 Living
Members of the Rhode Island National Guard's Funeral Honors Detachment speak these words on a daily basis. These dedicated men and women, ensure that the last farewell to their comrades in arms, is carried out with as much professionalism and dignity as is possible. In order to ensure that each member of the Honors Detachment is properly trained to correctly carry out their duties, members of the detachment are sent to Camp Robinson, Arkansas, to attend the "Professional Education Center" (PEC). Here they are taught all the necessary skills that they will be required to perform at a military funeral. Their classes include Drill and Ceremony, the Manual of Arms, Weapons Training, the proper folding and presentation of the flag and one of the most important aspects of their training - the proper wearing of their uniform. The Funeral Honors Detail usually consists of seven members. These individuals must ensure that their uniforms are worn in accordance with military regulations and must be worn with professionalism and pride. Upon graduating from the "Professional Education Center", each individual is also certified to be an instructor and a facilitator. This ensures that all new members of the detachment will be trained in the highest professional manner possible. On Friday, January 23, 2009, the newest members of the Rhode Island National Guard's Funeral Honors Detachment were presented with their course completion certificates and a hearty well done from the State Command Sgt. Major, John McDonough. IV and CMSgt Lori P. Casucci. Also present at the ceremony were CW3 Paul Rao, Program Manager, Mr. Howard Jackson, Civilian Co-coordinator and CMSGT John Angellini, Field NCOIC. These soldiers and airmen went through forty hours of very intense training and the smiles on their faces revealed the gladness and relief they felt upon completing the course. Their instructors were firm and relentless, as they trained their pupils to execute every movement of the ceremony without hesitation or error. The senior instructors were Specialist Rudy Bohorguez and SGT John Young, The professionalism and confidence they had installed in their trainees was proof of the great job they had completed. As with the military itself, our armed forces' last farewell to comrades is steeped in custom and ceremony. The members of the Funeral Honors Detachment are tasked with ensuring that all Funeral Honors Ceremonies are conducted with professionalism and dignity. The training that these men and women receive ensure that no veteran will ever be deprived of this honor and that their legacy will be remembered by all who attended their memorial service. ADDITIONAL PHOTO:
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