LEXINGTON, Va. (WFXR) – For the 16th time in US history, the Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets have been selected to march during the Presidential Inauguration ceremony.
The Cadets were busy getting a special practice in on Thursday, January 16 and WFXR News was able to witness their hard work in action.
(Photo Credit: Dustin Hennessey, WFXR News)
“It means a lot, and I think it does to the entire Corps. It’s a great opportunity for us to go out there. Do our best. I mean, we’ve been invited and it’s a really big deal. And I think we’re all really excited to go out there and contribute,” said 1st Class Private Gabriel Williams. “Not only are we going to our nation’s capital to do a great display for VMI and show what we are, but it’s a great opportunity for us to go and show the finer points of our prowess at things like marching and our ability to play instruments.”
(Photo Credit: Dustin Hennessey, WFXR News)
On January 20, the VMI Corps of Cadets will march for Donald Trump as he is sworn in for his second term as the 47th President of the United States.
“It’s an incredible opportunity. It’s a once-in-a-cadetship opportunity, and it’s something that means a lot to represent the institute and the nation,” said Regimental Sgt. Major Devin Auzenne. “The main challenge is, it’s a different formation with a big group of people, and just making sure everyone stays focused throughout the entire route, and they’re ready to represent the institute well.”
(Photo Credit: Dustin Hennessey, WFXR News)
The first time VMI was selected for this honor was in 1909, for President William Howard Taft and the last was in 2016 when President Trump became president for the first time.
“We’re practicing for the Presidential Inauguration Parade, and we’re making sure we’re looking good and sounding good, both as a Corp of Cadets, and then specifically from my sphere of influence is the regimental band,” said Regimental Band Director Lt. Col. Matthew Halligan. “It’s a pretty awesome feeling just to see the work of the cadets as they’ve grown as people, they’ve grown militarily. You know you can see their academic success as they go through their career. But you can really see how they’ve matured and the confidence level they build.”
VMI will be departing for Washington, D.C. on early Monday, Jan. 20.