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New USAF Honor Guard Parade Element debuts in W. Va.

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Susan Moreno
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
BUCKHANNON, W. Va. --  More than 30 U.S. Air Force Honor Guard ceremonial guardsmen came together May 15 to give the newly-created parade element's first performance for the Buckhannon Strawberry Festival Parade in Buckhannon, W. Va.

The parade element marched before a crowd of about 100,000 spectators, with an estimated 450,000 viewers watching the event via broadcast media.

"Our mission is to represent Airmen to the American public and the world, and the parade element gives us another avenue to ensure a legacy of Airmen who promote the mission, protect our standards, perfect our image and preserve our heritage," said Maj. Tyson Willis, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard director of operations. "That's how you represent Airmen--that's how you represent the Air Force."

The crowd stood up, clapped and cheered as the Honor Guard flight marched the two-mile parade route. The flight was situated between a bald eagle float in front, featuring the flags of all five services and playing patriotic songs such as 'Yankee Doodle' and 'America the Beautiful,' and a Humvee driven by U.S. Army soldiers behind the flight.

The event also featured craft exhibits, car shows, musical performances, a pageant, a carnival and other attractions.

"If I were to put the flight's performance into one word, I would simply say 'unbelievable," said Major Willis. "It was a very proud moment for me."

Details about future U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Parade Element performances will be released as they become available on the Honor Guard's website at: http://www.honorguard.af.mil.