Honor Guard performs retreat ceremony for retired Marine

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joe McFadden
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Four Hurlburt Field Honor Guard Airmen performed a retreat ceremony for a retired Marine on his last day at his residence in Navarre, Fla., Jan. 31.

Senior Airmen Michael Brooks, Steven McCormick and Mario Super and Airman 1st Class Lionel Delgado-Perez lowered, folded and presented the American flag to retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Jay DeGraw, before he moved into an assisted living community the following day.

"I felt honored that he asked us to come out and do it for him," Super said. "The Honor Guard is all about giving back to those who have served."

DeGraw, who retired in 1969 after fulfilling 26 years of service, saluted the flag at his house one last time in front of more than a dozen family, friends and fellow veterans.

"His neighbors said you could count on one hand all the days where he didn't raise and lower it," Brooks said. "He didn't have to do that. He could have left it out in the rain, but he chose not to. He was very dedicated."

For more questions about the base honor guard, call 884-1276.