ARMY.MIL/THEOLDGUARD, The Official Homepage of The Old Guard

Honor Guard Company Newsletter

Friends and Family of Echo “Honor Guard” Company:

We have had some leadership turnover in the past quarter. 1SG Robert Durbin and MAJ James Stultz have come in as the Honor Guard Company 1SG and Commander as 1SG Fader and MAJ Swenddal have both departed to move on in their Army careers. CPT Mark Boyle, a familiar face in Echo Company as the 3rd Platoon Leader and XO will be leaving shortly to pursue a civilian career. We wish all our former Honor Guard leaders and Soldiers best of luck in their future endeavors.

On behalf of 1SG Durbin and myself, we are honored and excited to be a part of the team. The summer of 2011 is off to a sprint. As the lead service in the Joint Armed Forces Honor Guard, Echo company is always in the spotlight for major ceremonies and special events in the National Capital Region. We executed a Armed Forces Full Honors Arrival Ceremony at The White House for the Chancellor of Germany in June and then performed a ceremony in honor of GEN Dempsey’s swearing in as the new Chief of Staff of the Army. However, with the recent announcement of GEN Dempsey becoming the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and GEN Odierno being tapped as the next Chief of Staff of the Army and Secretary Gates and GEN Petraeus looking to retire soon, the ceremonies are just getting started!! We also have multiple senior governmental officials and heads of state from various countries coming to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier throughout the summer to lay wreaths which Honor Guard company will play an integral role. Also this summer we will relocate here on Fort Myer to a newly renovated barracks and company operating facility (COF). Although it is sometimes painful to move in the middle of the summer, I believe the updated rooms and offices will be a nice upgrade in living/working conditions from our current building.

Echo Company was recently awarded the best marching company of the quarter! The award was based on the performance of six companies graded during actual ceremonies. This is a great honor and as Honor Guard company was also recently awarded the best marching company of the year in 2010, it is a great recognition of the hard work in preparation, execution, and recovery that our Soldiers do every day! Again, both 1SG Durbin and I are honored and excited to be a part of the Echo Company team and look forward to a great year!

Honor Guard!!!

MAJ James Stultz
Commander		 1SG Robert Durbin
First Sergeant

Family Readiness Group

Hello The Old Guard family! My name is Rebecca Dorris and I am the proud wife of Staff Sargent Paul Dorris of the Honor Guard Company Presidential Casket Platoon. We have been married since 2005 and although I am new to the Army family I am no stranger to the military life. I have been a Marine Corp brat since the day I was born so I know all to well the sacrifices and struggles we as active duty family members face on a daily and long term basis. With the growth of our FRG (family readiness group) my goal is to assist you in the all to familiar issues that can arise while serving along side your active duty family member at this time. Whether you need an understanding ear or a helpful hand I hope you can feel free to call or email me with your questions or concerns. I look forward to meeting you all at future FRG meetings.

Thank you for your service and God Bless,
Rebecca Dorris
Cell: (480) 747-5107