FORT BELVOIR, Va. — More than 600 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have arrived at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, in preparation for their role in the Army’s 250th birthday celebration and parade, set to take place Saturday in Washington.
Units from nearly two dozen states will be taking part in the celebration, both behind the scenes and as part of the parade and other activities.
Approximately 400 Soldiers with the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division will march in the parade, representing the division’s World War I lineage. The division’s band also will march and perform in the parade.
Army National Guard Soldiers also will man static aviation and communication equipment displays and take part in a fitness competition and an enlistment and re-enlistment ceremony as part of birthday celebrations on the National Mall.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of Army history,” said Army Maj. Matthew Gordon, commander of the 165th Military Police Battalion, Pennsylvania Army National Guard. “We’re proud to help ensure the public can celebrate this milestone.”
Behind the scenes, Soldiers and Airmen are slated to man traffic control points and take part in crowd management efforts and security operations throughout the district.
“The National Guard is positioned in a really unique way to partner with local authorities,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. David Schonberg, commander of the 113th Wing Force Support Squadron, District of Columbia Air National Guard. “That’s one of the core things we take pride in.”
The behind-the-scenes mission is nothing new for many Guard members.
“We’ve done similar missions, like the inauguration,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Morris, with the 337th Engineer Battalion, Pennsylvania Army Guard. “Our Soldiers are trained and ready.”
Army Guard members also welcome the opportunity to engage with the public, Morris said.
“They want to help. That’s why they’re here,” he said. “We’re celebrating, and our Soldiers will put their best foot forward.”
The Department of Homeland Security requested Guard assistance to help ensure a safe environment during the events.
The Army National Guard is one component of the Army’s Total Force and accounts for approximately 39% of the Army’s operational forces. Army Guard Soldiers support combat missions overseas and, at the direction of their governors, respond to domestic emergencies at home.