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Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Robert D. Allen participated in the 56th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20 as part of the largest ever contingent of National Guard members to serve in Washington, D.C.
More than 7,000 Army and Air National Guard members from 31 states and territories provided the 2009 Presidential Inauguration with military working dogs, consequence management planning, and ceremonial, logistics, and medical support through the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. National Guard members also assisted local authorities with crowd management, traffic control, and emergency services operations.
The Armed Forces Inaugural Committee is established every four years by the Secretary of Defense as a joint service organization to coordinate military ceremonial participation and support inaugural events.
Allen, a first sergeant with more than 14 years of military service, is a member of the 116th Infantry, Christiansburg.
His wife, Andrea, is the daughter of Angela C. Carlson of Centreville.
The first sergeant graduated in 1980 from Riverheads High School, Greenville.
Air Force Airman Miguel E. Lopez has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, core values, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate in applied science degree relating through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Marcelo Lopez of Mossy Brook Square, Ashburn, and Cecilia Mendoza of Laura Ratcliff Court, Centreville.
The airman is a 2007 graduate of Centreville High School.
Army Spec. Kyle A. Davis was one of more than 300 Army soldiers who participated in the "Spirit of America 2008" performance to the citizens of Rochester, N.Y., and Worcester, Mass on Sept. 12 and 13, respectively. The citizens welcomed the soldiers while they paid tribute to the sacrifices and triumphs of the American Soldier, who has remained the U.S. Army's centerpiece for more than 233 years.
During the event, soldiers brought history to life with the Spirit of America performance. The performance captured the true stories of those who have answered the call to duty for our nation. The soldiers, dressed in historical uniforms, re-enacted key moments in the U.S. Army and American history. The re-enactments included battle scenes, short periods of simulated gunfire, and performances by the Army's elite ceremonial units.
Davis, an infantryman with two years of military service, is assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
He is the son of Wesley R. and Kimberly M. Davis of Jermantown Road, Fairfax.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Josh E. Dittmar, son of Ceci M. and Charles A. Dittmar of Chantilly, along with members of Patrol Squadron 9 (VP-9) "Golden Eagles" and Consolidated Maintenance Organization 2 (CMO 2), Detachment Bravo, Maintenance Team "Sea Raiders" stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, recently completed a seven-month deployment to Ali Air Base, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). The squadron deployed 155 personnel from VP-9 including 12 aircrews as well as support and intelligence personnel who continually performed their duties during the 120-degree summer temperatures. Traditionally used for anti-submarine warfare, the PC-3 AIP Orion aircraft flown by VP-9 with upgraded sensor capabilities, are a proven overland asset in the Global War on Terror. Working with the Army, Air Force, Marines, and in combination with multi-national forces, VP-9 provided Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance support for ground troops, contributing to counter-occupation, terrorism and insurgency efforts. VP-9 was able to provide overhead support to the Marines from 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment "Lava Dogs" from MCBH Kaneohe Bay.
Dittmar is a 1990 graduate of Chantilly High School of Chantilly, and joined the Navy in April 1994. He is a 1994 graduate of U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. with a BS degree and a 2006 graduate of Air Force Institute of Technology, Dayton, Ohio with a MS degree.
Army National Guard Pfc. Neil A. Sittner has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Sittner is the son of Janet Sittner of Oak Hill Road, Delaplane, Va., and grandson of Vivian Rigney of Village Drive, Fairfax.
The private graduated in 2007 from Fauquier High School, Warrenton.