Serving with Honor: Patriot Honor Guard members train with USAF Honor Guard mobile training team

  • Published
  • By Meredith March
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Hanscom AFB --  The Patriot Honor Guard recently wrapped up an intense week of training with the United States Air Force Honor Guard's mobile training team. May 20 marked the final day of the daily eight-hour instruction and drill sessions. 

The AFHG mobile training team visits Hanscom biennially to update the Patriot Honor Guard on any official changes made to manuals, uniforms, elements and details to maintain Air Force-wide standardization, as well as to help members fine-tune their performances, said Master Sgt. Laura Noel, Patriot Honor Guard superintendent. 

Members of the reserve and national guard units who serve within the area of responsibility were also in attendance. 

"The training consisted of seven continuous days of intense training and skill refinement, and provided an opportunity to get to know all of the people that work in this AOR, as well as the opportunity to ensure that we all have the same understanding and skill set required to perform our duties as ceremonial guardsmen," said 2nd Lt. Dave Steininger-Holmes, 853rd Electronic Systems Group Project engineer. 

Honor guard members split into three groups, rotating instruction on pall bearing, colors and firing party duties, Sergeant Noel said. Drills on each element eventually culminated in mock funeral run-throughs. 

"The AFHG team was here really to perfect what we already knew and polish up the performance. We really focused on precision. When we put it all together for our first run-through, it was a great success. We were proud of ourselves for that." 

The training also invigorated members of the Patriot Honor Guard, Sergeant Noel said. "The team was already sharp, and I've always been proud of what we do, but this just really re-energizes you. It really drives home what we're doing. I think it will help us want to strive to perform even better." 

The training also addressed the symbolic and ceremonial aspects of honor guard duties. "The opportunity to be trained by the USAF Honor Guard instructors provided incredible insight into, and a deeper understanding of what we are really doing when we render the final military honors for our fallen heroes," Lieutenant Steininger-Holmes said. "Through their training and mentorship, [they] gave us a glimpse of what it means to be part of our nation's finest. I will strive to perform my duties as a ceremonial guardsman better as a result." 

Polished rendering of military funeral honors is the best way to show respect and appreciation for fallen servicemembers and comfort their families, said 2nd Lt. Michael Smith, 950 ELSG Technology Development engineer. "Honor Guard is a way to connect with those who've come before us. Rendering military honors during a funeral brings conclusion to a person's career and life, and resolution for the friends and family."

Showing gratitude to families for their loved one's service is a high priority, said 1st Lt. Phil Meikle, 950th Electronic Systems Group program manager. "The best part of performing details is when you go out and do a funeral and you know you hit all the spots. When it looks crisp it's that much better for the family," he said.

Giving back to families is an opportunity that all Hanscom Air Force members are invited to experience. "We want to offer this opportunity to people, even if they're unable to make a commitment to actually be on the team -- to experience how awesome it is to give back to families and to those fallen heroes who have given so much to our country and to our Air Force. I'd like everyone to be able to experience it at least once," Sergeant Noel said. 

"It's hard to explain and to understand the intrinsic value in what we do unless you can experience it for yourself," she said.

 "It's an honor," Lieutenant Meikle said. "The feeling that you get when you do a detail for someone is an awesome feeling -- you know that what you did meant something. It's a great experience. If we could get more people to help out it would be great."