Organization and Staff of the MDNG Honor Guard

The MDNGHG comprises highly motivated and trained Maryland Army and Air National Guardsmen. Our region of responsibility is divided into four areas and we provide funeral honors at every cemetery in the State of Maryland free of charge for Maryland’s veterans.
 
Headquarters for MDNGHG is located at the 5th Regiment Armory in Baltimore, Maryland. The Northern Area Team is located at Havre De Grace Military Reservation in Havre De Grace, Maryland and is under the direction of Doris Nielsen. The Southern Area Team is located next to the Greenbelt Armory in Greenbelt, Maryland and is under the direction of Charles Lutz. The Eastern Area Team is located in Easton Armory in Easton, Maryland and is under the direction of Mark Mills. The Western Area Team is located at the Pikesville Military Reservation in Baltimore, Maryland and is under the direction of Derrick Hayes.
 

Jari Villanueva, Director

Jari Villanueva, Director 
Director Jari Villanueva retired from the United States Air Force where he spent 23 years with The USAF Band in Washington DC. While in the Air Force he was the Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of The USAF Band’s State Funeral Plans and was the NCOIC of the command post at Andrews AFB which oversaw the arrival and departure ceremonies for the late Presidents Reagan and Ford. Villanueva participated in a variety of ceremonies and concerts in the Washington, D.C. area, such as state arrivals at the White House, full honor arrivals for foreign dignitaries at the Pentagon, retirement and award ceremonies and special ceremonies involving a solo bugler. He participated in well over 5,000 ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, served as an assistant drum major leading The USAF Ceremonial Brass in funerals at Arlington and also served as a Chaplains assistant and escort for Arlington Ladies for 200+ missions. He was responsible for all the music performed by the USAF Bands for state funerals. His arrangement of Goin’ Home has been played at many prominent ceremonies including the disinterment ceremony of the Vietnam Unknown at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and was a requested selection at the funeral of President Ronald Reagan in June 2004 and the funeral of President Gerald R. Ford in January 2007. Between 1998-2002 Villanueva created a display at Arlington National Cemetery highlighting the history of the military bugler. He was responsible for moving the bugle used at President John F. Kennedy’s funeral from the Smithsonian to Arlington where it is currently on display.
Jari was appointed an officer in the Maryland Defense Force in October, 2008. He holds the rank of Major in the MDDF. Major (MD) Villanueva is the Director of the Maryland Defense Force Band which represents and provides musical support for hte Maryland Defense Force, provides back up support for the 229th Army Band, and provides supplemental professional musical support to the Maryland Military Department and the Maryland National Guard. The band's website is www.mddfband.org.
His military awards and decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with six oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with one service star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon. He was named the USAF Band Senior NCO of the 2nd Quarter in 2006. He is an honorary member of the USAF Honor Guard.
Director Villanueva is a graduate of the Baltimore Public School system and earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1978 from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. In 1984 he received a Master of Music degree from Kent State University, Ohio. He is also a 2006 graduate of the Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.
Villanueva is a member of the American Legion Post 109 in Arbutus, Maryland, the Air Force Musicians Association, the Maryland Military Historical Society, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and an associate member of the Society of the Honor Guard – Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He is married to Heather Faust and resides in Catonsville, Maryland.

Dominic Boyd, Deputy Director

Dominic Boyd, Deputy Director 
 
Dominic D. Boyd is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated Forest Park Senior High School in 1996 and joined the Army National Guard later that year. He served in the Army National Guard as Armorer for the 2nd 110th Field Artillery unit located at the Pikesville Armory until January 2005 when he transferred to the Air National Guard, where he currently serves with the 175th LRS Wing.
Mr. Boyd joined the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard in December 1998, where he served as an Honor Guard Technician. He was later promoted to supervisor for the Western Area. In October 2001, he was promoted to the Manager of the Western Area. He served in that capacity for approximately seven years and in the absence of a Deputy Director, was appointed Acting Deputy Director. Mr. Boyd was promoted to Deputy Director in March 2008.
In his years with the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard, Mr. Boyd has served as the Chief of Training and Standardization. In his military and Honor Guard careers, he has received numerous awards and medals. Post 9/11, Mr. Boyd was mobilized in support of Operation Noble Eagle. He has also been involved in the training of active duty personnel from Ft. Meade and other states to perform military funeral honors.
His awards include the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device, the Army Service Ribbon, the Maryland Outstanding Unit Ribbon, the Maryland National Guard Service Medal, the Maryland National Guard Ribbon and the Honor Guard Badge.
Mr. Boyd is happily married and is the proud and loving father of one son. In his leisure, he enjoys fishing, working out and is an avid participant in a number of softball and flag football leagues.
Mr. Boyd’s philosophy is that both a person who thinks they can’t and a person who thinks they can are both right, the question is…which one are you?
 

