DC National Guard provides support during 50th anniversary of 'March on Washington'

Photo By Capt. Miranda Summers Lowe | Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Isabell, Joint Forces Headquarters, District of Columbia National Guard, assists attendees during the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's famous March on Washington, where he gave his historic "I Have A Dream" speech. National Guard service members were on hand to assist local law enforcement agencies with security, safety, and traffic control. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Michael Dann)  

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES

08.24.2013

Courtesy Story

DC National Guard

WASHINGTON - From young to old, from around the country, thousands of marchers descended on the National Mall to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the famous Civil Rights March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, Aug. 24.

From traffic control points to roving guards, 378 District of Columbia National Guard soldiers and airmen supplemented security interagency partners such as the Park Police and the Metropolitan Police Department in a longstanding tradition of collaboration.

"The District of Columbia National Guard is a big overall asset because local and federal law enforcement can augment their manpower with about 100 to 200 soldiers. They can reroute or reuse their manpower in other locations. This helps spread resources throughout the city." said Army 1st Sgt. Rodney Butler of the 275th Military Police Company.

Soldiers are able to build on prior training and continue to reinforce relationships with local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Staff Sgt. Andre Easley, a member of the 275th Military Police Company said "It differs from the Inauguration," a mission Easley worked this past January, "because there were more protests. You saw a different type of crowd and you saw a different type of element. This is some of the stuff that they focus on in common tasks in military police school: Dealing with different levels of crowds and dealing with traffic control points."

Different military occupational specialties ranging from military police to medical personnel answered the call of duty by manning traffic control points while continuously improving on their specific job tasks.

Sgt. Phillip Schmidt, a member 224th Aviation Battalion, said they are able to rely on the police and other agencies for guidance, especially for non-military police soldiers who need to increase their experience.

• Date Taken: 08.24.2013
• Date Posted: 08.26.2013 18:14
• Story ID: 112620
• Location: WASHINGTON, DC, US