Barracks Marines support 57th Presidential Inauguration

Photo By Staff Sgt. Raul Pacheco | Marines assigned to Marine Barracks Washington march during the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, Jan. 21, 2013. Military involvement in the presidential inauguration dates back to April 30, 1789, when members of the U.S. Army, local militia units and Revolutionary War veterans escorted George Washington to his first inauguration ceremony. (DOD photo by by U.S. Army Specialist Raul Pacheco)  

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES

01.21.2013

Story by Sgt. Dengrier Baez 

Marine Barracks Washington

WASHINGTON - More than 350 Marines with Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., supported the 57th Presidential Inauguration here Jan. 21.

Barracks Marines provided support for the President of the United States Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony and inaugural parade.

Much of the support came from Companies A and B, the Barracks’ two ceremonial Marching Companies. Nearly 30 Marines from Company A supported the event and Company B provided more than 80 Marines during the inaugural celebration.

“I got to participate in something that not every service member gets on opportunity to be in,” said Lance Cpl. Tim Parrish Jr., 21, a ceremonial marcher with Company A and a native of Leesburg, Fla. “As an African-American Marine it was an honor to be part of such event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.”

Marching and musical elements of every branch of the armed forces as well as civilian components were featured during the parade, however, musical support for the inauguration ceremony itself was provided by “The Presidents Own” United States Marine Band. “The President’s Own” performed on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol playing Eugene Bagley's “National Emblem,” “The Star-Spangled Banner” and other traditional music both before and after the 44th president’s swearing-in.

Following the ceremony, Barracks Marines supported the official escort of the president back to the White House. Additionally, five select Marine officers from the “Oldest Post” led the Marine Corps component of the parade comprised of the United States Marines Band and an active and reserve company of Marines representing the entire Corps.

Other support duties were fulfilled by Barracks Marines such as the carrying of the official presidential colors, and the escorting of special guests at the Capitol building during the inauguration.

"There were a lot of different parts to the inauguration and I'm very grateful to have been a part of the parade staff, where we got to really show how much pride we have in our nation as a service member and as a citizen," said Capt. Edward Hubbard, 28, a member of the Marine Corps service staff and native of Rye, N.Y.

Military support to the presidential inaugural is part of a grand military tradition, dating back to 1789.

Barracks Marines support ceremonial and security missions in the nation’s capital.

Each year, the Marines support more than 30 parades and hundreds of ceremonies and functions to include funerals and sporting events across the country and globe while maintaining proficiency in their respective military occupational specialties and meeting their annual Marine Corps training requirements.

• Date Taken: 01.21.2013
• Date Posted: 01.23.2013 16:41
• Story ID: 100908
• Location: WASHINGTON, DC, US
• Hometown: WASHINGTON, DC, US