Fort Bragg Soldiers to March in the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade

Over 5,000 service members from all branches of the military will be marching in this year's Presidential Inaugural Parade, including around 250 soldiers from Fort Bragg.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, attended briefings and a reception at Fort Myer, Va. on Jan. 7, 2013.

According to a Fayetteville Observer news report the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Shane Morgan told them that 88 soldiers will march in the parade, while 160 soldiers will support inaugural activities.

The parade is on Jan. 21 and follows the Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol.  2,807 groups applied to march in the parade. All applications were collected and organized by JTF-NCR and 317 were submitted to the PIC, which is appointed by the President-Elect. These applications were reviewed by the PIC with assistance of the JTF-NCR, including members of several military bands, musical acts and drill teams.     

Since 1789 the Armed Forces have participated in the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony in honor of the Commander in Chief. On this year's historic date it is also a United States federal holiday to commemorate and honor the Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, JR.