Honor Guard strives to leave lasting impression/Louisiana National Guardsman is first in state to graduate Honor Guard course

Photo By Spc. Qualan M. Jefferson | Sgt. Michael A. Huff (left) and Sgt. Jesse G. Kennedy (right) remove the American flag from the casket of a veteran during Military Funeral Honors. The flag is then folded by the team and given to the next of kin as an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by their loved one. Huff is the first certified Honor Guard trainer in the state of Louisiana.  

UNITED STATES

10.21.2008

Story by Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang 

Louisiana National Guard

By Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang
Louisiana National Guard

ALEXANDRIA, La. – His look is piercing. His movements are sharp. His skills are among the best. He wears a unique patch on his left shoulder that identifies him as the first National Guard Soldier in the state of Louisiana certified to train others to meet the high standards embodied by a member of the Military Funeral Honors Program.

"It's important that we look our absolute best. For some people, you are the first military impression ... and for some you are the last," said Sgt. Michael A. Huff, the first Louisiana Guardsman to complete the Honor Guard course.

The Shreveport, La., native graduated from the Honor Guard Train the Trainer Course at Camp Robinson, Ark., where his instructors were members of "The Old Guard." Trained by the best, Huff is now a team leader for the Shreveport area Military Funeral Honors Program. With its demand for excellence and precision, the program represents the epitome of perfection as Soldiers exemplify Army traditions and standards.

"The course was both physically and mentally demanding, but the Honor Guard is what a Soldier should be, and our deceased veterans have earned the right for us to be at our best. It's my job to make sure they get the respect they deserve," Huff said.

Huff now trains the Honor Guard teams at various locations around the state. "It is a challenge to take Soldiers who have never done this and get them ready to look their best for a funeral or ceremony," he said.

Though the team is made up of volunteers, only those who are highly-motivated and maintain exceptionally high standards of appearance and conduct are considered to be a member of the Honor Guard.

Huff, who is also a mortar platoon squad leader for B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, said he was looking for a full-time job when his readiness non-commissioned officer presented the Honor Guard idea to him.

The Military Honors program through the Louisiana Army National Guard started in December of 2007 with Command Sgt. Maj. Steven R. Stuckey as the state coordinator and they immediately began looking for good candidates.

"Being part of the Military Funeral Honors program is the most important and demanding mission I have had during my 10 years in service," said Stuckey, who is also a former Marine. "It is also the biggest honor."

Huff explained that prior to a funeral he must mentally prepare and focus on the mission at hand. "I am going over everything in my mind. I am going over movements and making sure that I am ready to represent and show that Soldier and his family the respect they deserve."

"The hardest part of this job is knowing that when you go to a funeral people are going to be upset and they are going to cry. But we must remain professional at all times," said Huff. "I have lost friends in combat and understand how difficult death is to a family, but if I don't find a way to focus and detach, I can't give them the funeral that they deserve ... I can't afford to get emotional then."

Huff said that he tries to incorporate the importance of professionalism into the Honor Guards he trains as well. "It can be hard ... especially when it's someone we know, but we have to be in that focused mental mind frame before any funeral."

"I've been to five funerals since Command Sgt. Maj. Stuckey started this program. On short notice, the Honor Guards have come together and formed a good team," said Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth R. Wagner, the senior enlisted advisor for the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Their execution is extremely well done and very professional."

"I am proud to have someone as trained and proficient as Sgt. Huff is in the Military Funeral Honors Program," said Stuckey.

"I am proud of my team and what they represent," said Stuckey. "Most people do not understand what they give up. These guys have to be ready at any time. Some of them have families at home and have civilian jobs, but at a moments notice, with their uniforms maintained to perfection, they are ready to drop their plans and give our veterans the respectful funeral they deserve."

Stuckey said that most families of veterans do not know that the benefit of a military funeral is available to all veterans. Family members should request a military funeral through their funeral home director; otherwise the funeral home will not know the deceased was a veteran and will not make arrangements accordingly.

Stucky also noted that since the program was started through the Louisiana National Guard in 2007, the four teams in eight regions have conducted about 225 funerals.

"It's a benefit that everyone who has served in the military is entitled to, whether they were honorably discharged or retired. It's an honor for us to be able to give them respect as a comrade, and we want the opportunity to do it," Huff said.

Huff said that even though he originally joined the Guard to pay for school, and earned an associates degree in biology, he does not planning on getting out any time soon, but plans on making a career as an Honor Guard.

"I achieved my goal of earning that degree, and that is a great feeling, but I am very proud of my service. I feel like I am supposed to be in the military, and I love what I do," said Huff.

• Date Taken: 10.21.2008
• Date Posted: 10.21.2008 18:03
• Story ID: 25354
• Location: US