INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An hour before the start of Crown Hill Cemetery’s Memorial Day service, five members of the National Guard gathered for a final visit.

Soldiers and airmen practiced walking to and from the scene, taking note of obstacles, such as tree roots, along the way. An Air National Guard first sergeant gave younger members last-minute reminders; stop with your left foot, hold your ceremonial rifle so that the front mount of the sling is almost above your left eye, and dip all flags except the American flag when you hear the first national anthem line.

SPC. Miguel Angel Palma has been doing it for two years. He said preparing for ceremonies takes a lot of practice and attention to detail, especially since grieving family or senior military leaders may be present.

“You want everyone to be in unison,” he said. “You want everyone to work well together.”

Palma is a member of the Indiana Military Department’s Ceremonial Unit. It was the first such unit in any state when it was established in 1974. It has eight teams, including a color guard, a gunnery group, and a salute battery, which handles gun duties of ceremony. On Monday, the unit participated in Crown Hill Cemetery’s annual Memorial Day service.

“What really strikes me is the support we have,” Palma said of the ceremonies he attends. “Today, Memorial Day, really shows where our country is at.”

sergeant. 1st Class Joshua Stephens, the NCO in charge of the unit, said the ceremonial unit attends about 250 military funerals a month. It manages repatriation ceremonies for the remains of deceased service members who have been identified and returned to their descendants. The unit also takes part in major ceremonies, such as those for the Indianapolis 500 and Memorial Day.

“On days like this, Memorial Day, it’s incredibly important to me that we’re here to help in any way we can,” Stephens said.

When the Crown Hill ceremony began at 2 p.m., the National Guard provided a ceremonial band and cannon. Palma, carrying a Springfield Model 1903 ceremonial rifle, led the color guard into position in front of the stage. The role of the ceremonial unit went off without a hitch.

Palma said serving in the ceremonial unit allows him to serve not only his country and his community, but also fallen service members. He said that being able to show them his respect and the sacrifice they made makes his own service especially worthwhile.