Warrior of the Week: Airman 1st Class Joshua Weaver

With the American flag by his side, Airman 1st Class Joshua Weaver awaits for the signal to lead an honor guard detail down the aisle and present the colors during an Air Force retirement ceremony Aug. 27, 2013, at the Community Activity Center at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. The 23-year-old Airman from Selma, Ind., is the base’s Warrior of the Week for the third week of October 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Honor Guard Member of the Quarter: A1C Joshua Weaver

Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander, presents Airman 1st Class Joshua Weaver with the Honor Guardsman of the Quarter Award for the third quarter of 2013, during an awards ceremony on Oct. 11, 2013, at the Northern Lights Club at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Weaver was named the base’s Warrior of the Week for the third week of October 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Xavier Navarro) (Photo was cropped to place focus on the subject in the image)

Airman 1st Class Joshua Weaver, adjusts the video camera lens while recording footage during the National Prayer Luncheon held Jan. 29, 2013, at the Northern Lights Club at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Weaver, an Air Force public affairs broadcaster, was named the he base’s Warrior of the Week for the third week of October 2013, while serving as a ceremonial guardsman with the Grand Forks AFB Honor Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Warrior of the Week: Airman 1st Class Joshua Weaver

Published Oct. 23, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
319th Air base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --

Rank and name: Airman 1st Class Joshua Weaver

Unit: Grand Forks Air Force Base Honor Guard

Duty title: Base ceremonial guardsman

Time in service: 2 years, 1 month

Hometown: Selma, Ind.

Why is serving in the Air Force important to you?

I have done a lot of thinking about this question over my time in the Air Force, and the best reason I can think of is because of the goose bumps I get every time I hear the national anthem along with knowing that I have served my country and paid the appropriate respect to that flag. That feeling makes waking up every day worth it to me.

What moment or accomplishment as a Warrior of the North are you most proud of and why?

Probably my proudest moment as a Warrior of the North came just a few days ago when I received the Honor Guardsman of the Quarter award. I really have never given my all at anything until I came to the honor guard. And the leadership here has inspired me to really work hard and do everything to the best of my ability and it was a great feeling when that hard work paid off.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I would say that my favorite part of being a member of the honor guard is the feeling I get when I honor someone who has served before me. It is a feeling unlike any other and I am so thankful to have to opportunity to do so.

Who or what inspires you and why?

There are several people who inspire me on a daily basis, but what inspires me first and foremost is my family. My parents, Patrick and Pamela Weaver, my brother Gabe and my lovely wife, Cassie, all inspire me every day to do my best.

What's the first thing that made you think Grand Forks Air Force Base was a cool place other than the temperature or weather?

You know I have been at this base for a little over a year and a half now and I truly think that what makes this base different from other bases is the fact that we are so small. I'm from a small town and I was a little nervous about joining the Air Force and being placed in a big city. Here at Grand Forks Air Force Base, though we are all like a family or a small community where everybody knows everybody else. I think that is what made me really like this place and sets it apart from any other base.