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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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To honor with dignity: Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station Honor Guard is formed.

  • Published
  • By MSgt. Jon Saunders
  • 914 SVS
NIAGARA FALLS ARS, N.Y. - --  Honor, honesty, fairness, and integrity.  These are big words that are not taken lightly by the members of the Niagara Falls Honor Guard. The Air Force Reserve Command has established a new Active Guard Reserve (AGR) position here at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station to deal with the growing number of deceased Air Force veterans in Western New York. The Greatest Generation WW II veterans are now passing on at an accelerating rate, as are veterans of the Korean and Vietnam conflict.  In response to these deaths, Congress passed a law mandating that all deceased military members be eligible to receive military honors at their funerals. The Niagara Falls Honor Guard is ready to insure that these honors are provided with dignity and precision.

The Niagara Falls Honor Guard will be made up of One AGR, two members on continuous MPA orders, and thirty additional members performing a minimum of two days a month from the 914th Airlift Wing and the 107th Air Refueling Wing.  Master Sgt. Jon Saunders, the AGR chosen to build the team, has said, "I am amazed at the willingness to serve that Niagara Falls ARS has shown.  I have only been here for five months, and already have 20 members who have gone through the five-day training class performing funerals and colors details. Both the 914th AW and the 107th ARW have members committed to serve our fallen comrades and local community." 

The 914th AW is working with McGuire AFB to establish a local Area of Responsibility, so that personnel from McGuire do not have to drive eight hours to Niagara Falls to perform military funeral honors.  In addition to the funeral honors, the Niagara Falls Honor Guard will perform numerous colors details both on-base and in the local community. "The Honor Guard members are always ambassadors for the U.S. Air Force.  Many people have very little exposure to the military and it is our job to give the right impression," says Master Sgt. Saunders. 

If you have any questions or are interested in joining, please contact the Niagara Falls Honor Guard Superintendent, Master Sgt. Jon Saunders at 716-236-3182 or via e-mail at jon.saunders@us.af.mil.