Wright-Patt Honor Guard performs at Columbus Crew game

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Robert Nelson
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard, including three reservists from the 445th Airlift Wing and one member of the Springfield Air National Guard, headed out for the final detail of the day at Columbus Crew Stadium supporting the Columbus Crew major league soccer team, based in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 13.

"Military honor guards have supported the Crew sine the club's and major league soccer's inaugural 1996 season," said Arica Kress, Columbus Crew's director of marketing and promotions.

Senior Master Sgt. Michael Bailey, Tech. Sgt. Jimmy Montalvo, and Senior Airman Michael Young are reservists from the 445th Airlift Wing serving in the 87th Aerial Port Squadron and 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron. Staff Sgt. Derick Lemmon is a guardsman from the 269th a communications squadron, Springfield, Ohio. They are all handpicked volunteers who are selected for the Wright-Patt Honor Guard. These Airmen work hand in hand with their active duty counterparts.

For Montalvo, Lemmon, and Young, this was their third detail. For all four, it was a late working day, or business as usual for the honor guard. Their presence was full of professionalism, confidence, and dedication to service.

"The Crew has worked with military honor guards both to honor the men and women that serve this country and because they enhance our game day experience," Kress said. "Fans recognize and respect the legitimacy of honor guards to display the colors in the most polished, professional and appropriate manner," Kress added.

According to Bailey, the Wright-Patt Honor Guard preformed nearly 2,300 details last year, with close to 400 events similar to the one they performed at the Crew Stadium that day. Bailey added that honor guard members who are from the 445th actively participate and coordinate in more than 65 percent of all the annual honor guard details.

"We routinely reach out to the community offering our services. Now they call us," Bailey said.

445th members have performed honor guard details for the Dayton Dragons, the Cleveland Cavilers, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cincinnati Reds, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Columbus Crew, just to name a few.

"We have a military honor guard every game. The Columbus Crew is proud to support all branches of military service and are honored to have them participate in our pregame ceremonies each game, Kress said.

Besides large venues, the honor guard can perform at retirements for 445th reservists, if a request is made. "If someone puts in 20 years, the least (the Honor Guard) we can do is show up for them," Bailey said. "It would be an honor to perform at their service."