.

An Air Force bugler stands 50 paces from a flag-draped casket. Two Airmen stand perfectly still at opposite ends of the fallen hero in a display of honor.

As the funeral director finishes reading the eulogy, the bugler plays “Taps” to signal the end of the duty day for the resting veteran. The first note of “Taps” is the cue for the two Airmen flanking the casket to slowly raise their right hand until they touch the bill of their hats in a final salute to the veteran.

After the bugler plays the last note, the Airmen begin the ceremonial flag folding. An Airman kneels in front of the veteran’s next of kin, presents the American flag, and remarks, “On behalf of the president of the United States and a grateful nation, our country’s flag is presented as a token of appreciation for many years of faithful and honorable service.”

“The ceremony is enough to draw tears from even the most strong-willed spectator,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Ayers of the 482nd Fighter Wing’s honor guard.

Like all Air Force honor guards, the honor guard here covers a large geographical area. Honor guard Airmen work most weekends, drive hours through road raging traffic and stand perfectly still without flinching for hours during ceremonies.

“The sacrifices of the honor guard are nothing compared to the sacrifices made by those we pay tribute to,” said Staff Sgt. Luis Pacheco, a two-year veteran of the honor guard here.

“We get to meet heroes every day,” said Tech. Sgt. Francisco Navarro, also of the honor guard.

Besides providing solemn military funeral honors, honor guard units represent the Air Force at community events. The eight-person unit from here marched in 13 parades, presented the colors during the national anthem 15 times at large public events, and honored 172 veterans at military funerals in 2004.

“We are sometimes called ambassadors in blue,” Sergeant Navarro said.

Military funeral services are a time-honored custom that predates the Air Force. In January 2000 they became a mandated function. With the passing of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2000, the military was required to provide at least basic funeral honors for all eligible veterans. The law ensures all eligible veterans receive a proper farewell from their country.

With the number of ceremonies honor guards perform each year, common sense would lead one to believe the Airmen become immune to the emotions of a funeral.

Staff Sgt. Natasha Jamass, of the honor guard, said she does not feel that way.

“We do this every day, but no matter how many funerals we attend, it’s impossible to escape from the emotions involved,” she said.

That is because the military is one big family, Sergeant Ayers said.

“When we attend a funeral, we’re saying farewell to one of our own family members with a professional ceremony,” he said. “Providing a final tribute and giving military families a sense of closure is not just a job -- it’s an honor.”

For the Air Force honor guards, Memorial Day is not a holiday -- it is every day.