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Honor guard seeks recruits

  • Published
  • By SrA. Carl Berry
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind., --  Throughout the Air Force's history the honor guard has represented every past, present and future member of the United States Air Force in ceremonies and events. 

Master Sgt. Timothy Wood, 434th Services Flight shift supervisor, recently replaced Senior Master Sgt. Linda Mason, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, as the Grissom Base Honor Guard noncommissioned officer in charge recently. 

Sergeant Wood has been an active member of the base honor guard for the last six years. He has participated in numerous events including military funeral honors, retirement ceremonies, and presenting the colors at nationally televised sporting events and other various community service activities. 

"Serving in the Air Force has been a dream of mine and getting selected as the NCOIC for the honor guard has been the icing on the cake," he said. 

However, the honor guard is not for everyone, he added. 

It takes an Airman with a lot of heart, desire and commitment, said Sergeant Wood.
Often members of the honor guard leave early in the morning for details and return late in the evenings. Some details are completed in the bitter cold or scorching heat. 

"We are out there standing for prolonged periods, in all weather conditions; it takes a lot to stand there, motionless, by choice," he said. "But, we're not out there for ourselves; we're out there to serve the military members and their families, as the last integral part of closure." 

Grissom Airmen who are interested in joining the base honor guard must go through a special application process, which includes disclosure about availability and interviews with supervisors. 

"A servicemember must have the heart," said Sergeant Wood. "If the sound of Taps or seeing the American flag does not send chills up your spine then the honor guard may not be for you." 

If selected, Airmen must attend one-week of intense training and are asked to commit to a minimum of six details per year. 

"It truly is rewarding," concluded Sergeant Wood.

Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer