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Honor Guard embodies Air Force image

By Senior Airman Nick Wilson, 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs / Published February 23, 2012

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WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- When it comes to ceremonies and funerals, the 509th Bomb Wing Honor Guard's mission is to be ready, sharp and respond to requests with the utmost amount of poise, attention to detail and professionalism.

With a team of 44 Airmen ranking from airman basic to technical sergeant, the 509th Honor Guard represents the military in 118 counties.

Their primary duties include honoring veterans at funerals, said Tech. Sgt. Trapper Otto, 509th Honor Guard NCO in charge.

"Last year we participated in 700 funerals," Otto said. "That includes funerals for active duty service members, retirees and veterans."

It's honorable and uplifting to be the last individuals in the Air Force the family members see during funerals, said Airman 1st Class Hope Pacheco, 509th BW Honor Guard member.

"You feel like you're doing something and impacting other people," Pacheco said. "Honor Guard is something meaningful. What we do is very important. The impact we have on people is incredible."

While representing the Air Force, guardsmen must pay attention to detail when it comes to ensuring their uniforms are worn correctly.

"It's definitely a lot of conditioning and making sure you are really on point with everything that goes on," said Senior Airman Maichelle Ring, 509th BW Honor Guard member. "You have to ensure you're stepping the right way, and you're uniform is straight. Even the slightest half of an inch that's wrong on your uniform makes a difference because attention to detail is something very meaningful at the honor guard."

Several 509th BW Honor Guard members say it is not an easy job.

"People think it easy, but I honestly work more at honor guard than I do at my regular job," Ring said. "It's something everyone should be able to look at and say, 'honor guard is awesome.'"