An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Leaving a lasting impression

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Keoni Chavarria
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  A person's first impression of an organization is critical, but a final impression may be even more important at times.

The McChord Field Honor Guard, assisted by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, demonstrated an active duty honors followed by a graduation ceremony of their newest flight, Sept. 2, at Heritage Hill, on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The graduating flight of the McChord Field Honor Guard performed an active duty honors to McChord Field's leadership to showcase what they have learned in the two weeks of their training.

To aid the McChord Field Honor Guard, members from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, which have not been to McChord Field in more than seven years, came to instruct them on an active duty honors ceremony.

The active duty honors consisted of carrying a casket, presenting the flag to the family, posting the colors and firing three volleys from the firing party team.

The McChord Field Honor Guard serves at ceremonies such as performing military honors as well as presenting the colors across the Pacific Northwest for active duty, retirees and Veterans.

During the two-week course, the students practiced movements and procedures.

They continue to practice when they are not on a detail even after becoming a member.

During many of the details the honor guard participates in, members provide a first-hand look of the U.S. Air Force to others that may have not encountered the military before and can be a person's first and last impression.

"The honor guard is crucial because many times, funerals are the last impression that families have of the Air Force so it is important to be looking as sharp as possible," said Senior Airman Daniel Bucher, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard instructor.

After the demonstration, the graduation ceremony began.

During the graduation, Chief Master Sgt. Tico Mazid, 62nd Airlift Wing command chief, and Chief Master Sgt. Kristen Orcutt, 627th Air Base Group command chief presented a certificate to the graduates.

"I'm just proud [of us]," said Senior Airman Devin Cameron, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron instruments and flight control system journeyman and McChord Field Honor Guard member. "Everybody here has been working hard, and it's kind of a rare occasion to have the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard to come and help us."

The new members will now be able to perform details on their own and create lasting impressions for those in the military, as well as for those who have not yet encountered the military.

"The honor guard is our forces ambassadors and they could possibly be the final remembrance to a family of their time spent in the military," said Tech. Sgt. James Lee, McChord Field Airman Leadership School instructor.