Navy Lieutenant Garcia supports presidential inauguration

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Dylan Nuckolls | U.S. Navy Lt. Marcus Garcia, a Colorado Springs, CO. native, joined the Joint Task Force - National Capital Region in support of the 58th Presidential Inauguration, which will take place Jan. 20, 2017. The task force is charged with coordinating all military ceremonial support for the inaugural period. As a joint service committee, it includes members from all branches of the armed forces of the United States, including Reserve and National Guard components. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dylan Nuckolls)  

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES

10.19.2016

Courtesy Story

Joint Task Force-National Capital Region

U.S. Navy Lt. Marcus Garcia, a Colorado Springs, Colo. native, joined the Joint Task Force - National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) in support of the 58th Presidential Inauguration, which will take place Jan. 20, 2017. The task force is charged with coordinating all military ceremonial support for the inaugural period. As a joint service committee, it includes members from all branches of the United States Armed Forces, including Reserve and National Guard components.

“It is a true honor to be part of such a historic event as a Presidential Inauguration. Regardless of the current state of politics in the United States, the military has a significant role to play in honoring and inaugurating the new president of the country,” said Garcia. “In my role as emergency and consequence management planner, I feel a keen sense of duty in this role in that there is expected to be well more than 1 million attendees at the 2017 Inauguration and the U.S. Military in the National Capital Region plays a supremely significant role in keeping them safe.”

The armed forces have participated in the inauguration of the United States president since April 30, 1789, when members of the U.S. Army, local militia units and Revolutionary War veterans escorted George Washington to his first inauguration ceremony at Federal Hall in New York City. More than 220 years later, the participation of the armed forces continues to honor the commander in chief, recognize civilian control of the armed forces and celebrate democracy.

Participation by the armed forces traditionally includes musical units, marching bands, color guards, salute batteries and honor cordons. Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen also provide invaluable assistance to the Presidential Inaugural Committee and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inauguration Ceremonies.

The Secretary of Defense authorized 820 service members to coordinate DoD support in and around the nation’s capital. On Inauguration Day, more than 5,000 service members will participate in the 58th Presidential Inauguration ceremonies and other events.

Just as military men and women show their commitment to this country while deployed around the world, participation of service members in this traditional event demonstrates the military’s support to the nation’s commander in chief.

For more information about military support to the 58th Presidential Inauguration or Lt. Marcus Garcia, please contact JTF-NCR Public Affairs Media Operations at 202-685-3161 or [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 10.19.2016
• Date Posted: 10.19.2016 07:59
• Story ID: 212343
• Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US