Kirtland Honor Guard volunteers have solemn duty

  • Published
  • By Ryan Stark
  • Nucleus writer
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The Kirtland Honor Guard, one of the most visible groups on base and throughout the state, is a group that shoulders a serious responsibility.

Members take part in dozens of large, public events around New Mexico, including high-profile events like the New Mexico Bowl or Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. But their most common duty -- funerals for retired and active-duty military members -- are solemn and intimate.

Senior Airman Christopher Adams -- who serves as Honor Guard manager and is a member of Kirtland's 377th Weapons Systems Security Squadron -- said he remembers standing in a windy, dirt cemetery in the small town of Wagon Mound, N.M., and seeing a funeral procession arrive several years ago.

"You're standing there with five other people, and this shock wave goes through you when the family and the hearse pulls up," he said. "You want to do the honors to the best of your ability and make it look great every time."

From Jan. 1 to June 23, the Kirtland Honor Guard's four flights worked 327 details, 170 of them funerals. Other duties include the Albuquerque Kite Festival, Memorial Day ceremonies at the Santa Fe National Cemetery and New Mexico Veterans Memorial, military promotion and retirement ceremonies and military appreciation banquets. But it's the funerals that take priority, Adams said.

Air Force honor guards are congressionally mandated to provide funeral honors for honorably discharged veterans, according to Master Sgt. Keshia Hughley. Hughley is the NCO in charge of Kirtland Honor Guard and New Mexico Air National Guard 150th Force Support Squadron member.

"I feel honored that we can give the family one last moment with their loved one," she said. "We're honoring somebody who has served, who's done what we've done and it just feels good."

Honor guard volunteers perform their duties in addition to their regular Air Force job.  Among the benefits are professional development and experience that can help land
promotions, free hair cuts and discounts from on-base organizations including the Bowling Center, Auto Hobby Shop, Outdoor Recreation and more.

The honor guard can also help recently commissioned lieutenants get command experience, Adams said.

"A lot of our lieutenants work at places with no enlisted Airmen and a bunch of majors, and they only get told what to do all the time," he said. "Honor Guard gives them the
opportunity to lead and effort and lead people."

Generally, honor guard members are newer members of the Air Force.

Volunteer work is also part of the honor guard's duties. Members help build homes with Habitat for Humanity in Albuquerque, volunteer as mentors for Big Brothers Big
Sisters and work with youth groups like the Boy Scouts of America and Civil Air Patrol.

"It's a big thing for enlisted Airmen to give back to the community, and being on the honor guard gives us a chance to do that," Adams said. "

The massive amount of funerals and all the other things we do for the civilian community are awesome," Hughley added.

The Kirtland Honor Guard is looking for new members. It has 40 members, Hughley said, but 52 would be optimal. Airmen interested in joining the Honor Guard should get in
touch with their first sergeants for approval, then call 846-1804.

Those in need of the honor guard at a funeral can call the same number. They will need their family member's DD 214 form.