Grissom honor guard resets, seeks passionate volunteers Published March 12, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- They wear no name on their uniform, as they are a faceless representation of all Airmen, entrusted with protecting a legacy of valor and committed to honoring freedom's defenders. These Airmen are the volunteers of base honor guards around the globe, of whom 35 have recently recommitted to that mission here at Grissom as the base resets its elite team. Grissom's honor guard was temporarily reorganized in late 2012 as the team looked for a new, full-time manager and was just recently brought back online. Charged with managing that reset is Senior Master Sgt. Tim Wood, 434th Force Support Squadron, who was hired as the honor guard manager and recently helped train 12 ceremonial guardsmen here March 4-8 and is looking for more volunteers. Ceremonial guardsmen have a unique role of providing final military honors to a deceased veteran, retiree or active-duty Airman along with honoring the nation and its flag through special ceremonies at schools, churches, sporting venues and other special events, explained Wood. "It's about honoring those who have come before us and honoring the flag which symbolizes the freedom for which they fought," he continued. "When I see that flag and all it represents, that means everything to me." But honoring a nation and its defenders who have fallen is no easy task. "It can be very difficult emotionally, mentally and physically," elaborated Wood before explaining that Grissom's honor guard is looking for special people who are up to the task. During a recent training, facilitators from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, discussed the difficulties ceremonial guardsmen can have when honoring a fallen brother or sister in arms while stressing the importance of maintaining military bearing and a ceremonious appearance at all times. Grissom's base honor guard team will work in coordination with both Wright-Patterson and Scott AFB, Ill., to perform military funeral honors throughout Indiana. And, because ceremonial guardsmen represent all Airmen to the world, their character, motivation and other attributes are evaluated before being accepted for the training. "We have to lead by example with our uniform and our character," said Wood. "We're also looking for someone that has effective communication skills, would maintain a positive image for the Air Force, and has passion and heart." The ability to adapt quickly is also something Wood said he looks for when selecting team members as every military funeral honors ceremony is made unique by different venues, religious rites and family requests. "No two funerals are alike, and each has its own changes, so we need people who can think outside the box when they need to while still following the (Air Force instructions) and our high standards," he explained. That need to be prepared for anything while still rendering proper honors was reflected in the recent training as the Wright-Patterson instructors ran students through a multitude of different scenarios ranging from a casket being loaded in a hearse backward to rifle malfunctions. The week-long training also included honor guard basics such as unique facing movements, flag folding, casket bearing and weapons training. "It's intense training, but it's fun at the same time," said Wood, who added that he is planning his next training session sometime in mid-April. Those wishing to join the Grissom honor guard should contact Wood via email at timothy.wood.2@us.af.mil. Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units and a Marine Corps Reserve communications detachment. Stay connected with Grissom and the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
