Posted on 12/21/2004 4:26:49 AM PST by Tank-FL
LEXINGTON, Va., Dec. 20, 2004 -- For the twelfth time, the Corps of Cadets of Virginia Military Institute will march in a Presidential inaugural parade, said VMI Superintendent Gen. J. H. Binford Peay III.
"It is a high honor for VMI to participate in President Bush's inauguration," Peay said. "For these cadets, it will be an exciting and proud day in their time at VMI, and I expect it will be something they will look back on from a historic perspective with fondness and memories."
Peay said VMI was notified over the weekend that the entire 1,300-member Corps of Cadets will participate in the parade. This will mark the first time since the 1953 inauguration of President Eisenhower that the entire Corps has participated in an inaugural parade. The parade starts 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 20 near the Capitol, and travels down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.
"Marching in the Presidential inaugural parade is a tremendous honor for the VMI Corps of Cadets," said the Corps' regimental commander, Cadet Jonathan Corrado, a senior from Cincinnati, Ohio. "The opportunity to be involved in this event indicates the significance of military educational programs in the preparation for the challenges that face our nation. The Corps of Cadets has been anticipating this opportunity for some time, and is eager about participating and representing VMI."
The Corps is well rehearsed in marching. VMI's strict military regimen usually includes at least one parade each week during the academic sessions, according to Col. Eric Hutchings, commandant of cadets. Hutchings said the cadets will be bused to Washington, D.C., the morning of the parade, and will return to Lexington that evening.
Founded in 1839, VMI is the nation's oldest state-supported military college. The first presidential inaugural parade it participated in was in 1909 for President Taft; the most recent parade was in 1989 when President Bush's father was inaugurated.
-VMI-
VMI Participation In Past Inaugural Parades 1909 - President Taft 1913 and 1917 - President Wilson 1949 - President Truman 1953 - President Eisenhower 1961 - President Kennedy 1969 and 1973 - President Nixon 1977 - President Carter 1981 - President Reagan 1989 - President Bush NOTE: VMI was scheduled to march in President Reagan's second inaugural parade, but the parade was cancelled due to severe weather.
Also, my daughter, aka Freeper LionsDaughter, will be in the parade. She plays tenor sax in the AU Marching Band. The band will be representing the state of Alabama.
Also, the Virginia Tech Highty-Tighties will be marching in the parade.
So, we meet them first in New Orleans January 3 and then in DC on January 20.
I see you are just about as proud a parent as I am. Last Inaugural was a different time and my son was in High School. I attended the Free Republic Inaugural Ball in 2001 and had a great time.
This is going to be much more important to me. Albert is marching in parade this time as a Cadet 2nd Class.
I need to start making my plans.
It is a special honor. I'm not going. Its just way too expensive. But this is an honor she'll remember the rest of her life. This is also the first time LD voted. She voted for Bush.
FWIW, we had a business trip to Washington in 95. We purposely didn't try to tour the White House. Perhaps this time she'll get to.
WAR TURKEY!!!!
Rah Virginia Mil!
I just am not going to make the W2 BALL this time. No time
I do need some help - Where do the pre parade participants muster?
I want to see my sone for a minute ..
I have to work with this schedule..
.. I fly from MCO at 0630 to BWI 0845 on the 20th
Amtrak BWI depart 1013 to DC Union Station @ 1045
Go to the swearing in
Go to Parade
Union Station 1835 to BWI at 1835
2045 leave BWI to MCO at 2300..
Back home in 18 hours ..
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