Air Force reservists participate in inaugural parade

From the presidential reviewing stand, First Lady Michelle Obama; Suzie Schwartz, wife of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz; President Barack Obama; General Schwartz; and Vice President Joe Biden salute the Air Force Reserve Command's 459th Air Refueling Wing during the Presidential Inaugural Parade Jan. 20, 2009. The 90-member, all-volunteer marching unit is based at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle)

Air Force reservists participate in Inaugural parade

Published Jan. 22, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

WASHINGTON -- Ninety members of the 459th Air Refueling Wing from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., braved bone-chilling winds Jan. 20 to form an all-volunteer marching troop in the presidential inaugural parade.

Weather and intense security notwithstanding, hundreds of wing hopefuls offered their time and participation for the historic event. The result was a diverse formation of four officers and 86 enlisted Airmen marching in the parade for President Barack Obama, America's first black commander in chief.

"This is truly a proud and awe-inspiring moment not just for the 459th, but for the world," said Lt. Col. Michael E. Laughton, 459th ARW command executive. "The Air Force Reserve is a unique organization of all career fields: doctors, lawyers, plumbers, firemen. They excel on the outside and yet volunteer their time to serve, whether through deployments or an incredible history-making event such as this."

Reservists who had marched in previous inaugurations seemed to share the giddiness of first-time participants.

"Oh my goodness, look at all these people. Wow! This is something I never thought I would see in my lifetime," said wing member Senior Airman Bridgette Gilmore, as she peered out of the charter bus into the crowd. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)