Razzle Dazzle

One of the most common services provided by the Saline County Composite Squadron’s cadets is the rendering of colors. Civil Air Patrol color guards are a regular site not only at community parades, but also events like the annual NAACP banquet, Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast, the Veterans Day breakfast and the Memorial Day service on the Marshall square.

The presentation of flags is, of course, the most important part of the color guard’s duty. However, handling the rifles is the part that usually requires the most practice.

New members of the color guard must learn a host of verbal commands that correspond to specific movements for both their bodies and the ceremonial rifles. It can be a lot trickier than it looks to the casual observer.

In order to keep the color guard looking sharp, cadets take time to regularly practice. They will next be on duty Thursday, May 2 at the International Day of Prayer breakfast at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Marshall.

See more photos from this exercise here.