Fort Bliss Monitor

Soldiers take lead in inauguration

Gary Sheftick, Tammy Jarrett and Grant Nulle
Army News Service

President George W. Bush and the First Lady receive applause while the the U.S. Army Band (Pershing’s Own) Herald Trumpets play “Hail to the Chief” at the Liberty Ball, Jan. 20. The musicians were among thousands of Soldiers who supported events during the celebration of the nation’s 55th presidential inauguration.

WASHINGTON – Thousands of Soldiers participated in the second inauguration of President George W. Bush Jan. 21, from marching in the long inaugural parade and helping with security to supporting inaugural balls.

Soldiers with the inaugural’s joint task force began duty at the parade staging area near the Pentagon at 3 a.m. Army marching units began staging there just before 8 a.m. and many of them didn’t finish marching until well after nightfall.

Despite long hours enduring the cold temperatures, most Soldiers said the experience was worth the effort.

West Point cadets volunteer many hours

It’s quite an honor to be here,” said West Point sophomore Cadet Mitch Daniels. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”

Daniels was one of 81 cadets from West Point who spent two weeks practicing for the parade during their own time after classes. About 160 cadets volunteered to participate in the West Point marching formation and showed up for try-outs. The best 81 were selected, said academy Operations Officer Lt. Col. Blair Tiger.
We have quite a diverse group,” Blair said, “everyone from plebes to those who are going to graduate this year and be commissioned.”

The academy marching unit included 11 women and two exchange students. One of the unit leaders was the corps’ regimental sergeant major, Cadet Jin Wang from Singapore who was recently selected as a Rhodes Scholar and plans to study philosophy, politics and economics next year at Oxford.
First-year cadet Mario Feliciano, an exchange student from the Philippines, also marched in the parade. “It feels good to represent West Point today,” he said. “It feels good to represent the Philippines too.”

Army Field Band leads parade

The U.S. Army Field Band led Division 1 of the parade, directly following the presidential escort. The band members travel around the nation as Army ambassadors, performing at concerts, but seldom have the opportunity to march.

Field band members said they have been practicing almost two months for the Inaugural Parade. In contrast, Pvt. Kevin Mills, an Army Reserve Soldier who marched, said he found out less than a week ago that he would be participating.

Reserve Soldiers represent their component

Mills marched with the 5115th Garrison Support Unit from Fort Meade, Md. “It’s great to represent the Reserves,” Mills said.

A composite marching unit from the District of Columbia represented the Army National Guard in the parade. Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone Ward said he found out in October that he would be participating. But then again, Ward said this was the fifth time he has marched in a presidential inaugural parade with the D.C. National Guard.
A number of the National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers also marched in President Ronald Reagan’s state funeral procession in June.

“Cold weather today is a good contrast to the Reagan funeral,” said Sgt. 1st Class David Rinaldo of the D.C. National Guard. He said in the June 10 funeral procession “people were dropping out because of heat and humidity, rather than the cold.”

‘Old Guard’ keeps inaugural tradition

Elements of the 3rd U.S. Infantry escorted the president in the parade – a tradition the regiment’s Commander-in-Chief’s Guard began in 1789 by escorting George Washington to his inauguration in New York City.

It’s an honor to be a part of history,” said Pfc. Matthew Beard, a 3rd U.S. Infantry Soldier who marched this time in Division 1 of the parade. Beard and his fellow “Old Guard” Soldier Pfc. Eric Slaughter both said they were excited because their families were planning to watch them in the parade on television.

Other Army units in the parade included The U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” which led the presidential escort; a 1st Cavalry Division detachment from Fort Hood, Texas; the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard from Fort Riley, Kan.; and a number of ROTC detachments, including marching units from Texas A&M, the Citadel and Virginia Military Institute.

Many attend inaugural balls

Many Soldiers who attended one of the 10 sanctioned inaugural balls that evening caught more than a glimpse of the president and First Lady Laura Bush.

About 2,000 servicemembers attended the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball designed specifically for junior-grade officers and enlisted veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq theaters of operation.

The most memorable moment at the ball for Capt. Darcy Saint-Maint of Fort Meade, Md., was receiving an autograph from former First Lady Barbara Bush. The Commander-in-Chief’s Ball was the only one attended by former President George Bush Sr.

