Wildland Fire engine boss Karl Mosho member of BIA Northwest Region Honor Guard
Karl Mosho (far right) with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
WASHINGTON D.C. — Karl Mosho, Shoshone-Bannock Wildland Fire engine boss, is a member of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Northwest Region Honor Guard.
He’s in Washington D.C. throughout the week at the Department of Interior Native American Heritage Month activities. “Honor Guard was here to open the ceremony by carrying an eagle staff and presenting the U.S. flag, Department of Interior flag and various tribal nations flags,” Mosho said. The Honor Guard also has a scheduled White House visit on Friday where they are presenting the same flags for a tribal conference. He’s not sure if President Biden will be in attendance.
Other Honor Guard members are Darron Williams of Northwest Region BIA, Kevin Small, Pacific Region BIA, and Joe Adams of the Kalispel Tribe. “We are a group of folks from all walks of life and tribes,” he continued.
Karl Mosho (far right) with other Honor Guard members.
It’s the end of his second year on the Honor Guard, “We are still in the grassroots of it – it’s awesome that I get to be a part of the formation of the BIA Honor Guard,” Mosho said. “It has taken a bit to get us to where we are today but has been worth it when we have been called upon to serve for those that paid the ultimate sacrifice and to support their loved ones.”
The Honor Guard was in Maryland in May of this year and had a day off, so they were able to go to Washington to enjoy their day off visiting the museums, monuments and memorials.
To be an Honor Guard member, Karl said he had to go through an application and screening process that included a short essay about why he would like to a part of it and what it would mean to him.
He is in his 16th year of fire service. “What keeps me going is the brotherhood and the camaraderie amongst our folks. At the end of a tough shift, you see the fire that you just stopped from spreading and possible damaging homes or worse taking life, gives you a great sense of duty pride and is always a good feeling.”
Karl said both his family and fire family have been a major part in support for him to be a part of the Honor Guard. “Without their support and words of encouragement, it would make this tough and difficult to be away on our assignments.”
