Warren's newest Ceremonial Guardsmen graduate into base honor guard

by Senior Airman Mike Tryon
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

12/7/2012 - F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Paying tribute to fallen veterans can be one of the most emotional things an Airman can perform.

Ceremonial Guardsmen take it one step further by providing military honors to fallen veterans, and at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., the honor guard graduated 28 members into the Ceremonial Guardsmen Corps Nov. 29 in the Pronghorn Center.

"This graduation was to showcase what the new members learned during their training," said Tech. Sgt. Gary Wayland, 90th Force Support Squadron Honor Guard NCO-in-charge.

In order to be considered Ceremonial Guardsmen, Airmen must undergo two weeks of training for various services and ceremonies, including a military honors funeral.

"During the two-week course, they learned everything they needed to know to perform all aspect of honor guard duties over the next year," Wayland said.

During the graduation ceremony, Col. George Farfour, 90th Missile Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Michael Garrou, 90th MW command chief, both gave remarks to those in attendance.

"Almost everything we do in the military has a reason in history," Farfour said. "We, perhaps more than any other group in our great republic lean heavily on the respect we show for that history. You will take those traditions and in many cases be the sole representative of the armed forces to a family in demonstrating through this training how much we as a society value their military service.

"On behalf of Col. Christopher Coffelt, 90th MW commander, congratulations on your graduation -- we couldn't be more proud of you as you represent the Mighty Ninety, the Air Force, and indeed, our very country," Farfour added.

The culmination of the graduation ceremony saw Warren's newest Ceremonial Guardsmen get the chance to put some of their training into practice as they performed a mock full military honors funeral in the presence of the 90th Missile Wing vice commander and wing command chief.

"There is no greater responsibility they will perform to a veteran than a military honors funeral," Garrou said. "This [graduation] ceremony not only shows the training they've received, but also demonstrates the professionalism of our Airmen when performing a military honors funeral."

Those wishing to join the base honor guard and become a Ceremonial Guardsman can contact their first sergeant with the approval of their immediate supervisor. The next recruiting push and two-week training course for new members will be between April and May.