Nahant Police Honor Guard perform in Boston

NAHANT – The Nahant Police Honor Guard participated in the Boston Bruins opening ceremonies on Wednesday evening.Sgt. Stephen Shultz, who is a member of the Honor Guard, said everyone was excited about being front and center when the Bruins took on the Florida Panthers at Boston Garden.”Everyone is real excited,” Shultz said. “This is the first time we’ve participated in a major sporting event and we’re all looking forward to it. The guys in the Honor Guard take special pride in representing the town and the department.”The Honor Guard currently consists of Shultz and Officers Armand Conti, Joe Lyons, Tim Furlong and Keith O’Brien.”It’s very exciting,” Conti said. “It’s a prestigious thing to do. We’re in a time of war, the National Anthem is being played and we’re representing our town and country for all the right reasons. It’s a great thing to do.”Late last fall after almost two years of fund raising, the Nahant Police Honor Guard purchased new uniforms. Shultz said old uniforms dated back to the 1960s and were in dire need of replacement.The Honor Guard sported the new uniforms for the first time during the 2010 Veterans Day activities in town. Shultz said the Honor Guard uniforms and equipment cost approximately $1,200 per person.Conti added participation in the Honor Guard is strictly voluntary and members are not compensated for their time or expenses incurred for performing their duties.”We do this on our own time and at our own expense,” Conti said. “It’s an honor to do it.”In addition to leading the police department in the annual Memorial Day parade, the Honor Guard participates in several other ceremonies a year. They also show support during funeral services for a members of the military, a fellow police officer or an officer’s family member.Shultz said most recently the Honor Guard attended the funeral of Woburn Police Officer John Maguire, who was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 26.