Honor Guard shows some Red, White and Blue

  • Published
  • By Maj. Veronica Kemeny
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  It's never too early for students to learn about Old Glory.

Four members of Tyndall Air Force Base's 325th Fighter Wing Honor Guard deployed to Lynn Haven Elementary to instruct third graders from Mrs. Amy Harvey's class on proper flag etiquette Oct. 14. The class is in charge of raising and lowering the American flag each school day.

The Honor Guard spent the morning instructing the class of eight and nine year olds how to honor the flag. 

"Our experience with the Lynn Haven class was priceless," said Senior Airman Brendan Crawford, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit and Honor Guard member. "I had no idea kids of this age could have such a grasp of our flag's importance and heritage. It was comforting to see the next generation taking pride in the things we hold so important."

The Lynn Haven children played a flag trivia game and received hands-on raising and lowering the flag as well as proper flag folding instruction from the Honor Guard team.

"I learned the first stripe on the flag is red," said Thomas Creel, a Lynn Haven third grade student. "The best part was when I got to fold and unfold the flag. It was just fun. I would like to join the Honor Guard, it looks cool."

Other students enjoyed the learning experience as well.

"I didn't know how to fold the flag before," said Allie Shelton, an eight year old from Mrs. Harvey's class. "I liked watching the Honor Guard fold the flag. It just looked cool and I liked their uniforms."

"It gives me a sense of joy knowing that in this case, a child will know a bit more about a military 'dude', as a third grader would say," said Airman 1st Class Sinuhe' Brito-Aguirre, 325th Medical Operations Squadron and Honor Guard team member.

"I hope our team inspired them in some way," said Airman Brito-Aguirre. "I felt that instead of me teaching the kids how to fold a flag, they taught me that it is never too early to learn about military customs. By teaching them to fold the flag properly we also told them of why we do what we do. They may not know it but they will remember what we did. Hopefully some of them will teach others later on in their life to show proper respect to the flag and along with that to honor all of those who have passed defending that flag we all cherish."

The school outing provided a blissful change to the Honor Guards normal and very serious daily routine. Honor Guard members work hard to provide closure at funerals to the loved ones of our fallen veterans and give back to the community through countless flag ceremonies.

"The school detail was definitely one of my favorites," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Johnston, Honor Guard flight sergeant. "I like helping kids and instilling some or our nation's pride in them. The students were funny and very attentive for such a young class."

"Its details like the one at Lynn Haven Elementary that make our jobs so worthwhile," said Airman Crawford. "I'm a crew chief by trade, but Honor Guard member by choice."

The pride and service of the dedicated Honor Guard team is visible to all the students who witnessed their choreographed flag presentation.

"The students were in awe of the Honor Guard and are now showing a much better respect for the flag and our country," said Mrs. Amy Harvey, Lynn Haven Elementary third grade teacher.

"The Honor Guard experience was so much better than I could have ever imagined," said Mrs. Harvey. "They were so patient with the children and so interested in showing the children the proper techniques. This was a very positive experience. Now the children have role models and enjoyed the experience so much that they all have been talking about joining the Air Force when they grow up."