LF native named to honor guard

Fabian Lozano

By ENSIGN HAN FIORI-PUYU
Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, TN—Seaman Fabian Lozano, a native of Los Fresnos, Texas, recently completed an intensive 10-week training program to become a member of the elite U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.

Seaman Lozano, a 2024 Weiss High School graduate, joined the Navy four months ago. Today, Lozano serves as a U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guardsman.

“I joined the Navy to make my parents proud, and it has been something I have always wanted to do,” Lozano said.

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

“I like how everyone treats each other like family,” Lozano said about serving with the Ceremonial Guard.

According to Navy officials, the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard’s primary mission is to represent the service in Presidential, Joint Armed Forces, Navy, and public ceremonies in and around the nation’s capital.

Members of the Navy Ceremonial Guard participate in some of our nation’s most prestigious ceremonies, including Presidential inaugurations and arrival ceremonies for foreign officials.

Sailors of the Ceremonial Guard are hand-selected while they are attending boot camp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, according to a Navy Office of Community Outreach press release.

Strict military order and discipline, combined with teamwork, allow the Ceremonial Guard to fulfill their responsibilities with pride and determination, according to the press release. They are experts in the art of close order drill, coordination and timing.

“Serving in the Navy to me means I am able to be a part of an amazing family like no other,” Lozano said.

The Ceremonial Guard is comprised of the drill team, color guard, casket bearers and firing party. There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers.

“I would say I am most proud of completing training as fast as I did,” Lozano said.

As Lozano and other sailors continue to perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“In my time in the Navy, I’ve learned discipline and how to be a better man,” added Lozano.