Four members of the Honor Guard recently completed a pilot professional development course, which based its content and discussions entirely around a book entitled, “The Final Salute.”

Spearheaded by Ch. Capt. Kory Capps, the course walked through an Honor Guard’s role from beginning to end – from the moment a loved one loses their life downrange, through the grieving process and the burial.

With three major focal points, The Final Salute was divvied up into three class sessions held over the course of six weeks. Each two-hour class was designated for one subject matter. The history of military honors kicked off the course, followed by the impact of the Honor Guard on grieving families and lastly, the connection between the Honor Guard and professionalism.

“The Final Salute really gives you a ‘start to finish’ process on how the military strives to honor those who have served and those who have fallen,” Chaplain Capps said.

The pilot course enhanced the meaning behind Honor Guard for its participants, deepening the passion and awakening the severity and sensitivity of honoring those who have served and their loved ones. When you put yourself in the shoes of a grieving family member, who is it that you want looking you, looking your spouse, looking your child in the eyes as they hand over the perfectly folded, tri-cornered American flag? Pride, trust and honor is paramount – a weighty role during an incredibly intimate moment.

Senior Airman Britney Williams explained the course as one that reinvigorated her desire to serve and gave her a whole new appreciation for serving with the Honor Guard.

“The book is very powerful and very touching, because it shares a lot of personal experiences. Those stories are amazing and those people have endured much more than what I’ve experienced,” Williams described. “I appreciate it so much more and take ownership of what I do. I am able to honor those who have served and their loved ones, and that is something very, very special.”

Airman 1st Class Kasey Krumwiede emphasized the elements of military funeral ceremonies and the powerful impact that they have, both on the Guardsmen and the grieving families.

“We provide multiple honors for the families. Pallbearing is where we carry the casket of the deceased from the vehicle of transportation to the graveside; the folding of the flag over the casket into the triangle, and the firing party of the three volleys followed by the playing of Taps. All of these are special to the family whose impression of the military will be through this experience of their loved one’s funeral,” the Airman explained.

Beyond discovering the significance of their role as Guardsmen, the Airmen recognize the importance of integrating the professional development aspect into day-to-day life, as well as instilling it into the foundation of their careers. Through various channels of discussion and challenging perspectives, the Airmen have the freedom to share insight in calm and transparent environments. The setting of The Final Salute is the heart and soul of the Air Force, Capps added.

“It seems to bring that core to life and connects to all other areas of the Air Force,” he said. “These young Airmen are just starting in their careers, so if they can nail that fundamental value and know why they do what they do, it will really set them up well.”