Maryland Defense Force Supports 2011 Gubernatorial Inauguration

By CPT(MD) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
19 Jan 2011

ANNAPOLIS - Nearly fifty members of the Maryland Defense Force served on state active duty in support of the inauguration of Governor Martin O’Malley and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown. Maryland Defense Force personnel served as military ushers and escorts for dignitaries and stood guard as ceremonial sentries of the State Capitol building. MDDF personnel also set-up and operated an Emergency First Aid Station and staffed the temporary Joint Operations Center located in the Old Senate Chamber of the State Capitol.

A procession of dignitaries and their escorts was led by Brig. Gen. (MD) Courtney B. Wilson from Government House (the Maryland Governor’s Mansion) to the State Capitol for the formal swearing in of Governor O’Malley and Lieutenant Governor Brown. This procession included military escorts from the Maryland Defense Force and the Maryland National Guard.

Standing guard of the State Capitol doors was a ceremonial military sentry detail led by Sgt. Maj. (MD) Ronald Scott. Inside the State Capitol a temporary Joint Operations Center was activated for the inauguration. Col. (MD) Bruno Conticello worked with representatives from various state and local agencies to monitor and coordinate a response to any potential threats or important emergencies. The Joint Operations Center played an important role in ensuring the safety and security of the inauguration participants and the attending public.

At the Maryland Legislative Services building a First Aid Station was set-up by Maryland Defense Force personnel from the 10th Medical Regiment. This Emergency Medical station was led by Lt. Col. (MD) Walter Hettinger and staffed by five personnel with a mix of medical backgrounds and specialties. Fortunately there were no incidents or health concerns that required medical attention.

At the conclusion of a long day, Maryland Defense Force personnel felt extremely proud to have played an important role in the inauguration of their Commander in Chief, Governor Martin O’Malley and the inauguration of Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown.

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: http://mddf.maryland.gov