WASHINGTON, D.C. –
Citizen-soldiers and airmen from the District of Columbia National Guard will be providing support on Aug. 28 for the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in the National Capital Region.
Capital Guardians, who serve and live in the local community, will support local and federal agencies to ensure public safety throughout the day-long event in D.C. Soldiers and airmen will provide crowd management and traffic control in support of the Metropolitan Police Department and the D.C. Fire & Emergency Medical Services Department. Additional support includes partnering with District organizations, such as the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, to ensure immediate response to any perceived threats to the safety and security of attendees.
The D.C. National Guard is made up of soldiers and airmen who support the community—many living in the National Capital Region—working as police, firefighters and government leaders supporting civilian authorities. District Guard Members have a rich heritage within the NCR and have been protecting the Capital and defending the Nation since 1802.
“The soldiers and airman of the District of Columbia National Guard are dedicated to protect and serve the citizens of the District of Columbia and all who visit the nation’s capital”, said Brig. Gen. Mark Maldonado, Commander, D.C. Air National Guard and Director, Joint Staff.
“We are committed in supporting the public’s right to peacefully assemble during large events in the capital, and the D.C. National Guard is specifically qualified to assist our federal and local law enforcement partners and community with traffic control, crowd management and security”.
Today, Capital Guardians remain strong with more than 2,700 soldiers and airmen providing air sovereignty over the NCR, transporting senior government leaders, supporting domestic operations and providing mission-ready soldiers and airmen for global engagement.