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A Show of Strength: Sheriff's Honor Guard Earning Recognition
ANDRE L. TAYLOR
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Story last updated at 4:25 a.m. Saturday, November 10, 2007 While they wear stone faces and execute precise, choreographed movements and twirl rifles, the men and women of the Lubbock County Sheriff's Honor Guard frequently fight back tears. Despite feeling overcome with the emotion of honoring a fallen comrade, they don't flinch. "You know your presence shows the family strength, and that's important for them to see," said new squad leader Mary Veal. "It's not that we don't have emotion, we just don't want to show it." On Friday, the unit will have to be strong for thousands in attendance at the Lost Lawman Memorial dedication ceremony in Austin. The memorial honors deceased Texas peace officers - 35 officers will be added this year.  | | Jim Watkins / Staff | Lubbock County Sheriff's Office Color guard deputies, from left, Kathy Young, Billie Vanier, Robert Taylor, Mark Meyer, and Mary Veal, train for an upcoming appearance at the Lost Law Man Memorial in Austin, Texas. | | Order a print |
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Kelly Rowe, chief administrator for the sheriff's office and commander of the honor guard, said the unit has been receiving recognition for its work. He said after last year's ceremony, the unit was invited to perform in this year's activities. Rowe said the unit is responsible for escorting the families of the newest honored officers to the memorial wall, providing a gun salute and presenting the colors. "These guys practice generally once a month," Rowe said. "Our guys that do a lot of the rifle stuff do a lot more practicing." Two bugle players in the honor guard will echo each other's sounds in the playing of taps at the ceremony, Rowe said. Efforts are being made to secure bagpipe players for the ceremony as well, and if that doesn't work, Rowe said the honor guard has something else in store. "I know Sheriff David Guttierrez is singing the national anthem, and if we don't have the bagpipe players, he'll sing 'Amazing Grace' as well," Rowe said. The unit is spending more time practicing at the Reese Center in preparation for the ceremony. The officers who make up the unit believe it's an honor to stand before the families of fallen officers and pay their proper respects. For three years, Cpl. Dan Corbin has served in the honor guard. The chill that rushes through his body during a memorial service for a fallen officer gets ignored until the final family member is out of view. "It's tough for that final goodbye," Corbin said. "You get through the funeral then deal with your emotions." To comment on this story:
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