Lance Heppner has been volunteering his time in the Montana Army National Honor Guard for six years, getting personal satisfaction but not many accolades.

Now the Guard chief warrant officer has a spot in a movie, two gloves signed by celebrities and a sweet $50 paycheck.

Heppner, 35, was one of seven Montana guardsmen who recently took part in the filming of "Taking Chance," an HBO movie that recounts the true story of Lt. Col. Michael Strobl as he escorted the body of a 19-year-old Marine named Chance Phelps home to Wyoming.

Heppner also has a new nickname -- Hollywood.

Sgt. 1st Class Terry Biesemeyer explained that they goof on one another to ease the routine of serving at funerals and ease the emotional distress.

In the movie, which stars Kevin Bacon as Strobl, Heppner and the other guardsmen performed the funeral honors for the fallen soldier, just as they have for 300 military personnel this past year alone.

Montana has about 100 honor guard members.

During a funeral ceremony, the volunteers are in charge of folding the flag, presenting it to the family and playing "Taps" on a bugle, among other duties.

Heppner's foray into film came after Sgt. 1st Class Michael Herrin, a member of the Montana Honor Guard who also has been involved in movies in the past, was told about "Taking Chance."

"The director wanted military and honor guard personnel for the movie and was excited when I contacted her about our team," Herrin said.

Heppner said he wanted to participate after reading Strobl's story online.

"It's a subject we deal with on a regular basis," he said.

The honor guard sometimes does several funerals in a day, all on donated time, according to Montana Honor Guard Coordinator Denny Lenoir.

"They go way above and beyond the call of duty," Lenoir said.

Time of year and weather is not a consideration, he said. Whether it's 40-below or a scorching 110 degrees, they'll be there.

"These guys go anywhere, anytime," Lenoir said.

The Montana Honor Guard's parts in the movie were shot at a school in Ennis and in Virginia City.

Heppner said he had to stand in formation during the funeral scene for eight hours.

"My feet hurt but it was for a good cause," he said.

Although Heppner and the other Guard members signed a waiver saying they would not hound the stars for autographs when their scenes were shot, they approached Bacon and another actor, Tom Wopat, best known as Luke Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard."

"They had already filmed, so we went for it," he said with a laugh.

Heppner said both actors were gracious and each signed a glove. He is planning on putting the two gloves in a case with his $50 payment for his time.

The movie will be released next year.

For more information on the Montana Honor Guard call Lenoir at 324-3231.