The newly inaugurated president and first lady attended all 10 balls, waving to guests and dancing on stage. At each one of the balls, their arrival was signaled by the U.S. Army Band’s “Herald Trumpets” playing Hail to the Chief. A military color guard also opened each of the balls.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	January 27, 2005

	Soldiers take lead in inauguration Gary Sheftick, Tammy Jarrett and Grant Nulle Army News Service President George W. Bush and the First Lady receive applause while the the U.S. Army Band (Pershing’s Own) Herald Trumpets play “Hail to the Chief” at the Liberty Ball, Jan. 20. The musicians were among thousands of Soldiers who supported events during the celebration of the nation’s 55th presidential inauguration. WASHINGTON – Thousands of Soldiers participated in the second inauguration of President George W. Bush Jan. 21, from marching in the long inaugural parade and helping with security to supporting inaugural balls. Soldiers with the inaugural’s joint task force began duty at the parade staging area near the Pentagon at 3 a.m. Army marching units began staging there just before 8 a.m. and many of them didn’t finish marching until well after nightfall. Despite long hours enduring the cold temperatures, most Soldiers said the experience was worth the effort. West Point cadets volunteer many hours It’s quite an honor to be here,” said West Point sophomore Cadet Mitch Daniels. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.” Daniels was one of 81 cadets from West Point who spent two weeks practicing for the parade during their own time after classes. About 160 cadets volunteered to participate in the West Point marching formation and showed up for try-outs. The best 81 were selected, said academy Operations Officer Lt. Col. Blair Tiger. We have quite a diverse group,” Blair said, “everyone from plebes to those who are going to graduate this year and be commissioned.” The academy marching unit included 11 women and two exchange students. One of the unit leaders was the corps’ regimental sergeant major, Cadet Jin Wang from Singapore who was recently selected as a Rhodes Scholar and plans to study philosophy, politics and economics next year at Oxford. First-year cadet Mario Feliciano, an exchange student from the Philippines, also marched in the parade. “It feels good to represent West Point today,” he said. “It feels good to represent the Philippines too.” Army Field Band leads parade The U.S. Army Field Band led Division 1 of the parade, directly following the presidential escort. The band members travel around the nation as Army ambassadors, performing at concerts, but seldom have the opportunity to march. Field band members said they have been practicing almost two months for the Inaugural Parade. In contrast, Pvt. Kevin Mills, an Army Reserve Soldier who marched, said he found out less than a week ago that he would be participating. Reserve Soldiers represent their component Mills marched with the 5115th Garrison Support Unit from Fort Meade, Md. “It’s great to represent the Reserves,” Mills said. A composite marching unit from the District of Columbia represented the Army National Guard in the parade. Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone Ward said he found out in October that he would be participating. But then again, Ward said this was the fifth time he has marched in a presidential inaugural parade with the D.C. National Guard. A number of the National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers also marched in President Ronald Reagan’s state funeral procession in June. “Cold weather today is a good contrast to the Reagan funeral,” said Sgt. 1st Class David Rinaldo of the D.C. National Guard. He said in the June 10 funeral procession “people were dropping out because of heat and humidity, rather than the cold.” ‘Old Guard’ keeps inaugural tradition Elements of the 3rd U.S. Infantry escorted the president in the parade – a tradition the regiment’s Commander-in-Chief’s Guard began in 1789 by escorting George Washington to his inauguration in New York City. It’s an honor to be a part of history,” said Pfc. Matthew Beard, a 3rd U.S. Infantry Soldier who marched this time in Division 1 of the parade. Beard and his fellow “Old Guard” Soldier Pfc. Eric Slaughter both said they were excited because their families were planning to watch them in the parade on television. Other Army units in the parade included The U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” which led the presidential escort; a 1st Cavalry Division detachment from Fort Hood, Texas; the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard from Fort Riley, Kan.; and a number of ROTC detachments, including marching units from Texas A&M, the Citadel and Virginia Military Institute. Many attend inaugural balls Many Soldiers who attended one of the 10 sanctioned inaugural balls that evening caught more than a glimpse of the president and First Lady Laura Bush. About 2,000 servicemembers attended the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball designed specifically for junior-grade officers and enlisted veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq theaters of operation. The most memorable moment at the ball for Capt. Darcy Saint-Maint of Fort Meade, Md., was receiving an autograph from former First Lady Barbara Bush. The Commander-in-Chief’s Ball was the only one attended by former President George Bush Sr. The newly inaugurated president and first lady attended all 10 balls, waving to guests and dancing on stage. At each one of the balls, their arrival was signaled by the U.S. Army Band’s “Herald Trumpets” playing Hail to the Chief. A military color guard also opened each of the balls.