229th Army Band conducts security leading through inauguration

Photo By Sgt. Arcadia Hammack | Members of the Maryland Army National Guard’s 229th Army Band pose for a photo following their shift providing security near the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C, during the 59th Presidential Inauguration, Jan. 20, 2021. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women were called to duty to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Arcadia Hammack)  

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES

01.20.2021

Story by Sgt. Arcadia Hammack 

58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers of 229th Army Band from Parkville, Maryland, conduct security in support of the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2021.

At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and district authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration.

Spc. Rachael Jones, a french horn player with the 229th Army Band and a graduate of the Peabody Institute with a Bachelor’s in Music, is one of 24 soldiers from the band serving in Washington D.C.

“I'm grateful that I can be in the capital, to see democracy at work and to protect democracy as a citizen, and to be using my rights the best I can, as a Soldier.” said Jones.

The day after Jones graduated Advanced Individual Training (AIT) on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization classified COVID-19 as a pandemic. Since her return, she has been a part of two missions, none of which include the french horn.

Her first mission was to support local authorities in Baltimore in June 2020, and her current mission is to provide support to the 59th Presidential Inauguration where she and her unit have been providing security near the Washington Union Station with the MDNG’s 115th Military Police Battalion from Salisbury, Maryland, that has approximately 330 soldiers on the ground..

“So a little bit less music, a little bit more Soldier, but it’s something I'm grateful for,” Jones said.

Many of the musicians in the band said they miss playing their instruments and performing, but echoed Jones in performing the mission.

“What it means to be a Soldier is to have military bearing, and understand that we swore to serve our country and to support the [Constitution],” said Spc. Brandon Fru Samuelh, a tuba player with the band and a student at Morgan State University studying music performance. “We're not here to side with anyone. We're here to make sure everyone and everything is good.”

Being flexible and resilient is also one of the keys to mission success.

“I have a really resilient group of Soldiers, really adaptable,” said 1st Sgt. Sarah McIver, first sergeant of the band and a flute player of 33 years . “I just can't say enough how proud I am of them during these times and how everyone is just really happy to be here supporting in whatever way we can.”

That includes putting down their instruments, said McIver.

“Without any hesitation, when we called them up, they just came and were willing to put everything down and work along with the military police to do our job and protect the [U.S] capitol,” she said.

• Date Taken: 01.20.2021
• Date Posted: 04.01.2021 16:57
• Story ID: 387534
• Location: WASHINGTON, DC, US