The newest members of the Hill Country Honor Guard spent six days learning to prepare for the hardest day a department can face: the day it buries one of its own.

They will fold the flag, render the final salute and stand watch over fallen officers, firefighters and medics, so grieving families know that sacrifice will never be forgotten.

"I can tell you with 100 percent certainty, there is no payment, no value, no measure can be placed on what you do as members of the honor guard," National Honor Guard Academy Commanding Officer Doug Swartz told the graduates.