ALBUQUERQUE-- New Mexico’s Honor Guards are encouraged to attend the 2021 Honor Guard Training Conference on September 30 at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial, located at 1100 Louisiana Boulevard SE in Albuquerque. Registration begins at 7:45am, with the conference beginning at 9am. Please arrive as early as possible for registration.

Face masks will be required to be worn by all attendees.

Honor guards are all-volunteer units that perform the flag-fold, rifle volley, and a bugle rendition of Taps at the funerals of military personnel or honorably discharged veterans. The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (DVS), the New Mexico National Guard, and AARP New Mexico presents this annual conference as a learning and training opportunity for volunteer honor guards. Instruction and coaching will be provided by the New Mexico Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Individuals or groups interested in forming an all-volunteer honor guard are also encouraged to attend to obtain information and to register with DVS.

A free catered lunch will be provided courtesy of AARP-New Mexico. The highlight of the conference is the two-tiered performance competition between large and small-size honor guards. For more information, contact Deanna Anaya at Deanna.anaya2@state.nm.usor (505) 827-6356.