(SANTA FE, NM)-For the third straight year, American Legion Post #49 from Albuquerque was judged the winner in the “Large Unit” classification in the competition portion at the Fourth Annual Honor Guard Training Conference presented by the New Mexico National Guard and the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services (NMDVS) at the Santa Fe National Guard Armory on August 26th.

The El Perro Diablo team representing the Las Cruces Marine Corps League was judged the winner of the “Small Unit” class (three-person).

David Vigil from the United States Volunteers of America in Albuquerque defended his crown as the top Bugler for his rendition of Taps during the Bugler competition.

Representatives from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, the New Mexico National Guard and the NMDVS judged the units on their uniforms, Flag-folding, and overall execution as Honor Guard Units from throughout New Mexico performed a Military Honors Funeral Service--using a real American Flag draped over an imitation casket. Many units also brought along their Volley (21-Gun Salute) attachments.

“I was very impressed with what I saw in the competition,” said NMDVS Cabinet Secretary Timothy Hale.  “Every team performed with precision and professionalism. And those which didn’t compete this year received some valuable training—and hopefully, some inspiration to come out next year and beat the champions.”

All Honor Guard teams are made up of volunteers and are affiliated with various veterans’ service organizations throughout the state. First time attendees at this year conference were: The American Legion Post #69 from Albuquerque, Women Veterans of New Mexico, American Legion Post #23 from Cuba, VFW Post #1131 from Mora, VFW Post #1793 from Raton, the Military Order of the Purple Heart from Roswell, American Legion Post #18 from Silver City, and VFW Post #3259 from Taos.

Before the competition, the Honor Guard Teams observed uniformed teams from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps perform the Funeral Ceremony. The teams also asked questions and received some helpful tips from the service teams.

The Training Conference is part of the NMDVS-supported Military Honors Burial Program to ensure that all honorably-discharged deceased veterans receive a full military burial. The Honor Guard Teams to perform the ceremonial duties of presenting the flag used to cover caskets to family members, the playing of “Taps” by a bugler, and providing a 21-gun salute at all funerals of fallen military veterans and active-duty personnel.  The teams receive a small stipend from the NMDVS for each ceremony performed.

The state’s 30 registered Honor Guard Units are asked to perform at an average of 800 veterans’ funerals a year at the National Cemeteries in Santa Fe and Ft. Bayard, and at private cemeteries statewide.  The families of all honorably-discharged veterans are eligible for a full-military honors funeral and can arrange for this by contacting the NMDVS.

The Albuquerque American Legion Post #49 captured the top spot in the “Large Group” category. In this photo, Elwood Alexanderson presents the folded flag used in the ceremony to the judges.

Raymundo Rivera III (left) and Jeronomo del Bosque of the El Perro Diablo/Marine Corps League of Las Cruces Honor Guard Team took the top honors competing in the “Small Group” category.

David Vigil, from the United States Volunteers/Albuquerque Honor Guard Team, was judged as the top Bugler.