Bigfork native planner for Presidential Inauguration

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Christian Downward, a Bigfork native, was assigned as an inaugural planner coordinating all military units involved in the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Monday for the Joint Task Force - National Capital Region.

The task force was charged with coordinating all military ceremonial support for the inaugural period. As a joint service committee, it included members from all branches of the armed forces of the United States, including Reserve and National Guard components.

“I’m excited because this is an opportunity to support the President of the United States and the American people,” Downward said. “As a member of the Department of Defense, that is what we do.”

Just as military men and women show their commitment to this country while deployed around the globe, participation of service members in this traditional event demonstrates our military’s support to the nation’s commander in chief.

The Secretary of Defense authorized nearly 200 service members to be assigned to JTF-NCR by Inauguration Day to coordinate Department of Defense support in and around the District of Columbia. In addition to the JTF-NCR service members, historically as many as 5,000 service members have participated in the celebration, both in view of the public and behind the scenes.

Participation by the armed forces traditionally includes musical units, marching bands, color guards, salute batteries and honor cordons. Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen also provide assistance to the Presidential Inaugural Committee and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inauguration Ceremonies.

The U.S. Armed Forces have participated in the inauguration of the president of the United States since April 30, 1789, when members of the U.S. Army, local militia units and Revolutionary War veterans escorted George Washington to his first inauguration ceremony at Federal Hall in New York City. More than 220 years later, the participation of the armed forces continues to honor our commander in chief, recognize civilian control of the armed forces and celebrate democracy.