On Jan. 20, 380 Delaware firefighters made their way to Washington, D.C. to take part in the inauguration parade of President Barack Obama. The Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association organized the event with the Presidential Inauguration Committee to allow Delaware firefighters to march in the Inauguration Parade. The Citizens' Hose Company Band provided the theme song during the march.
The morning started out on 10 travel buses that met in different parts of the state to pick up the firefighters and auxiliary members. At the Pentagon, all buses and persons went through security clearance. All members of the marching unit received their Secret Service clearance ID.
After leaving the Pentagon, all buses were guided into Washington, D.C. by police and military escorts. Firefighters were unloaded at the Ellipse, located just across the lawn from the White House. We were staged in warming tents where we were able to watch the inauguration on TV screens.
When we began to march in the parade, it was about 28 degrees with 10 mph winds. Firefighters -- accompanied by one fire engine from each county -- marched close to the new president and vice president.
