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Color guards honor the flag

  • Published
  • By Color guards honor the flag
  • 103rd Public Affairs Detachment
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Military units have carried flags or standards since armies were first formed; Japanese samurai and even Native American 'dog soldiers' carried banners that their units rallied around during battle. Flags and unit guidons play a central role in ceremonies, but the Soldiers that carry them often go unnoticed.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Scott Arispe, a financial manager with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 72nd Field Artillery Brigade and a native of Boston, carried the United States flag during a change-of-responsibility ceremony Jan. 9 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. It was the third time he'd led a color guard in the last year.

Arispe said he enjoys being involved in the color guard. "It's based on the Army Values; I'm a true believer in that. I make it a point to know the policies and procedures, and do things right. And I love doing it, even if it's nineteen degrees out.

"It's just selfless service. I see it as an honor to represent the brigade in a positive light," Arispe continued.

Army Sgt. Melissa Wong, who serves with Operation Warrior Trainer and is a part of the 222nd Chemical Company, an Army National Guard unit from Brooklyn, N.Y., was on a color guard for the first time at the ceremony.

"It was interesting and very fun," said Wong. "I'd never done it before, and it was pretty cool, marching with a weapon. It was a good experience and I'd do it again - especially when the weather is a little warmer," she said, laughing.

Army Staff Sgt. April Cashdollar, a native of Hampton Township, Penn., who serves as a host- nation police operations support trainer with the 2nd Training Support Battalion, 312th Regiment, 72nd FA Brigade, has served on the color guard before with Arispe.

"The first sergeant asked if I would be willing to do this one, and I said yes, and I enjoyed it, despite the cold." said Cashdollar. "I definitely consider it an honor to be picked," she said.

Serving on such details is something that builds Soldiers, Arispe said; in addition to his regular duties, he is often involved with color guards, funeral details, and preparing troops for promotion and other boards. "It helps develop them so that when I leave, they will carry the torch," he said. "I absolutely recommend it to other Soldiers; it brings us back to what the Army is about. Unit recognition and ceremonies are why we have the color guard, and it brings everything together. It's what we're here for, and it's a great experience to go with the usual soldiering."