District of Columbia National Guard supports Fourth of July mission

Photo By Gigail Cureton | The District of Columbia National Guard 257th Army Band kicks off the National Independence Day Parade, July 4 along Constitution Ave. in Washington, D.C. The 257th, known as the Band of the Nation’s Capital, has the honor of leading the elite marching units of each of the five uniformed services at the start of the annual holiday tradition. The parade draws thousands of spectators to the nation’s capital and is the prelude to a day filled with music, food, and fireworks in celebration of America’s independence. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. G.H. Cureton)  

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES

07.04.2015

Story by Robert W. Mitchell 

715th Public Affairs Detachment

WASHINGTON, D.C. - While buckets of pouring rain and cloudy skies may have put a damper on this year’s Fourth of July festivities, the Capital Guardians showed up strong as its 257th Army Band lead the parade and 150 guardsmen assisted the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) with crowd and traffic control in the nation’s capital.

“We are here to reinforce crowd control and make sure things run smoothly,” said Army Private 1st Class Jamal Talbert, a military policeman with the District of Columbia Army National Guard (DCNG) 275th Military Police Company.

Talbert and other Soldiers parked their High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) at various traffic control points throughout the city as part of an annual joint operation between MPD and DCNG.

DCNG, working alongside local police and other first responders, were tasked with helping pedestrians safely cross the street, providing directions and ensuring motor vehicles moved along carefully and smoothly.

“This makes the workload easier. With more eyes on everything this makes things safer,” said a firefighter from Engine Company 21 in the northwest section of the city. He did not want to be named.

Firefighters joined MPD and DCNG Soldiers at a traffic control point (TCP) at the intersection of 14th St and Independence Avenue.

At another traffic control point, Army Spc. Muhammed Almaroof, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 275th Military Police Company, halted pedestrians while allowing an unmarked police vehicle to drive through. He applauded the mission and welcomed the chance to connect with the community.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase your military skills and the public gets the opportunity to see what you can do as a Soldier,” Almaroof said. “It’s good to volunteer for missions like this, it makes you understand why you join the Army National Guard.”

For Army Spc. Khalid Lyaacoubi, also with the 275th, the Independence Day mission presented a great opportunity for the DC National Guard to interact with the local people. “It’s a great day to be here. It’s Independence Day and I’m proud to be serving this country,” he said.

Lyaacoubi joined the DCNG in 2009, but this was his first time participating in the Fourth of July mission. He never imagined he would get the chance to serve the community in this way. “I didn’t think I would be driving a Humvee [HMMWV] in the nation’s capitol on this day. This makes me proud to be a Soldier,” he said.

Despite the rain and long hours, many of the Soldiers were satisfied with their participation in the holiday mission. “It boosts the military image and there is better interaction with the community. Hopefully it will get people to join the D.C. National Guard,” said Army Spc. Jonathan Carter, a food service specialist with the 275th.

• Date Taken: 07.04.2015
• Date Posted: 07.04.2015 20:34
• Story ID: 169075
• Location: WASHINGTON, DC, US