Honoring those who honor us

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Harold Padua
  • March Field Total Force Honor Guard
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  Team March came together to honor the outstanding individuals of the March Field Blue Eagles Total Force Honor Guard at the Cultural Resource Center, Friday, Sept. 14. Their primary mission is to employ, equip and train Air Force members to provide professional military funeral honors for active duty, retired members and veterans of the U.S. Air Force. The honor guard emphasizes the importance of military customs and courtesies, dress and appearance, and drill and ceremonies.

"In my opinion the one word that best describes the men and women of the March Field Total Force Honor Guard is excellence," said Master Sgt. Octavio Ortiz, team superintendent. "They always seek out and complete all of their responsibilities ensuring their job skills, knowledge and personal readiness are always at their peak. They achieve this by working together and successfully reaching a common goal, emphasizing a team mentality in meeting the operational demands of one of the busiest honor guards in the country."

The March Honor Guard has performed more than 1,600 military funerals honors and more than 200 military and civilian functions throughout Southern California. They are amazing men and women who are committed to serving others honorably and unselfishly. This year's special recognition awards are:

Honor Guard Excellence Award - Tech. Sgt. Dana Mikles, 452 MXS

Flight NCO / Flight of the Year -Staff Sgt. Sonny Madrid, 452 AMXS /"B" Flight

Golden Eagle Award - Tech. Sgt. Adriana Bennefield, 163 HC & Staff Sgt. Dejon Fruga, 50 APS

Leadership Award - Tech. Sgt. Harold Padua, 412 FSS Edwards AFB

Teammate of the Year - Staff Sgt. Dawn Jackson, 452 FSS

Augmentee of the Year - Master Sgt. Darryl Willingham, 452 ASTS

Volunteer of the Year - Staff Sgt. Daniel Stephens, 163 HC

Rookie of the Year - Senior Airman Michael Antonson, 163 AMXS

Most Improved - Staff Sgt. John Zimmerman, 163 SFS

Best Performer - Staff Sgt. Terrence Mananes, 163 LRS

Best Dressed - Staff Sgt. Sonny Madrid, 452 AMXS