Photo by Dennis Ryan
The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps proudly steps down Pennsylvania Avenue while watched by thousands of people.
Posted on 01/31/2005 10:43:29 PM PST by Former Military Chick
Midst of a week filled with regular ceremonial and tactical duties, Soldiers from the Old Guard rendered honors to President George W. Bush through their participation in the 55th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20.
The participation, which included musical, hand and horse-mounted salutes, was an opportunity for Soldiers from the Army's oldest active infantry unit to pay tribute to the commander-in-chief and to be a part of an historical moment.
Photo by Dennis Ryan
The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps proudly steps down Pennsylvania Avenue while watched by thousands of people.
Soldiers from the 3rd US Infantry Regiment expressed subdued pride contributing to the parade, saying it was both extraordinary and a part of their regular duties as Soldiers.
"This is part of our job, but it's still a great honor to be out here," said Sgt. Andrea Moore, a participant in the parade cordon.
Approximately 350 Old Guard Soldiers joined their comrades from other military services in standing along the parade route at five-meter intervals. As President Bush passed on the route, the Soldiers saluted as a sign of loyalty and respect.
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Tracy DeMarco
The Old Guard's caisson platoon rides past the presidential reviewing stand.
As one of the cordon supervisors, Moore began lining up with the Soldiers hours before the parade.
"My job is to make sure they are on their proper mark and to make sure they salute the presidential vehicle as it drives by," Moore said of his supervisory role.
Moore and the other Old Guard participants braved harsh winter winds on the path stretching from the Capitol to the White House.
"I'm from North Carolina and something like this is unbelievable to me," said Moore, a native of Hertford, N.C.
"To me, it was worth standing out here no matter how cold it was," Moore added.
After the high noon second-term inauguration of President Bush, Soldiers from the cordon lined the route as other Old Guard Soldiers composing multiple marching elements, the Fife and Drum Corps, the Caisson Platoon, and a Presidential Escort, passed along the route.
Ceremonial horse units from the 1st Armored Calvary Division at Fort Hood, Texas, and from Fort Riley, Kan., joined the Caisson Platoon, whose 15 Photo by Tech. Sgt. Tracy DeMarco The Old Guard's caisson platoon rides past the presidential reviewing stand.
horses marched down the frigid streets with their Soldier riders.
Soldiers from the platoon said marching with two of the Army's premier units for horses gave the Old Guard a chance to further spotlight the platoon.
"This is something a little bigger than usual ceremonies, and it gives us a chance to show off what we can do," said Sgt. Stephen Cava, of Medford, N.J.
Apart from riding horseback, Old Guard infantrymen marched in line units, rifles in hand, displaying the units' marching precision.
Marching in the parade was the latest high-profile mission for Old Guard Soldiers in the past twelve months.
In a period that included deploying to Djibouti in support of the Global War on Terrorism and conducting a state funeral for former President Ronald Reagan, regimental leadership said they are continuously amazed by the performance of the Old Guard Soldiers.
"This unit didn't conduct this, these Soldiers did," said Col. Chuck Taylor, Old Guard Regimental Commander.
"To them goes the credit. It isn't The Old Guard, it is the representatives of the Army that deserve the credit," Taylor said.
As Taylor ruminates over missions accomplished in the face of regular ceremonial and tactical tasks, he said he is more than satisfied with the performance of the Soldiers.
"When I took command I knew I would be privileged to participate in the inauguration festivities of our president. As I reflect now, ... I could never have imagined the pride I would possess," Taylor said.
Graybeard58 - USAF Honor Guard Washington DC 1963 - 1967.
Ping...Chesty........you're up.
Thanks Smarty
C Co 3d US Infantry 75-79
Ping for 'The Third Herd'.
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