Blue Eagles celebrate decade of excellence Published Oct. 2, 2007 By Amy Abbott 452 AMW/PA MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- The Blue Eagles Total Force Honor Guard at March Air Reserve Base hosted a banquet and awards ceremony Saturday at the Hap Arnold Club. The honor guard team here is made up of reservists from the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, 4th Air Force, the 349th Air Mobility Wing from Travis, Air Force Base, Calif., Air National Guard members from the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing and active duty members from the 95th Air Base Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif. Together, their banquet's theme was "A Decade of Excellence" and, as one of the busiest honor guards in the nation, it was a much deserved time to relax and celebrate the past 10 years. "It takes a special person to be a ceremonial guardsman," said Master Sgt. Octavio Ortiz, the 452nd Air Mobility Wing Honor Guard's superintendent. "The level of dedication and commitment needed by the honor guard members and their families at times could be overwhelming. We have an unpredictable and very grueling schedule coupled with strict standards of performance, dress and appearance and conduct. With that being said, it is truly an honor and privilege to do what we do." The grueling schedule has, in part, to do with March's location adjacent to the Riverside National Cemetery, currently the busiest cemetery in the nation. According to Sergeant Ortiz, the Blue Eagles Honor Guard at March averages between 140 to 180 funerals a month and over 1,800 a year. "Giving proper military honors to our country's veterans is the most rewarding part of the job," said Staff Sgt. Kyle Hollingsworth, a member of the honor guard team. "My grandfather was in the Korean War and to be able to hand that flag to my grandmother for his service, it really brought home what the honor guard is all about." Additionally, the team performs 160-plus other ceremonial functions each year. And, on top of that, they have a 100% participation rate with all base functions this year. "We finally get to celebrate all that we have done for 10 great years," said Sergeant Hollingsworth. "Over the years our team has had the privilege to welcome a president, a president's wife and the Spirit of Ronald Reagan (C-17) to our beloved base. The honor guard is constantly staying involved in the civilian community as well as the military side." Among the night's festivities, many troops were recognized for their outstanding contributions. Reserve member of the year went to Sergeant Hollingsworth. Air National Guard member of the year is Tech Sgt. Jonathan Gaygar, 163rd Reconnaissance Wing. Honor guard member of the year is Tech Sgt. Dawn Perez, 95th Air Base Wing. Chosen to be a member of an honor guard is an elite position. It requires dedication, determination and a lot of training. Yet, according to the members of the Blue Eagles, it is well worth it. "The most rewarding thing I find about this job is the appreciation we receive from the families," said Master Sgt. Phillip Mendoza, 163rd MDS. SSgt Eduardo Cervantes, a member from the 163rd Communications Flight, added that being a part of the team is gratifying, because you get "a sense of belonging" that comes from working "amongst loyal professionals who strive for excellence throughout every drill and ceremony." Now that the food and drinks are gone and all of the awards have been given out, it is time for the honor guard members to get back to doing what they do best - representing the nation as the guardian of our colors. BEST DRESS AND APPEARANCE -- SRA TERRANCE MANANES, 163RW BEST PERFORMER -- SSGT DANA MIKLES, 452AMW ROOKIE OF THE YEAR -- SRA OSCAR CORTES, 82APS (Travis AFB) TRAINER OF THE YEAR -- SSGT GENO PUDELEK, 95ABW TEAMMATE OF THE YEAR -- SSGT HILDA AGYEMANG, 163RW LEADERSHIP AWARD -- TSGT JONATHAN GAYGAY, 163RW 8G000 MEMBER OF THE YEAR -- TSGT DAWN PEREZ, 95ABW RESERVE MEMBER OF THE YEAR -- SSGT KYLE HOLLINGSWORTH, 452AMW AIR NATIONAL GUARD MEMBER OF THE YEAR -- TSGT JONATHAN GAYGAY, 163RW HONOR GUARD MEMBER OF THE YEAR -- TSGT DAWN PEREZ, 95ABW