As the Honor Guard team reflected over the previous twelve months it became clear that 2010 was a year of transition and evolution.
Team members Steve Rowe and Jennifer Vaernhoej tendered their resignations from the team, allowing Officers Ed Centeno and Andrew Seibenborn to fill the retiring officers’positions. Team members Jason Leach and Jon Gannon attended the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association’s Honor Guard camp at Camp Riply, Minnesota. The four-day LEMA course is recognized as one of the top Honor Guard training experiences in the country.
The team was privileged to be asked to assist in presenting final honors for Police Department records employee Mary Boysen and retired Lieutenant Joe Koury. Team members also took part in the annual American Cancer Society’s “Walk for Life” event held at the Sioux Falls Pheasants stadium. For the celebration of Martin Luther King’s birthday the Honor Guard was invited to the Multi-Cultural Center to post the Colors at the start of the ceremony.
As has been tradition for the Honor Guard, several team members made the trip to Pierre in May to take part in the state’s celebration recognizing National Law Enforcement Memorial Day. We also assisted with the presentation of the “Spirit of Sioux” award during the state basketballs tournaments. And while team member Jason Fatone continues to serve the country’s war effort, Terry Matia returned from his military commitment at the end of 2010 and is back with the team.
With the addition of the two new team members, 2011 is going to be an exciting year. Our goal is to bring Officers Centeno and Seibenborn up to speed and then move the entire team to the next level of performance.
The entire team would like to thank team commander Captain Skip Miller, as well as Chief Barthel and Assistant Chief Lyon, for their continued support of the Honor Guard’s mission for the department.
