Maryland is doing its part to help with the Inauguration of President Elect Barack Obama. On Monday morning 90 soldiers with the Maryland Army National Guard left for Washington, DC.
The soldiers will help with crowd control during Inauguration activities. Nearly 1,200 soldiers are in DC to support the Inauguration. The soldiers are part of the 175th Infantry Regiment.
"I'm excited about it. I'm confident I know we will do a good job down there. I'm honored to be able to perform my duty as a soldier and be a part of a historical event," said Sgt. Peter Butkus with the Maryland National Guard.
This is the largest call up of the Maryland National Guard for peaceful domestic operations.
"We are here for the city. It's a celebration on their behalf and we want to make sure they are safe and have a good time. We are there to support the civilian authorities and it's what we do. This is going to be a great day for everybody and our presence is going to help so they can feel safe," CSM Franklin Wright with the Maryland National Guard.
The Maryland National Guard is joining nearly 10,000 other troops in providing security and assistance.
