By Pfc Cassandra Monroe
Iowa Army National Guard

WASHINGTON D.C. – As Barack Obama was being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States, Soldiers from a Cedar Rapids, Iowa Army National Guard unit, manned area security checkpoints and helped control vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the National Mall and surrounding areas.

Some of their main duties included traffic control, making sure the flow of pedestrians and vehicles moved smoothly and watching for any suspicious activity. The troops spent approximately six hours maintaining their shifts and were embedded in many different neighborhoods throughout the area.

Despite having to endure cold temperatures, most Soldiers thought it was a small price to pay for the opportunity to play a supporting role in such a historic event.

"It's a huge honor to be here," said Spc. Flora Sasa, a supply specialist with Company C, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Sasa, a naturalized citizen from Sudan now residing in Des Moines, was also activated last summer to assist with flood relief.

For Sasa, the experience was larger than the event – it was all about the local citizens of Washington, D.C.

"A local church welcomed the troops and opened the door for us, welcoming us to get warm," said Sasa.

These Soldiers had very little time to prepare for this mission. On Friday, Jan. 9, the National Guard Bureau, Washington, D.C., requested approximately 1,000 Soldiers and Airmen from the Iowa National Guard to help support the presidential inauguration, due to increased operational requirements and growing participant estimates.

However, once the Soldiers were notified they shifted into high gear to prepare.

In the days prior to the inauguration, Soldiers prepared by for their missions by reconnoitering checkpoints, rehearsing procedures and coordinating with other local, state and federal agencies.

"We did a lot of recon work, such as checking out the area to get a feel for things," said Pfc. Dustin Wendt, a network systems analyst with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "We also conducted a lot of basic tasks before the actual missions. On our downtime, the troops were also able to get in some sight seeing.

"We are so thankful that our commanders let us take the time out to go see the national monuments," said Wendt, a Cedar Rapids native. "The memorials really touch you. This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

For many of these Iowa Soldiers, this was their first time visiting Washington, D.C. As for the local civilians, they seemed very happy to see the Soldiers on the ground.

"The people's gratitude has been very positive and overwhelming," said Sgt. Kayla Davis of Cedar Rapids, an automatic logistics specialist with Company B, Brigade Special Troops Battalion. "It was an honor to be here. It didn't matter what task you were assigned, just being a part of this team and taskforce makes it all worth while."

Approximately 9,300 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from 25 states supplemented security, communication, medical evacuation and other support during the presidential inauguration.

Once inauguration operations wind down, the troops will head back to Iowa, where they will resume their daily routines, after having both witnessed presidential history, and being part of it.

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