Hanscom community says thanks to honor guard members

  • Published
  • By J.C. Corcoran
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  The Hanscom community came together at the Minuteman Club March 7 to say thanks to honor guard members at this year's annual Honor Guard Awards Banquet. 

Also in attendance were representatives from the various honor guard units in New York, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. 

Guest speaker for the evening was Chief Master Sgt. Robin Johnson, the chief enlisted manager, United States Air Force Honor Guard. 

Noting the accomplishments of the "total force" membership, Chief Johnson praised the honor guard for their selfless dedication to rendering honors for our deceased Air Force veterans. 

Recognizing the contributions of not only the members of the Patriot Honor Guard, but those of the Reserve and National Guard units that support the mission, Col. Tom Schluckebier, 66th Air Base Wing commander and host for the evening, followed on the words of Chief Johnson, praising the efforts of the honor guard members. 

"The success of the honor guard relies on the contributions of each member of each organization," said Colonel Schluckebier. 

"Each unit, Active, Reserve and National Guard, contribute to the overall success of the honor guard and their ability to meet the demand placed upon them. 

We owe them a great deal of thanks for what they do on our behalf," he said.
Colonel Schluckebier presented plaques to the eight representatives from the other honor guard units in appreciation for their hard work and dedication during 2007. 

The total force camaraderie was evident as representatives from the following units came to the stage to be honored: the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard; the 101st Air Refueling Wing, Bangor, Maine; the 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base; the 157th Air Refueling Wing, Portsmouth, N.H.; the Northeast Air Defense Sector, Rome, N.Y.; the 103rd Fighter Wing, Bradley, Conn.; the 102nd Fighter Wing, Bourne, Mass., and the 109th Airlift Wing, Scotia, N.Y. 

Highlighting the evening was the presentation of individual awards to members of Patriot Honor Guard. 

Winner of the Master Sgt. Lenny Lanier Award for 2007, recognizing the individual most ready to give of themselves to help others, was 1st Lt. David Wyatt, 651 ELSS. 

Airman First Class McCalter Jackson of ESC's Contracting Directorate was named Honor Guard Enlisted member of the year. 

First Lt. William Steininger-Holmes, 853rd Electronic Systems Group won the Honor Guard Officer of the Year award. 

Also recognized during the evening were those individuals selected by the Reserve and National Guards units as their nominees for the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force State Honor Guardsman of the Year for 2007. 

Representing the 103rd Fighter Wing, Bradley, Conn. was Staff Sgt. Conner Thomas. From the 102nd Fighter Wing, Bourne, Mass. was Master Sgt. Don Kochka. 

From the Northeast Air Defense Sector, Rome, N.Y. was Master Sgt. Donald Roberts.
Selected from the 157th Air Refueling Wing, Portsmouth, N.H. was Col. Mike Horne and, from the 109th Airlift Wing, Scotia, N.Y. was Staff Sgt. Allen Moon. 

Selected to represent Air Force Materiel Command as the AFMC Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year at the Air Force level competition, was Senior Master Sgt. Laura Noel, Patriot Honor Guard superintendent.