Ellsworth Honor guard executes new funeral sequence

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kimberly Moore Limrick
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Honor guards Air Force-wide decreased the number of members required to perform retiree funeral honors from 10 to seven as of Nov. 1.

"We assessed funeral details in all categories and determined those for retirees can be reduced to a seven-person detail to provide manning relief, while still providing all elements of the 10-person detail," said Arthur Myers, Air Force Services director in a Sept. 20 memorandum.

Ellsworth's honor guard executed their first seven-person funeral detail on Nov. 1.

"I believe the Air Force has found a way to reduce the manning and the workload on the base Honor Guards, at the same time we still provide honors in the same dignified manner, said Staff Sgt. Ruben TrejoSanchez 28th Bomb Wing Honor Guard noncommissioned officer in charge. "We performed our very first seven-person sequence [Nov. 1] and the next of kin is quoted [in a thank-you email] as saying, 'You all did an outstanding and professional service.'

To me that is a testament that we will continue to provide these honors the way they are supposed to be rendered, with the utmost dignity and respect, he said."

While honors are still rendered comparably, some differences in the details may be noticed.

"The most obvious difference is the number of participants," Staff Sgt. TrejoSanchez said. "Secondly, the firing party was reduced from seven to three people. The bugler and the officer in charge or NCO in charge were incorporated into the pall bearing sequence."

Many questions have been raised regarding the firing party change.

Previously, the firing party consisted of seven members firing three rounds each. This was mistakenly referred to by many as a 21-gun salute.

"The Air Force does not and has not ever performed a 21-gun salute," Staff Sgt. TrejoSanchez said. "This form of honors is reserved for the president, past presidents and visiting foreign heads of state. This salute is performed by the Army and executed by firing Howitzer cannons 21 separate times."

Sergeant TrejoSanchez continued, "Our tradition of firing three volleys can be traced back to the Civil War when opposing sides would mutually agree to cease fire to clear the dead from the battle field. Three distinct volleys would then be fired into the air to signify the field was clear of their wounded and dead. After the three volley exchange, re-engagement of hostilities would commence."

Now, the less-than-half sized firing party conclude the new funeral sequence.

The new sequence relieves a great deal of workload on all Air Force honor guards but is
especially welcomed here where Ellsworth's honor guard is all-volunteer.

By not utilizing the quota system here, we ensure that the members performing these funerals are the best of the best on base, Sergeant TrejoSanchez said.

"We [the 28th Bomb Wing Honor Guard] are fortunate to have outstanding support from the wing," Sergeant TrejoSanchez said. "I'd like to thank each and every supervisor, first sergeant and commander for allowing their Airmen to volunteer for such an outstanding program. It is definitely a reflection of their character and their professionalism,"

Without their support the mission of the 28th Bomb Wing Honor Guard would not be a success. The families of our veterans are deeply grateful for the honors provided and it makes us extremely proud to be there to provide them."

For more information about or to join Ellsworth's Honor Guard call Sergeant TrejoSanchez at 385-1186.