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Serving with honor and dignity

  • Published
  • By Chris Aguinaldo
  • Hickam Kukini editor
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Hickam's exemplary Airmen who render honor with dignity were recently recognized at a special ceremony April 16. 

The Hickam Base Honor Guard held a luncheon last week Thursday to also thank the supervisors who allow them to serve on the respected team. 

"They bring dignity to our Air Force and our nation," said guest speaker Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Bishop, Command Chief Master Sergeant for Pacific Air Forces about the Hickam team. 

While "there's a lot going on" like our nation at war, dealing with a smaller force and the need to fulfill the mission, "our Honor Guardsmen find time each and every day to perform ceremonies, provide honors and train," he said. 

"What I've learned over the years," he continued, "is most of the time training happens on their time, not on duty time." 

Members practice at nights, weekends, whenever they can -- for the opportunity to serve may happen at short notice. "God forbid we lose a service member, they're out there," Chief Bishop said. 

The men and women of the Hickam team exhibit "commitment, dedication and their professionalism." 

That kind of precision is honed with training and so it's with great appreciation that supervisors still find the time "to support our young Airmen" who serve on Honor Guard, said Chief Bishop. 

Without that kind of support from their leaders, the team wouldn't be able to render their special services, he posited. 

Several team leaders received decorations for their service. They were: 

· Tech. Sgt. Isidro Tabion (MSM) - 5 Point
· Master Sgt. Marcus Della Sala (AFCM) - 3 Point
· Tech. Sgt. Laura Danielson (AFAM) - 1 Point 

The luncheon was also an opportunity to recognize one of the Hickam team's earnest supporters, Chief Master Sergeant Thomas Westermeyer. The 15th Airlift Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant will be departing for Eglin Air Force Base and received a special gift, a mounted bayonet, from the Honor Guard. 

Chief Westermeyer admitted he learned a lot about the Honor Guard while at Hickam and the professionalism of our team, their leaders and the support given to them around the base. 

He also shared his immense respect for what the team is called to do and thanked the supervisors who support these Airmen. "It's been an honor being your command chief and serving you, the Honor Guardsman and supervisors," he said. 

15 AW Vice Commander Col. Dean Wolford, on behalf Col. Giovanni Tuck, summed up how the leadership regarded the Honor Guard, recalling getting a call about lost serviceman returning at about 3 a.m. Quickly, the team assembled and stepped out of a C-17 in front of the fallen's family with his casket. 

"I still get chills thinking about it," said Colonel Wolford. "That family could not have been more proud of their son" as they saw the dignity being accorded to him. 

"It's memories like that you etch in the minds and hearts of family members and service members."