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AFDW continues preparation for inauguration parade

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman R. Michael Longoria
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
BOLLING AFB, D.C. --  With an overcast sky and temperatures at 37 degrees, the 11th Wing commander led 310 marching Airmen from the U.S. Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue to 15th Street Jan. 11 during a rehearsal for the 2009 Inauguration Day Parade.

"The inaugural practice was a helpful reminder to all Airmen that we share an incredibly unique privilege to present the Air Force to our newly elected commander in chief," said Col. Jon A. Roop, 11th Wing commander. "We represent the precision and reliability that characterizes our commitment to delivering air, space and cyberspace power. I'm confident our Airmen will make a lasting first impression."

More than 10,000 participants from different colleges, high schools and all branches of the Armed Services, including the United States Air Force Band and Honor Guard as well as several other Airmen from the Air Force District of Washington, are expected to march with President-elect Barack Obama during the course of the parade.

"It's very cold," said Staff Sgt. Maisha T. Granda, 579th Dental Squadron. "Every time I think about complaining, I remind myself that it is a huge honor to be a part of this historic event."

With so many eyes on the parade, Airmen have been practicing for nearly three months.

"We began preparation back in November," said Capt. Whitney P. Walker, Honor Guard. "It has been a lot of work leading up to this point, but we've managed. We're ready to be a part of history.

"We are practicing and rehearsing to make sure everyone is doing their weapon movements correctly," said Captain Walker. "We're using M-1s instead of M-14s. The M-1s are heavier and that impacts the carry throughout the parade."

The M-1 Grand and M-14 rifle have been superseded in military use by the M-16 rifle, but both remain in service as a ceremonial weapon.

In addition to the Honor Guard, the Air Force Band will also play a key role in inaugural events.

"The Band started preparing a year ago," said Chief Master Sgt. Edward J. Teleky, drum major and director of the Band's Ceremonial Brass. "Since the Air Force Band is using every aspect of is operation, we had to start planning last year. Also, we spent the entire last week at Andrews Air Force Base (Md.) practicing. The greatest challenge is the weather; however, we are prepared and have all our clothing items for game day.

"Everyone is excited," said Chief Teleky. "This is my sixth inaugural parade and it is as special as the first."

Although hundreds of Airman will be marching in the parade, 80 Airmen from Bolling will be standing guard and paying respect to the new president as part of a joint service military cordon along the parade route. The Air Force is the first section in the cordon.

"We are the first branch the new president sees as he heads to the White House," said Airman 1st Class Richard P. Anderson, 844th Communication Group. "The main role of the cordon is to pay respect to the new president as he becomes our new commander in chief. It's going to be a very long day for us, reporting time is 1:30 a.m. and we still don't know when we will be done for the day. It's going to be a long but historic day and I get to be a part of it."

The inaugural parade began in 1789 with George Washington taking office in New York City. When he began his trek from Mount Vernon, a number of militias joined the procession as it passed through the towns. Once in New York, members of the Continental army, government officials and American citizens joined the group to walk President Washington to Federal Hall for his swearing in ceremony.

Thomas Jefferson, in 1801, was the first president to lead a parade in Washington, D.C. President Jefferson and a group of government officials and citizens were followed from the Capitol accompanied by the music of the "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, which still performs at all presidential parades.

Due to the anticipated crowds and complicated traffic logistics, it is recommended that people arrive four to five hours early. Parade gates open at 7 a.m. with the approximate start time between 1 and 2 p.m. The parade is expected to last more than two hours.