Honor Guardsmen: honoring those who came before

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brandon Esau
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
The traditions and legacies maintained by RAF Mildenhall Honor Guardsmen are those which have been passed down through generations of Airmen before us.

With every flag fold, every drill movement and every funeral the Bloody Hundredth Honor Guard conducts, the mission is to always put the service member and their family first. That intimate moment, when Airmen and family members cross paths through the passing of a folded American flag, leaves a lasting touch for everyone involved.

“Our main mission and why we train as hard as we do, is to facilitate funeral honors for veterans and retirees of the Air Force,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Miller, RAF Mildenhall Honor Guard NCO-in-charge. “Of course we do color guards, retirements and change of commands, but we have an obligation to honor those who have served.”

Miller has been a member of honor guard teams both here at RAF Mildenhall and Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. As the honor guard NCO-in-charge, Miller has realized how his own experiences have allowed him to lead young Airmen.

“Joining the honor guard was an experience that kept me in the Air Force,” Miller said. “It has given me the feeling of being included. It has given me the chance to teach young honor guardsmen the responsibility they have for carrying on legacies and traditions laid out before us.”

Sacrifice - whether it’s sacrificing time with family, friends or even paying the ultimate sacrifice - is a concept service members and their families live with every day. Base honor guards have the responsibility of being the symbol that their sacrifices do not go unnoticed.

“There is a lot of sacrifice that goes into a service member’s life and even though the playing of Taps, flag folding and carrying the casket honors that person, I think more importantly it honors the family because they tend to be on the receiving end of that sacrifice.” Miller explained.

As for the men and women given of honor of this duty, Miller said that those who are willing to put in the work will one day reap the benefits that only a few Airmen can attain.

“We look for people who have a willingness to do something that is difficult,” Miller said. “We evaluate and make sure we see good bearing and discipline, because although those are difficult to teach, they are so important for the situations we find ourselves in.”

Understanding that they are a part of something bigger than themselves allows these Airmen to learn more than they ever thought possible.

“Being able to be part of the honor guard at RAF Mildenhall has really shed a light for me,” said Senior Airman Kathryn Kallo, 100th Force Support Squadron career development journeyman. “I’ve learned to keep my composure in tough and uncomfortable situations, which has really helped me in other aspects of my military life.”

Staff Sgt. Daniel Smiles, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron customer service supervisor, agrees.

“I have been allowed to have a connection with families by paying respect to those who have come before me,” Smiles explained. “I have been put into situations that allow for me to see the Air Force for more than what is in my little scope.”

The value of what the Team Mildenhall Honor Guard may never be truly measured, but the mission of honoring those who served before them will always be at the forefront of everything they do.

“We are committed to the Air Force’s legacy,” said Miller. “We are committed to the individual, not by just thanking them for their service, but by being there at the end. No matter how many generations will pass, we will always be there to remember them.”