William Zeller, Training and Standards Chief

William Zeller, Training and Standards Chief 
William M. Zeller was born and raised in Fullerton, MD. He joined the Maryland Army National Guard in February 1957 and served in Army Aviation as an enlisted soldier until 1975, then as a warrant officer until retirement in September 1998. Mr. Zeller started with the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard in October 1998 as a western area technician/supervisor then as manager. He then served as northern area manager until retiring in 2003 and is currently working as a part time employee in the capacity of Training and Standardization Chief.

Paul Miller, Inventory Control Specialist

Paul Miller, Inventory Control Specialist 
Paul Miller enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in May 1975 and served until June 1981. He enlisted in the Maryland National Guard (MDNG ) in July 1983 and was assigned to the communications section of the 2-110th Field Artillery. He served as an Assistant Training NCO for the Headquarters Battery (AGR) from 1983 to 1985, Communications Chief for IDT weekends and the Training NCO for Alpha Battery 2-110th Field Artillery from 1985 to 1987 (AGR) and Supply NCO for the Headquarters Battery from 1987 to 1999 (AGR) and IDT. He retired from the MDNG in 1999.
He has received numerous awards and his military decorations include the Navy Achievement Medal and the Saint Barbara award (Highest Artillery Award) from the National Guard.
Mr. Miller joined the MDNG Honor Guard in July 2000 and serves as the Inventory Specialist. He is responsible for the uniforms and equipment used by the MDNGHG.
 

Janet Green, Administrative Aide

Ms. Janet Green has been employed with the Maryland State Government since 1982. In November 2004, she joined the Maryland Military Department -- Maryland National Guard Honor Guard Division.
Currently, Ms. Green serves as liaison for the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard. In this capacity, she is responsible for conducting daily interactions with honor guard managers, staff members, state and federal personnel, administrative officials and the general public. She also maintains all records for the burial supports services provided by the division, which averages over 300 requests per month.
Ms. Green earned an Associate Degree in Arts majoring in Secretarial and Office Sciences. She has exetensive experience in administrative services, supervision and customer service.
 

Doris Nielsen, Northern Area Manager

Doris Nielsen, Northern Area Manager 
Doris Nielsen is a 25 year Air Force veteran and has 6 years with the Maryland National Guard Honor Guard as the Northern area Manager. She has been married 17 years and has one son. A Master Sergeant, she is currently attached with the Maryland National Guard’s 175th Services Flight in Baltimore, Maryland.
Her awards include the Air Force Achievement Medal 1 device, AF Outstanding unit award 6 devices, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious service medal 7 devices, National Defense Service Medal 1 device, AF longevity Service 3 devices, Armed Forces Reserve Medal 1 device, Small Arms expert Markmanship, AF Training Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism, Honor Guard Ribbon, Adjutant General Distinguished Unit Ribbon, MD state short tour ribbon, AF Expeditionary with gold border, State of Maryland Meritorious Service Medal, Maryland Commendation Medal 1 device, and the Maryland National Guard State Service Medal 15 devices.
 

Arnold L. (AL) Bundy, Southern Area Manager

Arnold L. (AL) Bundy, Southern Area Manager    
 

Mark Mills, Eastern Area Manager

Arnold L. (AL) Bundy, Southern Area Manager 
 
Mark G. Mills is the Military Honor Guard Specialist Manager for the Eastern Area. Mr. Mills is a graduate of Chesapeake Senior High School. He is a Sergeant in the Maryland National Guard having entered service in 1983 and served with the 2/34th Mechanized Infantry, 55th Military Police Company, 115th Infantry, and 158th Cavalry. SSgt. Mills also served with the MD Air National Guard from 1997 - 2004. He was assigned to the 175th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron where he performed duties as an A-10 Crew Chief. He also has served in Operation Southern Watch, Kuwait; Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq. and received certificates from the Quartermaster School, Fighter Aircraft Maintenance School , Airman Leadership School Federal Funeral Training Program, USAF Honor Guard Protocol Honors and Ceremonies Course, MDNG Unit Attrition Management and Food Service Operations School. SGT. Mills has been working for the MD State Military Department VA since January 2000.
 
His military awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Air Force Training Ribbon, the Basic Aviation Badge, the MD National Guard Honor Guard Badge and MD National Guard Honor Guard Ribbon.
 
He is happily married to his wife, Margie, for 22 years and has 2 children, Michael and Amanda. They currently reside in Nottingham, Maryland.
 

Derrick Hayes, Western Area Manager

Sergeant First Class Derrick Hayes Manages the Western Area. Derrick served seven years on active duty before coming to the Honor Gaurd. In his guard position he is a Communication Chief in the 1729th Maintenance Co. Derrick has a whole litany of accomplishement with the Honor Guard. His maturity and leadership qualities have made him an asset to the Honor Guard. During his ten years with teh Army and Guard he as earned the Army Commendation Medal, Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Reserve Medal, National Defense Professional Development Medal 3rd Award, Glob War on Terrorism Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Maryland National Guard Service Medal, Counter Drug Service Ribbon, MDNG Honor Guard Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. His many accomplishments has earned him the respect of his peers and superiors. Derrick has great potential and abilities and distinguishes himself among his peers through his leadership and take-charge attitude.

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