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Pa. Honor Guard spotlighted presenting flag during DNC

By Master Sgt. Chris Botzum, 111th Attack Wing / Published August 05, 2016

Before thousands of conventioneers at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. July 27, 2016, a dip of the Pennsylvania state flag from the blended service Pennsylvania National Guard Honor Guard detail signals onlookers to recite a heart-felt Pledge of Allegiance. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Chris Botzum)
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Before thousands of conventioneers at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. July 27, 2016, a dip of the Pennsylvania state flag from the blended service Pennsylvania National Guard Honor Guard detail signals onlookers to recite a heart-felt Pledge of Allegiance. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Chris Botzum)

Army Staff Sgt. Codie McCall, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1-111th Infantry, Headquarters human resource NCO (left), Senior Airman Jason Thomas, 111th Security Forces Squadron, Security Force Technician, center, Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Spera, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Battalion, HQ Company, 111th Infantry, recon team leader, back left and Senior Master Sgt. John Heidrick, 201st RED HORSE Det. 1, logistics chief stand ready on the ramp to take the stage to present the colors at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. July 27, 2016 (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Chris Botzum)
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Army Staff Sgt. Codie McCall, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1-111th Infantry, Headquarters human resource NCO (left), Senior Airman Jason Thomas, 111th Security Forces Squadron, Security Force Technician, center, Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Spera, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Battalion, HQ Company, 111th Infantry, recon team leader, back left and Senior Master Sgt. John Heidrick, 201st RED HORSE Det. 1, logistics chief stand ready on the ramp to take the stage to present the colors at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. July 27, 2016 (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Chris Botzum)

Await their debut at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. July 27, 2016, the black and blue dress uniforms of the Pennsylvania National Guard Honor Guard detail stand ready to present the colors before thousands of conventioneers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Chris Botzum)
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Await their debut at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa. July 27, 2016, the black and blue dress uniforms of the Pennsylvania National Guard Honor Guard detail stand ready to present the colors before thousands of conventioneers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Chris Botzum)

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HORSHAM AIR GUARD STATION, Pa. -- A Pennsylvania National Guard Honor Guard team seized the spotlight as they presented the colors during Day Three of the Democratic National Convention held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 27, 2016.

The blended team of four featured not only Army and Air National Guardsmen from the metro Philadelphia area, but a melded experience levels in the art and traditions associated with the presenting of the colors ceremony.

"My experience was great," said Army Staff Sgt. Codie McCall, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1-111th Infantry, Headquarters human resource NCO, after practicing the precision facing movements an estimated 30 times prior to the event. "It was the first time I had worked with the Air Force in a color detail. We put on our uniforms, took to the staging ramp and were done before you knew it.

"I was greatly honored to be part of this detail today. I would love to continue with this [joint color guard]. We're a great team together," McCall added.

"The day ran really smoothly," Senior Airman Jason Thomas, 111th Security Forces Squadron, security force technician, a five year honor guard member. "Even though the Army Guard members were new to the ceremony, they knew the movements inside and out. Presenting the colors for our country was very exciting and we were honored to do it.

"There could be no better feeling than being a part of this, right here in the birthplace of America...There [are] no words to describe the emotional attachment I have for the city and being a part of the military," Thomas said in closing.