The show must go on

SEDALIA, Mo. – Members of the Whiteman Honor Guard come to a halt in front of center stage before presenting the colors at the premiere entertainment showcase of the U.S. Air Force, the 2007 edition of Tops In Blue musical show entitled "The Fly By" at the Mathewson Exhibition Center at the Missouri State Fairgrounds Jan. 31. Despite the inclement weather many came to see Tops in Blue who tour worldwide each year under the auspices of the Air Force Services Agency located in San Antonio, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Stephen Linch)

Show of support

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Members of the Whiteman Honor Guard Post the Colors with honor guardsmen from the Army, Navy and Marines before the kickoff of the Kansas City Brigade versus the Chicago Rush game at the Sprint Arena April 14. The Kansas City Brigade (0-6) lost 49-42 to the Chicago Rush (5-2). The Kansas City Brigade is a team from the Arena Football League. The team got their name Nov. 21, 2005, when the AFL announced the team would be called the Kansas City Brigade. The team then decided to model their team logo after the B-2. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Stephen Linch)

Representing a legacy of valor, Whiteman Honor Guardsmen represent the Air Force

Published April 30, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Stephen Linch
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- More than 54,000 courageous Airmen have made the ultimate sacrifice in battle while serving our nation, and still tens of thousands more bear the physical and emotional scars of our years of combat while maintaining a legacy of valor since the Air Force's inception.

Representing the undying valor and courage of those before them, Whiteman's Honor Guardsmen provide military honors to fallen Air Force active duty members, retirees and veterans along with performing retirement flag fold ceremonies and Presenting the Colors for on base and civilian events.

"I know what I do is important," Senior Airman Daryl Duenas, Whiteman Base Honor Guard said. "I know its important not because of the thanks I get from people who retire or the places where I go and Post the Colors; its from the faces of families who are thankful that honor guard was there to bury their loved one with the respect they earned and deserve."

Honor guard impacts the mission not by putting airplanes in the air or protecting the base, but by being the face of the Air Force, Airman Duenas said.

Two teams of 22 Whiteman Honor Guardmens from various Air Force Specialty Codes represent the Air Force in a variety of military and civilian ceremonies conducted throughout Missouri and Kansas.

The majority of base honor guard performances are funeral honors for Air Force retirees and veterans in Missouri and Kansas.

Base honor guard also performs everything from hometown events and local high schools up to the biggest major-league sporting events, Staff Sgt. Jeremy Timmermeyer, Whiteman Base Honor Guard said. Base honor guard has Presented the Colors for many large venues to include the Kansas City Royals baseball team, KC Wizards soccer team, KC Brigade arena football team and the KC Chiefs.

"This truly is a rewarding job," Sergeant Timmermeyer said. "There is a sense of making a difference in peoples' lives when you present a perfectly folded flag, recite a message of condolence and give a former member of the Air Force a final salute. We know that those families will never forget the sacrifice their loved one made for their country. We let the families know that their country will never forget their loved one and is truly grateful for their service and sacrifice."