HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Senior Airman Alec B. Cope, a ceremonial guardsman for the Patriot Honor Guard, appreciates his opportunity to give back to those Air Force veterans who have come before him.
Cope, and other members of the Patriot Honor Guard team, provide military funeral honors throughout New England and parts of New York for active duty, retired members and veterans who served in the United States Air Force honorably.
“I serve to honor those who have served before me, who have given me my opportunity to serve in the United States Air Force,” Cope said. “I think by honoring them as they are laid to rest is an appropriate was to do that.”
Since first joining the Hanscom Honor Guard team, Cope estimates he has participated in more than 100 funeral and color guard details throughout the region.
When asked if one funeral detail stood out over another, the young Airman highlighted the poignancy of an active duty ceremony.
“Of the ones I have participated in, most have been about my age,” said Cope, who is in his early 20s.
He discussed how he finds it helpful to learn about the deceased beforehand.
“Often I’ll learn a little about them through an obituary or from their DD Form 214,” he said. “These men and women served their nation honorably and often had remarkable careers. I’m honored to pay tribute to their service.”
Cope joined the Air Force in 2012 after graduating high school. Following technical training at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, he arrived here in February 2013.
“I first got involved in the Patriot Honor Guard as an augmentee when I was assigned as a customer service representative for the 66th Comptroller Squadron,” he said. “Soon after joining the Honor Guard, I felt a real sense of purpose.”
In September 2015, Cope left 66 CPTS to join the honor guard team full time.
“I joined the military to do something that I couldn’t do on the outside,” he said. “Much of what I did in Finance, while rewarding, was certainly something I could do on the outside. Providing military honors to veterans was that unique experience I was in search of.”
Cope attributes his desire to serve as a ceremonial guardsman from both his grandfather’s funeral and witnessing a dignified transfer at the airport while in high school.
“My grandfather served in the Marine Corps and when he passed away, a Marine Corps Honor Guard team provided military funeral honors,” he said. “I was blown away by their professionalism and how they honored my grandfather.”
Cope understands that while he is participating in a funeral or color guard detail, he may be influencing a new generation of honor guard members.
“From the first detail I participated in, I knew this was something I really enjoyed and wanted to do more of,” Cope said. “When you look into the eyes of the next of kin and know how much they appreciate you being there, it’s instant gratification and incredibly rewarding.”
In addition to funeral honors, Hanscom’s Honor Guard team participates in community and base-related events on- and off-base as staffing permits.
“Participating in pregame festivities on the field at Fenway Park before a Boston Red Sox game is one of the coolest things I have ever done in my life,” he said. “Each of us [in the Honor Guard] appreciates the opportunity we have to represent the United States Air Force.”
Along with Cope, five active duty members and more than 30 others staff the Patriot Honor Guard team. The team also receives Honor Guard support from Air National Guard and Reserve units throughout the region.
The team conducts nearly 2,500 funerals each year.
“On any given day, we participate in as many as 25 funerals throughout Hanscom’s area of responsibility,” said Tech. Sgt. Paul Cram, Patriot Honor Guard NCO in charge. “This can require up to 50 well-trained base honor guard team members.”
Any enlisted or officers interested in learning more about the Patriot Honor Guard are asked to call 781-225-5900.
“It’s an incredible honor for each member of the Patriot Honor Guard team to show the nation’s deepest gratitude to those who, during times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our nation,” said Master Sgt. Kevin M. Connors, Patriot Honor Guard superintendent. “This ceremonial paying of respect is one of the final demonstrations a grateful nation can provide to the veteran’s family.”