Annual awards ceremony honors the honor guard

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ashley Norris
  • 452nd AMW Public Affairs
The March Total Force Blue Eagles Honor Guard held their annual awards ceremony Sep. 18, celebrating a year of serving the community, March ARB and former military members and families. They participated in over 1,300 funeral details and 180 ceremonies and functions, covering every single March ARB function. 

Keynote speaker Chief Master Sgt. Agustin Huerta, the 452nd Air Mobility Wing command chief, thanked the honor guard for their service. "Honor guard is the epitome of what we represent," he said. 

Chief Huerta attended two funerals this year in which the honor guard presented flags and he said that nothing is more important than the funeral details the honor guard performs. According to Chief Huerta, their service, "keeps our country's promise to take care of military families after the service members have gone to their final reward. 

The Blue Eagles have been breaking records and exceeding standards all year. In June Staff Sgt. Terrence Mananes, a guardsman with the 163rd Force Sustainment Squadron and a full time member of the Blue Eagles, was awarded the 2009 Air National Guard Outstanding Honor Guard Airman of the Year.

Awards

Most ceremonies performed
Senior Airman Zakia Webster, 163rd Force Support Sq. 

Best dress and appearance award
Staff Sgt. Terrence Mananes, 163rd Logistics Readiness Sq. 

Best performer award
Staff Sgt. Paul Connors, 95th Force Support Sq., Edwards AFB 

Most improved award
Senior Airman Valisia Reed, 82nd Aerial Ports Sq., Travis AFB 

Rookie of the year award
Staff Sgt. Joseph Martinez, 452nd Civil Engineer Sq. 

Volunteer of the year award
Staff Sgt. Paul Barone, 163rd Security Forces Sq. 

Augmentee of the year award
Staff Sgt. Keith Lawson, Fourth Air Force 

Combat Camera Teammate of the year award
Tech. Sgt. Neil Ballecer, 4th Combat Camera Sq. 

Leadership award
Tech. Sgt. Hilda Agyemang, 163rd MDS 

Flight of the year award
A Flight: Tech. Sgt. Darryl Willingham, Staff Sgt. Paul Barone, Staff Sgt.Paul Connors, Staff Sgt. Al Dupont, Staff Sgt. Ruben Garcia, Staff Sgt. Esteban Vigil, Staff Sgt. Alpha Smith, Staff Sgt. Austin Archey, Senior Airman Michael Arriaga, Senior Airman Zakia Webster 

Golden Eagle award
U.S. Army Reserve Honor Guard 

Honor guard excellence award
Staff Sgt. Kyle Platt, 452nd Civil Engineer Sq.