‘PARADE REST!’ Two-year-old Jacob Vo smartly executes commands given by his uncle, Tech. Sgt. Neil Ballecer, a member of the March Field Honor Guard. Jacob became the Honor Guard’s unofficial mascot this year after Sgt. Ballecer observed him standing at attention and imitating the guard’s movements during official functions. “He’d march around the house at home after the events, or he’d see a military commercial and stand and salute. He even memorized the Star Spangled Banner,” said Sgt. Ballecer. “I didn’t teach him a thing; he did it all himself.” So, the next time Sgt. Ballecer took Jacob to an event - the Annual Honor Guard Banquet in September - he dressed him in a mini “Air Force” Honor Guard uniform. “It was hard to match our Honor Guard uniform, but I bought a little blue suit,” said Sgt. Ballecer. “Then I went to a craft supply store, and I got some piping and sewed it on the wrist of the suit and the side of the pants; I sewed on some old buttons, and I gave him my wings. He’d rather wear that suit than diapers.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Will Alexander)
‘ATTENTION!’ Two-year-old Jacob Vo smartly executes commands given by his uncle, Tech. Sgt. Neil Ballecer, a member of the March Field Honor Guard. Jacob became the Honor Guard’s unofficial mascot this year after Sgt. Ballecer observed him standing at attention and imitating the guard’s movements during official functions. “He’d march around the house at home after the events, or he’d see a military commercial and stand and salute. He even memorized the Star Spangled Banner,” said Sgt. Ballecer. “I didn’t teach him a thing; he did it all himself.” So, the next time Sgt. Ballecer took Jacob to an event - the Annual Honor Guard Banquet in September - he dressed him in a mini “Air Force” Honor Guard uniform. “It was hard to match our Honor Guard uniform, but I bought a little blue suit,” said Sgt. Ballecer. “Then I went to a craft supply store, and I got some piping and sewed it on the wrist of the suit and the side of the pants; I sewed on some old buttons, and I gave him my wings. He’d rather wear that suit than diapers.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Will Alexander)
‘SALUTE!’ Two-year-old Jacob Vo smartly executes commands given by his uncle, Tech. Sgt. Neil Ballecer, a member of the March Field Honor Guard. Jacob became the Honor Guard’s unofficial mascot this year after Sgt. Ballecer observed him standing at attention and imitating the guard’s movements during official functions. “He’d march around the house at home after the events, or he’d see a military commercial and stand and salute. He even memorized the Star Spangled Banner,” said Sgt. Ballecer. “I didn’t teach him a thing; he did it all himself.” So, the next time Sgt. Ballecer took Jacob to an event - the Annual Honor Guard Banquet in September - he dressed him in a mini “Air Force” Honor Guard uniform. “It was hard to match our Honor Guard uniform, but I bought a little blue suit,” said Sgt. Ballecer. “Then I went to a craft supply store, and I got some piping and sewed it on the wrist of the suit and the side of the pants; I sewed on some old buttons, and I gave him my wings. He’d rather wear that suit than diapers.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Will Alexander)