From Shelton to Space Force

When he was in his early teens, Nicholas Ames would march down his Shelton street parading an American flag tied to a closet dowel.

Ames presented the colors during his years with the Shelton High School NJROTC, and during his four years with the U.S. Air Force at more than 600 funeral ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

On Sept. 28. Ames will be the first U.S. Space Force Guardian to present the colors at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington during the 75th anniversary celebration of the U.S. Air Force.

Presenting the flag of the U.S. Space Force, established as the country's sixth military branch in December 2019, is "a tremendous honor," the 2019 graduate of Shelton High School said in a telephone interview with the Journal from Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C.

"The kid is making history," said his father, Michael.

"What I'm doing now I was doing at 14," Ames said.

Ames said he was inspired by a photograph of his grandfather, a U.S. Navy lieutenant in his military dress whites. When he entered Shelton High School, he was powerfully influenced by Master Sgt. Daniel Hernandez in the school's NJROTC.

Hernandez, who spent 31 years in the Marines, stressed the importance of "customs and courtesies and regulations" and "the idea you want to be as smart as you can in any situation," Ames said.

"He's inspired hundreds and hundreds of kids," said Michael Ames. He added, "He took good care of my son."

Ames then joined the Civil Air Patrol. He also was enrolled in the Running Start program.

Ames joined the Air Force immediately after his high school graduation in 2019. During his first few months of training, he was conditioned to stand still.

Ames presented the colors alongside then-President Donald Trump on the White House south lawn at a Fourth of July celebration. He also attended a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelinskyy two weeks before his country was invaded by Russia, and at a ceremony dedicating Nancy Pelosi's portrait. He also presented the flag when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met President Joe Biden on the steps of the White House.

The U.S. Space Force was established Dec. 20, 2019 when the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law. It became the sixth branch of national defense.

On its website, the U.S. Space Force states, "The establishment of the USSF resulted from widespread recognition that space was a national security imperative. When combined with the growing threat posed by near-peer competitors in space, it became clear there was a need for a military service focused solely on pursuing superiority in the space domain."

Ames said that when people hear he's a member of the U.S. Space Force, they often ask whether it really exists, and what is its purpose.

Ames lives in an apartment in Virginia, a 15-minute commute to work. He's working on a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He plans to dedicate 20 years with the Force.

"As we look to the stars, the Space Force will lead the way."