D.C. National Guard Hosts Ceremony Recognizing DC Safe and Beautiful Partners
Photo By Ayan Sheikh |
Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, Commanding General (Interim) of the District of......read moreread more
Photo By Ayan Sheikh | Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, Commanding General (Interim) of the District of Columbia National Guard, hosts a Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremony recognizing partner law enforcement agencies at the D.C. Armory, Feb. 26, 2026. Distinguished guests included U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi; Gady Serralta, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service; and Jeffery Carroll, Interim Chief of Police for Metropolitan Police Department. The ceremony recognized officers from 10 local and federal law enforcement agencies for their partnership with the National Guard and contributions to public safety in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission. Officers received the District of Columbia National Guard Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal or Distinguished Service Medal based on their individual achievements and level of impact. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Ayan Sheikh) see less
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D.C. National Guard Hosts Ceremony Recognizing DC Safe and Beautiful Partners
WASHINGTON — Uniforms from across the federal and local law enforcement spectrum filled the D.C. Armory on Feb. 26 as the District of Columbia National Guard gathered to honor the partners it relied on to help keep the nation’s capital safe.
Hosted by Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II,Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard, the Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremony centered on cooperation among agencies that share responsibility for protecting the District’s residents and the millions of visitors who pass through it each year.
Among those in attendance were U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Director of U.S. Marshals Service Gady Serralta, and Jeffery Carroll, Interim Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.
The ceremony opened with a tribute to members of the law enforcement and military community who were killed or wounded in the line of duty, underscoring the personal stakes behind the city’s public safety mission. Organizers honored the memory of Metropolitan Police Officer Terry Bennett and U.S. Army Sgt. Sarah Beckstrom, who were killed while serving, and recognized U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was critically wounded while serving his community.
Gen. Blanchard framed the mission in moral terms, tying public safety to the nation’s founding ideals.
“Freedom is not free, and it is a debt whose interest must be paid every day,” he said. “Each of you in this audience, in some way, youhave written a check to cover that debt. It’s payable upon demand, up to and including your life, to secure freedom for our communities and our nation.”
He said law enforcement officers and Guardsmen were called to confront danger so others could live without fear.
“When violence breaks out and the average person runs from danger, you sprint towards it,” Blanchard said. “When the winds of chaos blow, you stand strong, shielding others and bringing hope to those who are in the worst moments they can imagine.”
Attorney General Bondi told the audience that the Guard’s partnerships with civilian agencies had become a point of pride at the highest levels of government.
“Thank you for standing on the front lines to make America safe again. Today is about teamwork. It’s about a shared mission, and it’s about the incredible results that have all been achieved because of you,” she told the audience.
Gen. Blanchard said the work of the agencies represented went beyond statistics and focused on protecting everyday life in the city.
“Each day that you put on a badge or a uniform, know that you represent the very best of our communities, the very best of our nation,” he said. “You represent hope, you represent opportunity, you represent freedom.”
Officers from 10 agencies were recognized, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Park Police, Amtrak Police Department, Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority Metro Transit Police Department, Homeland Security Council and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Tactical Medicine unit.
They received the District of Columbia National Guard Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal or Distinguished Service Medal based on factors such as direct impact on Guard operations, consistency in partnership and level of meritorious action.
One example cited during the ceremony involved 26 members of the U.S. Secret Service who responded after two West Virginia National Guard service members were attacked Nov. 26, 2025. Officers who provided life-saving care at the scene received the Meritorious Service Medal, while others who helped secure the area and manage communications received Commendation Medals.
Serralta said the collaboration between agencies had been tested repeatedly during crises.
“We have worked side by side during emergencies and natural disasters, by providing security and medical assistance, helping to restore law and order and bringing a sense of calm to chaos,” he said.
Gen. Blanchard said the mission ultimately aimed to ensure that every person in the District could live without fear.
“When I think about your mission, boiled down to its core, it is to ensure that regardless of what neighborhood, what street, what community, what state, wherever they reside, wherever they’re walking, every citizen enjoys freedom, opportunity and hope."
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