Our honor guard charge Published Dec. 9, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Devin Carter Honor Guard superintendant F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- When I was told that I needed to write a piece on the base Honor Guard here at F.E. Warren, the honor guard charge quickly came to mind. To me, it embodies everything you need to know about what we do and who we are. Base Honor Guard Charge Handpicked to serve as a member of the F.E. Warren Air Force Base Honor Guard, my standards of conduct and level of professionalism must be above reproach, for I represent all others in my service. Although the base does not actually handpick its team members, those interested come to this team because they want to give back to those who have served. And with that, they also feel a sense of pride to be in the Air Force and want to be the face of the Air Force in their community. Others earned the right for me to wear the ceremonial uniform, one that is honored in a rich tradition and history. I will honor their memory by wearing it properly and proudly. This goes back to my first comment. Today, we honor those who fought in previous conflicts like World War II, Vietnam and current wars. We go out to local cemeteries and we lay to rest those warriors from years past that kept our country free ... this I say is the least we can do to honor our country's heroes. Never will I allow my performance to be dictated by the type of ceremony, severity of the temperature, or size of the crowd. I will remain superbly conditioned to perfect all movements throughout every drill and ceremony. Not only does this passage represent our core value in excellence in all we do, but it also speaks directly to that service before self value that we live by. Obligated by my oath I am constantly driven to excel by a deep devotion to duty and a strong sense of dedication. Current members are charged with memorizing this oath so that when and if their fortitude is ever challenged that they have these words to fall back on to help them persevere. Representing every member, past and present, of the United States Air Force, I vow to stand sharp, crisp, and motionless, for I am a Ceremonial Guardsman. No other word best describes this passage than PRIDE. Pride in our country, pride in our way of life, pride in carrying on a tradition that lived long before Sept 18, 1947. The pride that exists in each and everyone of us, which is here I stand a United States citizen in the service of her defense. A Guardsman's final words to a Hero's next of kin On behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force, and a grateful Nation, we offer our nation's flag for the faithful and honorable service of your loved one. (Editor's note:) The Base Honor Guard Charge is taken from the AFD-080310-041 2008 Base Honor Guard Training Manual, as well as the "Guardsman's final words to the next of kin."