Hail to the Chief!

9 February 2013 -- Tennessee Air National Guard personnel, stationed at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, traveled to the Washington D.C. area in support of the Jan. 21 inauguration of Barak Obama as president.
The local Airmen, from the 134th Security Forces Squadron and the 119th Command and Control Squadron, were joined by other soldiers and airmen from units throughout the Tennessee National Guard. All of the units supported the District of Columbia National Guard as part of a task force of approximately 6,000 National Guard members from 15 states and territories.
The members of the 134 SFS assisted other federal and local law enforcement agencies with crowd management and security for the event.
An eight-person team from the 119 CACS provided a self-sustaining, mobile satellite communications-based communication system in direct support of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
We've been supporting the presidential inauguration for many years," said Maj. Gen. Terry "Max" Haston, Tennessee's Adjutant General. "It is a time honored tradition, and I'm proud the Tennessee National Guard is involved."
Military support at the inauguration is designed to celebrate democracy and honor the commander in chief while recognizing civilian control of the military.
Providing military ceremonial support to the inauguration dates back to the first president. When George Washington began his inaugural journey from his home in Virginia to New York City, local militias joined his inaugural procession as it passed through their towns along the way. When Washington arrived in New York City, a presidential escort composed of members of the U.S. Army, local militia units and Revolutionary War veterans accompanied him to Federal Hall where he took the presidential oath. The military has continued this inaugural tradition at all 56 inaugurations since.

The Tennessee Department of Military contributed significantly to this article.