149th FW Airman earns top honors Published July 11, 2010 By Master Sgt. Mike Smith National Guard Bureau WASHINGTON -- The Air National Guard recognized the accomplishments of its top honor guard members during its recent 2010 Outstanding Airmen of the Year celebration. Among the honorees was Master Sgt. Velia Mireles of the 149th Force Sustainment Services Flight as the Honor Guard Member of the Year. An honor guard's duties an include pall bearer, firing party, color team, the playing of Taps, flag folding and flag presentations, among others. Air Guard honor guard units at the states and territories provide those honors in their regions, often to support requests and tasks from the active duty Air Force. "I'm really proud to be a part of it," Sergeant Mireles said about her honor guard service. Sergeant Mireles works full time for the Headquarters Security Forces Center, where she supports operations for the military's working dog program. About nine years ago, she joined her team on Lackland Air Force Base and went through a week's worth of training on how to post colors, how to fold the flag and how to present the flag and other details, including the 21-gun salute. "I thought I would enjoy it, and I liked it," she said. She provided military funeral honors, presented the national flag at sporting events, and set up and presented the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action table. She has also volunteered for countless honor guard details at retirement ceremonies, base functions, flag presentations and changes of command. "It's one of the hats that I wear," she said. "I am also a mother, a student, and I work full time in the military." "For us to honor them makes the most sense in the world to me," said Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Muncy, Air National Guard command chief. "If you read the [accomplishments] that they submitted from across the nation - the amount of ceremonies and events that they have done are huge.