Four DSC sergeants take part in presidential history

FORT EUSTIS, Va. (USTCNS) --- "Even without the radio, cell phone, and hand signal, I knew it was time for the 21-gun salute by the roar of the crowd-the new president had just been sworn in," said Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Anderson, noncommissioned officer in charge of troop control for the Armed Forces Inauguration Committee.

Among his many other logistics and liaison inaugural assignments, the Military Traffic Management Command - Deployment Support Command soldier also served as backup signal man for the firing of the gun salute to the newly appointed 43rd president, George W. Bush.

January 20, 2001 marked more than 200 years of military participation in change of command ceremonies.

The Colonial Army escorted George Washington to his swearing-in ceremony on April 30, 1789, at the then U.S. capitol Federal Hall in New York, N.Y., to begin the tradition.

Anderson, whose temporary duty spanned 51 days, was in charge of the logistics and credentialing for many of the units participating in the event. In all, he was responsible for the control and direction of more than 600 of the high visibility participants.

"The joint atmosphere with all of the branches of service merged together was incredible," said Anderson. "We all worked as one--no egos. Getting the work done well was our only objective."

"The longest (day) was when we had to hold a full dress rehearsal at 3 a.m. the only time the capital area was quiet," explained Anderson. "We shut down the entire capital area to hold the rehearsal for a partial parade, salute guns, and role players taking the place of the VIPs."

The most surprising event was an unscheduled visit by then-Vice President-elect Richard Cheney, according to Anderson.

"We were all working so hard, his visit was a real morale booster and quite a thrill to be so close to him," Anderson said.

Anderson was a member of the initial 200 service members reporting for duty in December 2000. The full complement arrived later, including three other DSC soldiers: Sgt. 1st Class Andre Johnson, plans noncommissioned officer, 596th Transportation Group, Beaumont, Texas; Staff Sgt. Michael Jenkins, movements NCO, 833rd Transportation Battalion, Seattle, Wash.; and Staff Sgt. Paula Henderson, movements NCO, 834th Transportation Battalion, Concord, Calif.

For Jenkins, a checkpoint NCO during event, was quick to point out the invaluable personal assistance rendered to civilian spectators.

"A little girl near our checkpoint trailer suffered hypothermia and we were able to get her inside out of the cold and call for medical assistance," Jenkins said. "An older couple also was having problems. It was very cold and rainy and they had been waiting along the parade route for hours. Soaked through, we took them into the trailer and offered coffee and hot soup while they warmed up."

Henderson, whose military training encompasses loading and unloading ships, was in awe of the enormity of the event. "We don't generally get the honor of participating in something this significant," Henderson explained.

"For me, the high point came when the Mormon Tabernacle Choir entered our tent and burst into song a cappella," said Henderson. "The breathtaking beauty of that sound brought tears to my eyes."

"I walked the parade alongside the float from Texas," Henderson said. "In the course of the morning I saw celebrities such as Bo Derek, Dixie Carter, Kelsey Grammer, Drew Carey, Miss Texas, Miss America, and the Red Hot Mamas-it was wonderful!"

Every state in the union was represented on the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, according to Anderson.

"The first thing I did was go down the list to make sure I was listed from Brooklyn, New York," he said.

"It was great to be an American that day," said Anderson. "Perhaps the best moment came when I had the honor of saluting the president as his limousine drove by me not 10 feet away." (FROM MILITARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COMMAND - DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).