Driving through the gates of Fort Myer, where honor guard training is a science, the red, white, and blue of America's flag is prominent. Red tulips are in full bloom by the entrance gates, rows of white headstones from Arlington National Cemetery can be seen from the road, and the blue Customs uniform dominates the company C practice grounds.

The nine Customs officers being trained here know the hard work it will take to be part of an elite group known as the Customs Honor Guard. The training they receive from the Military District of Washington's 3rd U.S. Infantry Division - The Old Guard - includes blisters and calluses as well as precision and pride.

The Los Angeles/Long Beach team is the sixth of seven Office of Field Operations (OFO) Honor Guard units to receive this training. The team sustains their professional facade with the rigid drilling techniques that are only acquired through training and practice.

"The 3rd U.S. Infantry was selected because of their prestigious history and honor. They maintain a 24-hour vigil at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and provide military funeral escorts at Arlington National Cemetery," says Brian Cahill, Field Operations Honor Guard Program Officer. "OFO teams travel to Fort Myer for five full days of intense instruction," he adds. "During this training the Customs Honor Guard members receive specialized instruction on the presentation of the colors, how to perform casket details, and are familiarized in firing parties."

"The training is top notch," says Supervisory Inspector Carl Cruz, as he looks at his team members wiping the sweat from their faces. A heat wave in Washington, D.C., which has brought the temperatures to record highs [90+], makes the training a bit more challenging. "There is more going on, during honors, than one would expect. We are being trained that a pull on the fabric of the flag or a subtle head or finger movement can bark out a command. It is very impressive."

"I've been to funerals of fellow officers where other services have performed the honors. I feel we need to give a bit of the [Customs] service back to the family." -Inspector David Tapia, Los Angeles/Long Beach Honor Guard member "It is an honor being in the Color Guard. As a team we show Customs in a very positive way. It means something very special to be a part of a team that shows the deepest respects for our fallen brothers and sisters." -Supervisory Inspector Jenny McCauslan

Members of the Customs Los Angeles/Long Beach Honor Guard receive flag folding training from the Military District of Washington’s 3rd U.S. Infantry Division-The Old Guard.

In July 2000, Customs established the National Honor Guard Program and with it national uniform and national training standards.

The Customs Honor Guard is available for funeral services (of fallen Customs officers, federal officers, and law enforcement officers in the line of duty, as well as Customs retirees) and special Customs events (annual awards ceremony, memorial services, formal receptions, and the NTEU vigil). To fulfill these requests Customs has one Office of Investigations (OI) team, comprised of 12 agents, and OFO has seven 10-member inspector teams. OI team is located in Washington, D.C., while OFOs teams are located in Burlington, Vt.; Miami, Fla.; Boston, Mass.; El Paso and Laredo, Tex.; New York, N.Y.; and Los Angeles, Calif.

It takes discipline and commitment to be a part of this elite group. Each inspector or agent must commit to serve three years in the honor guard detail. Each officer is handpicked and must adhere to strict grooming standards at all times. He or she must also be willing to travel on short notice. Other criteria used to choose these select few include familiarity with marching or drilling, knowledge of ceremonial procedures, and collateral duty experience.

To represent the "best of Customs" these inspectors and agents must maintain proficiency through practice and training. Through this training, commitment, and precision, the presentation of the flag at a fallen officers burial is not only reverent but awe-inspiring. It is not uncommon for a solemn hush to come over the crowd - commands snapped and motions precise - with pride looming in the air in anticipation of Customs Honor Guard making their way forward carrying the pride of America - our national flag.

Flag Day June 14 In August 1949, President Harry S. Truman proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day. Since then the President proclaims the commemoration yearly. Throughout the country all businesses and homeowners are encouraged to display the Stars and Stripes. The American flag, first called the Grand Union, was first flown at the headquarters of the Continental Army on January 1, 1776. The current flag uses 64 pieces of fabric: 50 white stars, representing the states of the Union, on a blue background, and 13 red and white alternating stripes, representing the original 13 states.