Story by Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Navy Office of Community Outreach) - As the nation pauses this Memorial Day to remember fallen service members, a native of Papillion, Nebraska, has special responsibilities honoring fallen comrades in the nation’s capital with the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.

“I'm a member of the firing party,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Katherine Evanoff, who joined the Navy two years ago. "We do 21 Gun Salutes and cannons at Arlington National Cemetery."

Established in 1931, the United States Navy Ceremonial Guard is the official Ceremonial Unit of the U.S. Navy and is based at Naval District Washington Anacostia Annex in Washington, D.C.

According to Navy officials, the Ceremonial Guard's primary mission is to represent the Navy in Presidential, Joint Armed Forces, Navy and public ceremonies under the scrutiny of the highest-ranking officials of the United States and foreign nations, including royalty.

Sailors of the Ceremonial Guard are hand selected while they are attending boot camp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. Strict military order and discipline, combined with teamwork, allow the Ceremonial Guard to fulfill their responsibilities with pride and determination. They are experts in the art of close order drill, coordination and timing.

Growing up in Papillion, Evanoff attended Papillion La-Vista South High School and graduated in 2020. Today, Evanoff uses skills and values similar to those learned in Papillion.

“I learned from my hometown that being assertive will get you far,” said Evanoff. "It's important to be mentally tough regardless of the situation."

These lessons continue to help Evanoff while serving in the military.

The Ceremonial Guard is comprised of the drill team, color guard, casket bearers and firing party.

Casket bearers carry the Navy's past service members to their resting ground. Whether it is in Arlington National Cemetery, or another veteran's cemetery. The firing party renders the 21 Gun Salute, the signature honor of military funerals, during every Navy Funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.

Serving in the Navy means Evanoff is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy is important to help support national security missions,” said Evanoff.

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

Evanoff and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I'm proud of the opportunity I had to support the funeral of a Navy SEAL founder earlier this year at the Naval Academy,” said Evanoff. "I shot the 21-gun salute to honor his service."

As Evanoff and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy is a family tradition,” added Evanoff. " My dad, grandpa, uncle and both my brothers all served in the military. I not only wanted to follow my family footsteps, I also wanted to establish a career of my own."

Story by Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach; Original story below: