Hickam Honor Guard: A rewarding, challenging mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alexander Martinez
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  The image of a sharply dressed Airman kneeling in front of a fallen veteran's next of kin, gently handing them a folded U.S flag will forever be a representation of what it means to be an Honor Guard member. For them, being in the Honor Guard is a challenge and responsibility few get to experience in the Air Force, but they understand the mission's importance to the service and the public.

Here, the Honor Guard team is the busiest in the Pacific, and one of the busiest in the Air Force, providing the majority of their ceremony support for the Hawaiian Islands. Their operations tempo remains high year round with not only funerals but also changes of command, retirements and other high visibility events.

Tech. Sgt. Weldys Baez, Honor Guard NCO in charge, fully understands the responsibility bestowed upon his team.

"It's a great honor to be here and to represent Air Force members past and present, and honor those who aren't here anymore," Baez said. "The mission is crucial. It's a huge responsibility to represent the Air Force when you put on that Honor Guard uniform."

Baez is currently serving a year-long special duty as the Honor Guard NCOIC and oversees four teams of Honor Guard members comprised of volunteers from many different career fields. Each team serves one week out of a month for twelve months, according to a contract they sign when they join.

"The Airmen I've had join us have come here with a very positive attitude and are always ready to execute the mission no matter what," Baez said. "Even if we have short notice events, they are ready to go, and it's truly rewarding to have these individuals part of the team."

Upon joining the program, new members attend an introduction training class that teaches them the basics of Honor Guard rules, drill, and customs.

Senior Airman Kimberly Kaneda-Soileau is currently filling the program's year-long special duty trainer position, conducts introduction training classes and teaches the more advanced Honor Guard rules and regulations. She said coming from the intelligence career field, it was refreshing to work with new people.

"Everyone is from different backgrounds, so that is something I enjoy," Kaneda-Soileau said. "They all come here with different personalities and abilities, so it's my job to help them learn how to work as a team and be an Honor Guard member."

The members' contracts are for one year, and after that they have the option to sign another contract or serve in the program occasionally as a volunteer.

"I look forward to my weekly rotation every month," said Senior Airman Ladarrion Holloway, an Honor Guard member. "It's challenging at times, but it's overall a good experience."

Holloway has been a member for almost a year and plans on continuing his service after his contract is up. He said the reason he decided to join was because his supervisor mentioned it would be a good experience for him. After a while, he decided to give it a try.

"It's a big responsibility but also a great honor to go out there and represent the Air Force," Holloway said. "The last thing I want to do is go to a ceremony and not be up to par, so I work hard to do my best."

The Honor Guard supports many events that can be emotional for all involved, so keeping their military bearing during ceremonies is an important part of the job.

"Sometimes, it's extremely hard to hold your bearing while giving the flag to the next of kin," Kaneda-Soileau said. "You can hear the family get emotional, but you have to be focused on the mission to hold your bearing. The playing of 'Taps' also makes everyone emotional. It still makes me emotional, and I can't tell you how many times I've heard it."

Airmen seeking an opportunity to be part of the team must route the request through their leadership.

Holloway stresses the importance of prospective members joining for the right reasons, not to simply get out of work for a week a month.

"It's something you have to have a passion for," he said. "You have to want to do it. It's a great opportunity and I feel like you can go far in it if you work hard."

According to Kaneda-Soileau, the Honor Guard is in some cases the last impression a family has of the military after a loved one passes away, and that's one reason why it's important for them to stay sharp and professional every day.