Photo By 1st Sgt. Zachary Holden | U.S. Army Pfc. Amelia Shimojima, 1186th Military Police company, Oregon National...... read more read more
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Guard troops from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories mobilized nearly 25,000 Guardsmen to support law enforcement in the nation's capital during the 59th presidential inauguration.
This included nearly 30 members of the Oregon National Guard’s 1186th Military Police Company from Salem, Oregon, who first arrived on Jan. 15, 2021, prior to the presidential inauguration for Joseph R. Biden Jr., on Jan. 20, 2021.
“The soldiers and airmen will be under the command and control of Maj. Gen. William Walker, the Commanding General of D.C. National Guard, and are providing security, communications, logistics and coordination with all supported agencies,” said Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau as Guardsmen began to arrive. “As always, our first priority is to protect people and property – and the safety and wellbeing of our National Guard personnel and their families.”
Hokanson has been the chief of the National Guard Bureau since Aug. 3, 2020, having previously served as the Director of the Army National Guard and from August 2013 to July 2015 he served as The Adjutant General for the Oregon Military Department. He said that having the National Guard provide security dates back to the first inauguration of George Washington.
“The forefathers of today’s National Guard were present for the inauguration of George Washington, and have been part of every inauguration since,” Hokanson said, drawing a historical line from past to present. “I visit with these men and women every night and they understand the importance of this mission. They are also proven, prepared, and proud to do their part to ensure a peaceful and safe inauguration of our incoming commander-in-chief.”
President Washington’s first inauguration took place in New York City, from the balcony of the Federal Hall on April 30, 1789. Beginning with Thomas Jefferson’s inauguration on March 4, 1801, the new U.S. Capital in Washington, D.C. has witnessed the confirmation of the U.S. Presidency every four years.
Since the 1981 inauguration of Ronald Reagan, the ceremony has been held at the west front steps of the United States Capitol facing the National Mall toward the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Yet with the safeguards in place for the coronavirus pandemic, and following the insurrection at the U.S. Capital on January 6, which disrupted the assembled joint session of Congress to count electoral votes, the added number of National Guard members were activated to maintain crucial security.
This is not the first time that members of the 1186th have been entrusted with security for presidential inauguration support, but for many members, the 2021 formality was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
“I was super excited to come to be part of the security, but I did have some anxiety with what happened on January 6th,” said Pfc. Amelia Shimojima, describing her initial excitement and apprehension with being part of the inauguration support. “Yet the closer the date got I wasn’t as worried, I knew I would be with my unit and the people who would have my back -- and I knew I was going to be in Washington D.C., which was an honor all its own.”
Shimojima was quick to credit her teammates and leadership that prepared some of the younger Soldiers for the essential security tasks they would be assigned to conduct.
“Being here with the 1186th Military Police Company and the Soldiers that we’ve brought, it’s been a great experience as we’re a pretty tight nit group, and the leadership has been fantastic,” she said. “I feel really prepared for our mission here in Washington, D.C.”
During the evening of January 18th, Gen. Hokanson caught up with many members of the 1186th Military Police Company while they were on their security mission for the U.S. Capital near the White House.
“First of all…it’s great to see you guys, when did you get here?” he said, eager to see fellow Oregonians in uniform and on a mission. “I’ve been in the Oregon Guard for 25 years and worked with some amazing people, can’t thank you enough for your service.”
Hokanson reassured them that this has been an unusual period in the nation’s history but a historic time for the National Guard.
“I wish you guys were coming here under better circumstances, but it’s awesome to have you here,” he said. “The last 12 months have been unprecedented, we continue to respond to every mission, both here and at home – and overseas.”
Meeting the National Guard Chief added to the experience for the members and resonated with Shimojima in particular.
“It was really cool, and that he took time to find us here and come talk to us,” she said. “This whole experience, it’s been an honor, but it’s also somewhat surreal to think back in 10 to 20 years, that I’ll be able can tell my kids that I worked on security for the 2020 Inauguration.”
| Date Taken: | 02.03.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2021 20:08 |
| Story ID: | 394524 |
| Location: | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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