On Veterans Day, Williamsburg 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 2006 home school graduate and Williamsburg, Virginia native has special responsibilities serving with the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard in Washington D.C.

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

“The best part about serving with the Ceremonial Guard is honoring our fallen brothers and sisters,” said Vaughan. “I also take pride in knowing my son is proud of me.”

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.

Vaughan credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in their hometown of Williamsburg.

“My hometown taught me that practice makes perfect and do it right the first time,” said Vaughan. “They are lessons that hold very true that have transferred over from my civilian life into the military.”

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.

Vaughan 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, Vaughan is learning about leadership and responsibility, among many other skills required of military service.

“Serving in the Navy means constantly pushing myself forward and being better than I was yesterday,” said Vaughan. “It means giving up my freedoms so my son and the ones I love can have a safer life.”