You may have seen the Sunstar Honor Guard at parades or sporting events around Tampa Bay, marching in unison with their rifles and flags, the silver buttons on their uniforms shining in the Florida sun. Or you may have seen them on a serious occasion, as they present the American flag to honor a fallen hero. Honor Guard members go above and beyond their regular duties to serve our community with dignity and respect.
Sunstar’s Honor Guard trains twice a month to perfect its marching, rifle handling, and flag bearing skills. Because of the sensitive nature of the Honor Guard’s duties at funerals, members must also train in the proper way to escort a hero’s family members, approach a casket, and fold the flag that is presented to the family. All of this training is in addition to guard members’ regular duties as lifesaving paramedics and EMTs.
Pride goes along with serving in the Honor Guard, explains paramedic and guard member Christopher Johnson.
“It’s pretty exciting to represent Sunstar in front of all those people” at a parade or Tampa Bay Rays game, he says.
At the same time, guard members’ more somber duties can exact an emotional toll. Johnson says that he and his fellow Honor Guard members handle the difficult times by keeping in mind, “You’re not there for you. You’re there to represent the company, or you’re there to honor someone who has passed. It’s not really about you, and in that case, you just have to push on.”
The next time you see the Sunstar Honor Guard, let them know you appreciate their service to our community.
