Washington, D.C. — Soldiers of the Georgia National Guard mobilized on Sept. 14 at Fort Stewart, GA, where they completed qualifications and soon headed to Washington, D.C. to support the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission. Today, these soldiers are patrolling communities around the D.C. Armory.
Spc. Allison Tovalin, a military police officer with the 179th Military Police Company, 170th Military Police Battalion, 201st Regional Support Group, Georgia National Guard, is one of many soldiers participating in their first mission at the nation's capital.
“It is my first time coming to D.C. [...] You get to see what tourists don’t see [...] You actually get to see day-to-day life,” Tovalin said.
Their mission primarily involves patrolling areas of the District to enhance public safety and provide support to local law enforcement agencies.
“Police officers tell us a lot of their stress has been relieved because we’re here. Hearing that from them is definitely like, ‘Okay, we’re doing something,’” Tovalin added.
She recalled a memorable interaction that occurred on H Street Corridor, where a local officer expressed how the presence of the National Guard had eased his concerns.
“One officer pulled us aside [...] He was talking to us about how things have changed since the National Guard arrived,” Tovalin said. “He said the biggest thing was that he felt relief.”
She added that on their patrol around the D.C. Armory, the community response has been positive, explaining how passersby in vehicles, on bikes, and students just released from school have been thanking the service members, expressing appreciation, and often excited to say hello or take photos with the soldiers.
Tovalin feels that knowing that they are there to provide reinforcement makes it worthwhile, “that's the biggest part [...] we’re doing something, that’s the big aha moment.”
| Date Taken: | 09.23.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.13.2025 11:28 |
| Story ID: | 550113 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON , DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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