"Honor" lives at Lajes

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores, Portugal --  Crisp movements match the uniforms of the ceremonial guardsmen entering the room. Two guardsmen carrying rifles flank the United States flag and the U.S. Air Force flag as the team marches onto the stage. The detail leader orders the team to halt. The next order is, "present arms," and the guardsmen comply flawlessly lowering the Air Force flag, honoring the U.S. flag during the national anthem.

The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard was formed in 1948 when it was activated by Headquarters Command, U.S. Air Force, within the 1100th Air Police Battalion at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington D.C. Now most bases have their own "base honor guard" that supports base events.

Even though Lajes Field is small, it does have a base honor guard. Staff Sgt. Monteceo Perry, 65th Air Base Wing Base Honor Guard noncommissioned officer in charge, has the honor of leading the guardsmen at Lajes.

For Perry, leading this team of ceremonial guardsmen does come with its challenges, which he says he is ready for.

"The greatest way to overcome (the challenges of bringing everyone together) is to be stern, be patient, be bold and be motivational," Perry said.

According to the USAF Honor Guard website, a "ceremonial guardsman is an individual of good reputation, having integrity, ethical conduct and exhibiting standards which merit respect; responsible for protecting and overseeing the maintenance of standards on and off duty. It is truly an occupation which requires outstanding devotion and commitment to duty. By maintaining our history and exceptionally high standards, honor guards will continue to remain an icon of excellence."

Once an Airman shows interest in being a ceremonial guardsman, Perry sends them an application that has to be filled out and routed through the chain of command. Once the commander signs off, that Airman reports to Perry to see if they have what it takes to become a guardsman. This includes basic drill commands during a tryout session.

After the guardsman is trained, they can be seen honoring promotees and retirees or posting the colors for other ceremonies. Whenever the wing calls upon them, they will be there in their ceremonial dress ready to represent the legacy of the Air Force Honor Guard.

"I had a mentor who told me a while back to always make your boss' priorities your priority and if the honor guard is a priority of the wing and the priority of the Air Force, then it's my priority and it should be our priority to maintain it."

Being a part of the honor guard is not just about giving to the Air Force and honoring the history and legacy of it, but it also helps the guardsman.

"The main entitlement would be that you become part of an elite team," Perry said. "You stand as elite among your peers and the base. Only a handful of people can say they served on the Lajes Honor Guard."

Other benefits include being eligible for an Air Force achievement medal, an honor guard coin and a chance at winning Honor Guardsmen of the Quarter or Year.

"I want the sharpest Airmen," Perry said. "I am looking for that person who accepts an opportunity, a challenge and those Airmen who accept a greater responsibility other than themselves.

The honor guardsmen practice every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and interested Airmen should contact Perry at 535-5727.