ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The Team Andrews Honor Guard, which is comprised of 56 individuals from various duty positions and mission partners around Andrews, held its annual awards ceremony at the Community Activities Center here Nov. 18.
During the ceremony, Col. Steven M. Shepro, 316th wing commander, presented four awards to Airmen who stood out amongst their peers. Colonel Shepro also made remarks highlighting the great accomplishments of the Andrews Honor Guard.
"The Team Andrews Honor Guard members represent the qualities that we aspire to as military members to fly, fight and win," said Col. Shepro. "They represent what transforms us from civilians to the less than one percent of the American population that puts on the uniform. They exemplify discipline, control, precision, poise and bring dignity to the honor guard uniform."
Following the ceremony, the crowd moved to the courtyard outside the CAC where they witnessed a demonstration each by the three teams composing the base honor guard.
"Since February of this year, the Andrews Honor Guard has put forth a herculean effort to master many skills needed to properly honor Airmen," said Capt. Cody L. Gravitt, 316th Force Support Squadron, sustainment services flight commander. "Whether they are travelling five hours to the Pittsburgh area or to the other side of the beltway, these guardsmen have honorably represented Andrews and the Air Force while providing dignified funeral honors for 47 veterans, 34 retirees, and two active duty servicemembers."
"There are few things that we do as the Air Force that are as high profile, or a more direct representation of the quality of our Airmen than providing military funeral honors to our fallen comrades in arms," said Captain Gravitt. "We cannot afford to have anybody but the very best executing this duty; the fallen and their families deserve nothing less."
"Today's ceremony could not have taken place without the tireless efforts of Senior Airman Nicolette (Marshall Andrews Honor Guard administrator from the 113 Air National Guard) and Tech. Sgt, Keith Moss (Andrews Honor Guard non commissioned officer in charge)." said Captain Gravitt. "Also, honor guard is a team effort, we can't get the mission done without the Airmen who join and the supervisors and co-workers that support them in that commitment."