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Getting Ready: 55th Presidential Inauguration
Photo: See caption below.
SETTING THE STAGE – U.S. Army Spc. Caleb Halten and Pfc. Class Derek Northenscold fire rounds from a 3-inch anti-tank gun used in World War II during a rehearsal ceremony for the 55th Presidential Inauguration. Halten and Northenscold are a part of the U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery working with the Joint Task Force - Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Donald P. Coleman.  More Photos
Army Staff Sgt. Robiee Ramsey handles a trouble call received for an inoperable computer system. Ramsey provides technical support as part of his assigned duties as a help desk clerk with the Joint Task Force - Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (JTF-AFIC). JTF-AFIC is a joint service organization charged with coordinating all military ceremonial support for the 55th Presidential inauguration, which traditionally includes musical units, marching bands, color guards, firing details and salute batteries. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Cynthia De Leon
Members of the Army Band, "Pershing's Own" practice at the Capitol steps during the rehearsal for the Presidential Inauguration on the Jan. 20, 2005. The 2005 Joint Task Force - Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC) carries on a more than 200-year-old tradition for the 55th Presidential Inauguration of honoring the new commander-in-chief and recognizing civilian control of the military. AFIC is a joint service organization established by the Secretary of the Army at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, and is charged with coordinating all military ceremonial support traditionally including musical units, marching bands, color guards, firing details and salute batteries. Defense Dept. Photo by U.S. Navy Yeoman Second Class Donna Lou Morgan
Army Master Sgt. Lonnie Johnson, the fife group leader for the United States Army 3rd Infantry Regiment ,The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, gives a critique at the end of a qualification test march prior to the 2005 Presidential Inauguration. The march was performed to qualify two members for their first performances with the corps at the inauguration. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Tracy DeMarco
Soprano vocalist Master Sergeant Amy T. Dolan notes minor adjustments in the arrangement of the Air Force Hymn that the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants will perform at the National Prayer Breakfast January 28, 2005. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force SSgt Jennifer Gangemi
Tech. Sgt. Bradley S. Bennett is believed to be the first active-duty Air Force soloist selected to sing the National Anthem at a Presidential Inauguration, and will perform Jan. 20, 2005, for the formal beginning of President George W. Bush's second term. Bennett is a tenor vocalist with The United States Air Force Band's Singing Sergeants, the official chorus of the United States Air Force, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. Originally from Kent, Ohio, he joined the United States Air Force in 2000. During his Air Force career, Bennett has performed in several notable events, including the Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial Service, the September 11th Flight 93 Remembrance Ceremony, the Ronald Reagan State Funeral Service in the Capitol Building Rotunda and was featured soloist for Washington, D.C.'s 2003 National Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jennifer Gangemi
COMMENTARY
Moment of Truth is Upon Us
ARLINGTON, Va. , Jan. 13, 2005 – It's hard to believe that the Inaugural Period is just around the corner. It's time to stand and deliver. For many of us, this may be the most publicly visible mission we ever undertake. U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Duane Lodrige, Joint Task Force-Armed Forces Inaugural Committee Deputy Commander More
Senior NCOs, Petty Officers
Will Narrate Inauguration

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2005 – The military's highest ranking senior noncommissioned officers and chief petty officers will conduct their first joint press conference Jan. 20, before taking their places along the parade route as commentators for the 2005 Presidential Inauguration. Story
More Inauguration Information
   RELATED STORIES
• Military Support Group Prepares for Inauguration
• 'President's Own' to Perform, Carries on Tradition
• Civililan, Military Agencies Practice on National Mall
• Secretary Ridge Pledges 'Unprecedented' Security
• From Southwest Asia to Washington
• President Wants 'Prominent' Military Role
• Quantico Marines Prepare for 2005 Inauguration
• Army, Air National Guard to Take Part
• Airman Makes 'Inaugural' Performance
• Sgt. Major to Follow Father’s Role in Inauguration
• U.S. Armed Forces High on President's List
   PHOTO ESSAYS
• Standing In
• Setting the Stage
• Committee Maps Out the Inauguration
• Military Support: Making It Happen
Related Links
• 2005 Inauguration Day Events
• Fact Sheet: Presidential Escort
• Fact Sheet: Marching Units
• Image - Full Parade Route
• Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC)
• AFIC History (pdf)
• Joint Congressional Committee on Ceremonies
• Presidential Inaugural Committee
• The President's Own - U.S. Marine Band
• 2005 Presidential Inauguration - Security Event
During practice Jan. 13 at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., the Air Force Band rehearses the march song Trombone Triumphant, one of three selections it will play in the presidential inauguration parade Jan. 20. The other songs are The Washington Post March by John Phillip Sousa, and, of course, The Air Force Song. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
Air Force Band Gets Ready
For Inauguration at Andrews
ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md., Jan. 14, 2005 — After a 22-year Air Force music career, Col. Dennis Layendecker finally will march in the biggest parade of his life Jan. 20 as he prepares to lead the 99-piece Air Force Band down Pennsylvania Avenue during the president's inauguration parade. For military musicians, this event arguably is bigger than marching in the Rose Bowl Parade or playing at halftime at the Super Bowl.  Story
Inauguration Showcases
Pride of Armed Forces
WASHINGTON , Jan. 14, 2005 – The 55th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2005, will demonstrate the professionalism of the Armed Forces, according to Maj. Gen. Galen B. Jackman, who serves as commander of the Joint Task Force - Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. Story
  Standing In
REHEARSAL – U.S. Marine Cpl. Mathew Armendariz, Joint Task Force-Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, playing the role of the president of the United states, waits for the rehearsal of the 55th Presidential Inauguration to begin Jan.9, 2005. The committee is a joint-service organization responsible for coordinating all military ceremonial support to the 2005 Presidential Inauguration, Jan. 20, 2005. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cherie Thurlby More Photos
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