Prior to the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security, many of CBP's former agencies had their own ceremonial honor guards. In New York, however, they have taken the theme of "one team" to heart, and merged the ceremonial groups to form the new CBP New York Ceremonial Honor Guard. The group works together to produce a perfectly synchronized performance, living proof that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

The 16 members of the combined Honor Guard gained their experience serving in different branches of the military: Army, Navy, Air Force and the Marine Corps. In addition, the Military District of Washington's 3rd U.S. Infantry Division, which is known as the Old Guard, has trained many members of the team.

Coordinators of the New York Ceremonial Honor Guard make sure that the group practices regularly to maintain a high level of excellence-eight hours a month at various sites in the New York area. The coordinators, who pull double duty to keep the group in tip-top shape, include Supervisory Customs Inspector Sikes Reese, Supervisory Customs Inspector Joseph Mannucci, Assistant Port Director Thomas Spellman, and Assistant Port Director Jeffrey Carr.

The honor guard, which still wears the traditional uniforms, represents DHS and CBP in a variety of ceremonial events: funeral services, memorial services, awards ceremonies, dedications, receptions and other special events. The New York Ceremonial Honor Guard, like CBP, stands united in tribute to the nation we serve.