Precision, professionalism, pride: Rendering military honors is honor guard’s duty Published Sept. 22, 2009 By Senior Airman Kimberly Moore 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Many military functions begin with the presentation of the colors but who are the men and women donning no name carrying out flags, rifles and traditions? They are members of Keesler's Honor Guard. "The Keesler Air Force Base Honor Guard is an elite team comprised of members from the 81st Training Wing and tenant units," said Master Sgt. Monita McCowan, noncommissioned officer in charge. "Our mission is to represent the nation, the Air Force, Keesler Air Force Base, and the local community when rendering Military Funeral Honors at funerals of active duty, retired and veteran members of the Armed Forces who served this nation honorably." As stated on the Air Force Honor Guard Web site, "Military funeral ceremonies are based on customs and traditions that developed through the years. Some elements of the funeral ceremony are based on old expedients used long ago on the battlefield. The ceremony demonstrates our nation's recognition of the debt it owes the services and sacrifices of members of the armed forces." "Though military funeral honors are our first priority," Sergeant McCowan explained, "we also receive special requests for both on-and off-base functions. These functions include visits from various dignitaries, changes of command, retirements and community events such as parades." Each base has an off-base area of responsibility that it covers. "Keesler's area of responsibility extends north to the Jackson, Miss., city limits, east to the Alabama state border, and west to the Texas state border. This area encompasses 67 counties and parishes and more than 69,000 square miles," Sergeant McCowan explained. Honors are paid throughout this AOR, so these functions can add up quickly. "Historically, we perform more than 700 functions annually," Sergeant Mc Cowan said. "We have 32 active honor guardsmen for 90 days to perform all MFHs. We also have 32 on-call members. All members attend a two-week training course here at Keesler prior to beginning their 90-day rotation. During their active rotation, all members attend proficiency training every Wednesday." She closed by saying, "The honor guard is trained to provide military honors with precision, professionalism and pride, striving to exceed even our own rigorous Air Force standards, while demonstrating the highest level of commitment in representing the United States Air Force and Keesler Air Force Base." For more information, call 377-1986. To visit the Air Force Honor Guard's website, go to http://www.honorguard.af.mil/ FOLDING THE FLAG Totally, the flag is folded in two parts reminding us of 2 parts of life; our birth and death and our life here and hereafter. The red and white stripes interchange throughout our flag reminding us; in the red, of the blood and hardships of life and in the white, of the purity and goodness of life. Every life has both red and white. The flag is carefully folded into the shape of the tri-cornered hat, reminiscent of the hats worn by the soldiers who fought and won the revolution for American independence. The three fold also reminds Christians of the 3-in- I of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The red and white are soon folded and only blue and the stars are seen, reminding us of heaven. When our life of red and white is over; may only heaven remain. FUNERALS Military funeral ceremonies are based on customs and traditions that developed through the years. Some elements of the funeral ceremony are based on old expedients used long ago on the battlefield. The ceremony demonstrated our nations recognition of the debt it owes the services and sacrifices of members of the armed forces. DETAILS WITHIN A FUNERAL Pallbearers escort the body of the deceased safely to the place of internment Colors bear the national colors and service colors of the deceased. Taps over the grave today marks the beginning of the long last sleep and expresses hope and confidence in an ultimate reveille to come.