JAC Joint Honor Guard Present Colors In Front of a Sold Out Crowd at Wembley Stadium in London

  • Published
  • By Melony C. Angelilli, Commander's Action Group
  • JIOCEUR Analytic Center
Royal Air Force Molesworth England --  Royal Air Force Molesworth Joint Service Honor Guard along with their British counterparts presented the Colors of both nations on Sunday during the National Football League game played at Wembley Stadium.

Air Force Senior Airman Manuel Minjarez coordinated for months with the NFL and Live Nation, the firm in charge of the entertainment to ensure a flawless presentation. "It was worth every bit of time spent working with these two organizations to have the privilege of presenting our nations Colors in front of almost 90,000 international fans" said Minjarez.

He continued, "Although all my work is done behind the scenes and off camera, the most important reward I receive is to see the sheer excitement on the faces of both Honor Guard teams when carrying their nation's flags together for everyone to see. That is my job."

Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Gray, Air Force Senior Airman Roy Davis, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class DeMitra Pittman, and Army Sgt. Derick Pierce met their British counterparts Royal Marine David Jones, Royal Air Force Rodi Murgitroyd, Able Seaman Richard Tomes and Army Lance Bombardier Steve Trayner for the first time a few hours before the game.

The group practiced and traded stories about the similarities and differences of each nation's services. They also explained the significance of their medals and talked about deployments every member of the two groups has endured.

American pop singer, Toni Braxton, sang the Star Spangled Banner and Welsh star, Katherine Jenkins, sang the British National Anthem while the JAC Joint Honor Guard and the British Joint Color Guard presented the Colors.

After the presentation of the Colors the teams were able to move to the stands and enjoy the game. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity" said Pittman. "I can't wait to tell my family and friends back home all about it."

The JAC Joint Honor Guard members gladly volunteer their time to present the Colors at various functions and events throughout the year. Next month they will be at the American Cemetery at Madingley for a ceremony honoring our nation's veterans on Veteran's Day.