On Veterans Day, Forest Grove Native has Unique Assignment as Member of Elite Navy Honor Guard

by Dusty Good, Navy Office of Community Outreach

As the nation pauses to remember those who serve our country, a 2016 Forest Grove High School graduate and Forest Grove, Oregon native has special responsibilities serving with the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard in Washington D.C.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Alyssa Villalobos was selected to serve in the highly respected group operating out of Washington D.C.

“The best part about serving in the Ceremonial Guard would have to be being a part of the firing party, and rendering military honors for those who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country,”said Villalobos. “Nothing will ever top being out in Arlington and hearing taps play for the last and final time for those members, and it is one of the most humbling experiences I know I will ever encounter. The Ceremonial Guard is more then just a job to me, it is my family coming together to help lay to rest fallen heroes.”

Established in 1931, the United States Navy Ceremonial Guard is the official Ceremonial Unit of the U.S. Navy and is based at Naval District Washington Anacostia Annex.

Villalobos credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in their hometown of Forest grove.

“Some lessons I have taken from my hometown would have to be anything that you set your mind on you can achieve,”said Villalobos. “Even when coming from a smaller town, the options in life are endless and there will always be someone who believes in you. I am thank you for all that I endured while attending Forest Grove High School and being apart of that community. Because without it, I know I would not be where I am today. I am excited to visit home and see how far my own community has come as well.”

According to Navy officials, the Ceremonial Guard's primary mission is to represent the Navy in the Nation's Capital under the scrutiny of the highest-ranking officials of the United States and foreign nations, including royalty.

Sailors of the Ceremonial Guard are hand selected while they are attending boot camp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. Strict military order and discipline, combined with teamwork, allow the Ceremonial Guard to fulfill their responsibilities with pride and determination. They are experts in the art of close order drill, coordination, and timing.

The Ceremonial Guard is comprised of the drill team, color guard, casket bearers, and firing party.

Casket bearers carry the Navy's former service members to their resting ground in Arlington National Cemetery and other veteran cemeteries.

The firing party renders honors, such as a gun salute, the signature honor of military funerals, during every Navy Funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.

Villalobos and other sailors know they are part of a legacy honoring service and sacrifice of men and women on this historic occasion, while representing the Navy the nation needs.

Serving in the Navy, Villalobos is learning about leadership and responsibility, among many other skills required of military service.

“Serving in the Navy to me means growth at an exponential rate,” said Villalobos. “As I serve my country, my country serves me. I stand besides my brothers and sisters in arms to protect not only my family, but also those around us.”