Photo: The Silver City Unit(ALBUQUERQUE, NM)-- Honor Guard Units from The Marine Corps League/Detachment 1328 in Silver City and the Upper Fruitland Veterans Association took top honors in the competition which highlighted the 2015 Honor Guard Conference on August 21 at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial in Albuquerque.

Photo: the Fruitland Unit

For the second year in a row, the Silver City unit took top honors in the "Large Unit" competition, while the Fruitland unit captured the top prize in the "Small Unit" competition-units which do not have a Rifle Volley unit.

Top "live" Bugler honors (for the rendition of Taps) went to Al Bourget of Albuquerque.

The annual conference is presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services and the New Mexico Department of Military Affairs/New Mexico National Guard to provide training and instruction for the state's 34 registered Honor Guard Units.

Honor Guard Units from Kirtland Air Force Base, the New Mexico Army National Guard, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy provided pre-competition demonstrations and instruction for the attending volunteer units.

These 34 all-volunteer units were established under the state's Military Honor Burials Program, which is supervised by the NMDVS and the Dept. of Military Affairs / National Guard to ensure that all deceased honorably-discharged veterans are buried with the honor and dignity provided by a military funeral. The units perform the ceremonial folding of the American Flag covering the casket at a funeral, the presentation of this flag to a family member-and in the cases of larger Honor Guard teams, a 21-Rifle Volley and a rendition of Taps by a bugler.

"I want to thank each and every one of you for not only attending today's conference, but also for what you do as an Honor Guard member," said New Mexico Department of Veterans Services Deputy Secretary Alan Martinez at the conclusion of the conference. "Your service ensures that our fallen veterans receive the 'Final Salute' which they have earned through their service to our country."

Representing the Marine Corps League/Detachment 1328 Honor Guard were: Ben Collins, George Morrison, Jeff Larkin, Frank Donohue, Don Spann, and John Sterle.

Representing the Upper Fruitland Veterans Association Honor Guard were: Ricky Willie, Larry Curtis, and Alvis Kee.

The NMDVS and Dept. of Military Affairs/National Guard ensures that all units undergo yearly training, are provided with bugles (if necessary), and a small travel stipend for each ceremony performed. The service is provided free of charge for any requesting family member of an honorably-discharged deceased veteran. For more information about the Military Honor Burials Program, contact Josetta Rodriguez at (505) 827-6356 or Josetta.rodriguez@state.nm.us.