MN Law Enforcement Memorial Association's Honor Guard Camp at Camp Ripley
By Michele VanEmmerik
September 17 to 22, 2023, 23 MN DOC Honor Guard members representing 6 facilities attended the MN Law Enforcement Memorial Association's Honor Guard Camp at Camp Ripley. On the 18th the 80 total participants representing 24 agencies/facilities spent 3.5 hours either learning or honing their marching skill. Then ten teams were randomly formed by having the mass formation count off by eights to learn the 15-count manual of arms rifle drill. After less than 2 hours of learning and practice, team and individual competitions were held.
In the 15-count manual of arms Team competition, the 1st place team of included the following DOC members: CM Jeff Pogatchnik (SCL), Sgt Matt Hodgman (LL), Ofc Zina Siruk (OPH), Ofc Brandon Hanson (RW), Ofc Eric Matejcek (FRB). The 2nd place team included: Sgt Jason Ottman (FRB), Ofc Jessica Fedje (OPH), Ofc Sarah Sederberg (LL).
OFC Brandon Hanson (RW) took 2nd place out of the 80 competitors in the Individual 15-count manual of arms competition. The remainder of the day was spent at one of five training stations learning a specific aspect of a funeral detail: Colors Movement, Colors Posting/Retiring, Casket Movement, Casket Flag Fold, and Firing Party. The evening finished with all represented departments provided two personnel for the cornhole tournament.
Tuesday and Wednesday everyone rotated through the remaining four stations. They then attended a Caisson Team demonstration where MNDOC's own Corrections Investigation Assistant Director and LEMA Deputy Commander Mark Koderick was doing some training himself. The final class of the camp covered funeral planning, and was the only class where everyone got to sit down.
The final day consisted of everyone in full dress uniform for the Colors Formation and Parade from the barracks to the Chapel where graduation photos were taken prior to everyone taking a role in one of three simulated funerals. After the mock funerals were completed, unit and individual certificates were awarded before the final parade back to the barracks for the final formation and clean up.
Row 1: SGT Christine Henning (LL), OFC Zina Siruk (OPH), SGT Samantha Ness (RW), Ofc Nichole Kesgard (LL), SGT Nicole Hensley (LL), SGT Jason Koshiol (SCL), OFC Dale Gohman (SCL)
Row 2: OFC Brandon Hanson (RW), OFC Jessica Fedje (OPH), SGT Mikki Van Emmerik (OPH), OFC Rebecca Osland (FRB), SGT Jayson Singer (RW), SGT Nate Schreifels (SCL), OFC Claymore LeBeau (STW), SGT Matt Hodgman (LL)
Row 3: OFC Michael Diaz (STW), SGT Jason Ottman (FRB), OFC Eric Matejcek (FRB), CM Jeff Pogatchnik (SCL), OFC Zach Frank (SCL), OFC Sean Reed (FRB), SGT Shawn Harrington (OPH), OFC Jon Pyfferoen (OPH), Corrections Investigation Assistant Director Mark Koderick (LEMA Deputy Commander)
