Pennsylvania National Guard to Support Presidential Inauguration

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Some 1,300 Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers and airmen will join a team of 6,000 National Guard members to provide security, crises response, traffic and crowd control during the 57th presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. on Monday.

Pennsylvania guard members will assist the District of Columbia's Department of Transportation and Department of Fire and Emergency Services, as well as the U.S. Park Police.

"It is an honor for Pennsylvania to once again play such an important role in this historic event honoring our nation's commander-in-chief," Maj. Gen. Wesley Craig, Pennsylvania adjutant general said. "Participating in this event also allows us to demonstrate and re-enforce many of the skills that make the Soldiers and Airmen of the Pennsylvania National Guard a valuable asset to our citizens when we are called to duty within our state borders."

Pennsylvania soldiers and airmen from several units across the state are participating in the mission. They report to Fort Indiantown Gap throughout the week for training before mobilizing to the Washington, D.C., area later this week.

The Pennsylvania National Guard has supported previous inaugurations and played a similar role during the 2009 event. Military support for inaugurations is a tradition that dates back more than 220 years to George Washington's journey from Mount Vernon, Va., to New York City, during which he was escorted by the U.S. military as well as state and local militia.

To follow the Pennsylvania National Guard's activities related to the 2013 Presidential Inauguration and more, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/panationalguard or follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/panationalguard.

Media contact: Staff Sgt. Matt Jones, 717-943-4328

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED