Sailor serves on elite Navy honor guard

On Memorial Day, he was to be a key member participating in a parade in the nation’s capital.

An Amherst native is serving the country with special duties on Memorial Day as a member of an elite United States Navy Ceremonial Guard in Washington, D.C.

According to a news release from Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs:

Fireman Austin Reid, a hull technician, was hand selected while attending boot camp to serve in the Navy Ceremonial Guard.

A 2015 graduate of Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst, Reid performs at Arlington National Cemetery and Navy funerals as a casket bearer for fallen service members three or four days a week.

On Memorial Day, he was to be a key member participating in a parade in the nation’s capital.

Established in 1931, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard’s primary mission is to represent the Navy during Presidential, Joint Armed Forces, Navy and public ceremonies in the nation’s capital.

The Ceremonial Guard includes a drill team, color guard, casket bearers and firing party.

They serve under scrutiny of the highest ranking officials in the world.

“It is an extreme honor to pay respect to our fallen heroes,” Reid said, according to a news release.

Reid is the son of John Reid, Amherst, and Theresa Reid, Lorain.

Sailor Austin Reid