Heroes Breakfast

On behalf of the 174th Fighter Wing Base Honor Guard, SMSgt Melinda Haines and TSgt James Jarmacz accepts the Military Hero Award, presented by Ellen Mitchell of Lockheed-Martin at the Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast, held at the Oncenter Convention Center Complex on Wednesday, December 3, 2008. The primary mission of the base honor guard is to provide military funeral honors for active duty, retired members, and veterans. The 174th Fighter Wing Base Honor Guard consists of 52 volunteers from Hancock Field.

Heroes Breakfast

Colonel Kevin W. Bradley, 174th Fighter Wing Commander, poses with members of the 174th Base Honor Guard at a Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at the Oncenter Convention Center in Downtown Syracuse, NY. The honor guard was presented the award for the Military Hero. The primary mission of the base honor guard is to provide military funeral honors for active duty, retired members, and veterans. The 174th Fighter Wing Base Honor Guard consists of 52 volunteers from Hancock Field.

BASE HONOR GUARD RECOGNIZED

Published Dec. 9, 2008
By Senior Airman Kevin Dean
174th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office

Syracuse, NY -- The 174th Fighter Wing Base Honor Guard was recognized at the 10th Annual American Red Cross Real Heroes Breakfast December 6, 2008 at the Oncenter Convention Center Complex from 7:30 to 9 a.m.

The Onondaga-Oswego Chapter of the American Red Cross recognized the base honor guard along with 20 other local heroes. The award was accepted for the base honor guard by Senior Master Sgt. Melinda Haines and Tech. Sgt. James Jarmacz.

The primary mission of the base honor guard is to provide military funeral honors for active duty, retired members, and veterans. The 174th Fighter Wing Base Honor Guard consists of 52 volunteers from Hancock Field.

"Last Year, the base honor guard conducted over a hundred military funeral honors for veterans, active duty, and retirees," said Senior Master Sgt. Melinda Haines.

Only exceptional airmen are considered for the base honor guard detail and they must maintain a high standard of appearance and conduct. Wing Commander, Col. Kevin W. Bradley said, "They are the best of the best and a visible symbol of the organization for the public and we are proud of their efforts."

The 174th Fighter Wing Base Honor Guard also participates in numerous community events such as presentations, the posting of The Colors, and changes of command and other official ceremonies.

Public law mandates that upon the family's request, every eligible veteran receives a military funeral honors ceremony, to include folding and presenting the United States burial flag and the playing of Taps. The law defines a military funeral honors detail as consisting of two or more uniformed military persons, with at least one being a member of the veteran's parent service of the armed forces.

The honor guard members from the 174th Fighter Wing perform their duties, anytime, day or night, whenever duty calls.

The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies and the breakfast is designed to honor individuals who have shown courage, dedication and selflessness by their acts of heroism in the community.