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Ambassadors in blue

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Don Branum
  • 50th Space Wing Public Affairs
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) --  Airman 1st Class Michael Zdenek is an ambassador. 

His job is not as high-profile as national ambassadors or United Nations representatives, but to the people he meets at wedding parties, retirement ceremonies and funerals, his job as a member of the High Frontier Honor Guard is just as important.
Three weeks each month, Airman Zdenek works in the 50th Civil Engineer Squadron. The fourth week belongs to the honor guard. It may involve trips ranging from Boulder, Colo., to Pueblo, Colo., to the other side of the Kansas state line.

Airman Zdenek, the son of a retired Navy officer, said he has always been interested in drill and ceremony. He performed in drill competitions as a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps student and joined the honor guard soon after his arrival here. 

“I had always wanted to do it and had heard about it before,” he said. “A couple of NCOs in my squadron recommended I look into joining the honor guard.”

That was eight months ago. Since then, Airman Zdenek has performed about 40 details for the High Frontier Honor Guard, including military wedding ceremonies, color guards and funerals. Most of his details have taken place during his on-call weeks, but he has also volunteered for details outside his duty week.

“We don’t like turning down (color guard details),” he said. “The honor guard asks for volunteers from the other weeks. We help one another out.” 

The honor guard has a congressional mandate to perform funeral services for Air Force veterans and retirees, which gives funerals precedence over any other ceremony that requests honor guard services.

At a funeral service held Veterans Day at a local cemetery, the honor guard left a lasting impression.

“From the looks of the people who are out here today and the way (the honor guard) wear the uniform, I can tell they’re proud to wear it,” said Chaplain Walter Bryant a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 26 . “It was a joy having you guys here.”

Airman Zdenek said he plans to continue his honor guard service after his year-long tour is up. As one of Schriever’s ambassadors in blue, he will continue to represent the Air Force to communities throughout Colorado.  

(Courtesy of Air Force Space Command News Service)