Inauguration 2013 Parade Participants

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PARADE PARTICIPANTS

54TH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER REGIMENT
Hanscom Air Force Base, MA
During the Civil War, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment became the Union Army’s first formally organized unit made up of free black men. Today’s company is made up of civilian re-enactment personnel in Civil War-period uniforms that keep alive the legacy of the unit through living history displays, educational briefings to the general public and Civil War period encampments and re-enactments.

54TH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
REGIMENT COMPANY B
Silver Spring, MD
The District of Columbia is home to the B Company of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The company was formed in 1988 as a National Park “Service Volunteers in the Parks” unit to commemorate the Union army’s first military unit made up of free black men. The company is dedicated to preserving and authentically interpreting the life and sacrifices of the enlisted men and officers of the historic regiment. Members are dressed in the uniform of the period: sack coat, sky blue trousers, Jefferson brogues, forage hats and Enfield muskets.

81ST REGIONAL SUPPORT COMMAND WILDCATS
Fort Jackson, SC
The 81st Regional Support Command Wildcats World War I Color Guard is a unique marching unit which has performed in five Veterans Day parades and 17 other parades and events, including Carolina Panther and University of South Carolina football games and other functions throughout the southeastern US and Puerto Rico. Composed of US Army reservists, the color guard uses 1918 WWI-era uniforms, doughboy helmets, backpacks and Springfield rifles to capture the era and spirit of 1918. In 1917 the Wildcats were the first unit of the US Army to design and wear a shoulder patch insignia: a Wildcat. Over the last 40 years, 90,000 veterans and citizen soldiers have worn a Wildcat patch.

AMBULANCE 255 PROJECT
North Franklin, CT
Ambulance 255 is a 1916 Ford Model T ambulance representative of the ambulances donated by Americans and driven by American volunteers in Europe between 1914 and 1917. The driver is dressed in an accurate uniform of a 1916 volunteer ambulance driver. Like the actual ambulances used during World War I, which were attached to French divisions, Ambulance 255 is painted in French infantry blue.

ASHEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND
Asheville, NC
The Asheville High School Marching Band, representing Asheville, North Carolina, is marching in its first Inaugural Parade. Composed of about 100 students, the marching band continues the great traditions of two outstanding band programs – the Stephens Lee High School Band and the Lee Edwards High School Band. These two schools joined when they were integrated in the late ‘60s and today remains the only high school in the 125 year old Asheville City School System. Asheville High is also proud to be from the home of 12 Bones BBQ, which President Obama has visited twice on his trips to Asheville.

A.T.E.A.S.E. (A THERAPEUTIC EQUINE ASSISTED SELF-CONFIDENCE EXPERIENCE)
Deerfield, WI
A Therapeutic Equine Assisted Self-Confidence Experience (A.T.E.A.S.E.) is a Wisconsin-based non-profit that supports those who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and helps families connect with soldiers returning from a deployment. It is free of charge for veterans and Gold Star/Blue Star families. Represent­ing all horses past and present that have defended our country, the parade participants will consist of three horses and riders marching in triangle formation. Horses and riders will be in uniform colors of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, 1st Battalion, 105th Cavalry Squadron with the riders wearing black riding helmets decorated with gold cords.

BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE LA RAZA
Colorado Springs, CO
Ballet Folklórico de la Raza was formed in 1994 to share Mexican culture through music, dance and costume. Each Mexican region has its own style of music, steps, and especially costume. Classes are taught at no charge to the public, allowing everyone the opportunity to learn and perform Mexican folk dancing. Through dancing, the group has established a large family of not only children, but also their parents as well. De la Raza has become recognizable to the Pikes Peak region, and has brought many smiles to the community of Colorado Springs and surrounding areas.

BALLOU SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL “MAJESTIC” MARCHING KNIGHTS
Washington, D.C.
The Ballou “Majestic” Marching Knights is an award-winning high-stepping marching band. It is sure to have your hands clap­ping and cheering for a group of young people that continues to positively change a school, community and city with outstanding musicianship, discipline and pride. The Knights have performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, the Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade, President Bush’s Inaugural Parade, the Ellen Degeneres Show, Good Morning America and the Today Show. They will be performing “I Feel Good” by James Brown and the Ste­vie Wonder version of “Happy Birthday” as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

BOSTON COLLEGE SCREAMING EAGLES MARCHING BAND
Boston, MA
With over 180 members, the “Screaming Eagles” Marching Band is the largest and most visible student organization at Boston College. Founded in 1919, the Eagles Band has traveled around the world to represent Boston College at football games, parades and interna­tional celebrations. In addition to numerous domestic bowl game appearances, the “Screaming Eagles” have performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, the Japan Bowl in Yokohama, Japan, and the Emerald Isle Classic in Dublin, Ireland.

BOSTON CRUSADERS DRUM & BUGLE CORPS
Boston, MA
The Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps, founded in 1940, is the third-oldest junior drum and bugle corps in the nation and is proud to be a founding member of Drum Corps International. The corps, composed entirely of brass players, percussionists and color guard members under the age of 22, travels over 10,000 miles each summer, performing in more than 40 competitions and exhibitions before a combined audience of over 300,000 fans.

BOY SCOUT TROOP 358
Philadelphia, PA
Boy Scout Troop 358 is one of the oldest historically African Amer­ican troops in the nation, celebrating its 60th anniversary next month. Since its founding, the troop has served over 3,000 boys and has produced 61 Eagle Scouts. In one year, the troop advanced 13 Eagle Scouts, a number so large it has been documented in the Library of Congress. The troop is always growing and continues to advance Boy Scouts to the rank of Eagle, celebrating its 61st Eagle Scout in October 2012. The troop continues to be a place where young African American boys from Philadelphia experience scout­ing and develop leadership skills to become great citizens. Troop 358 will be dressed in the Boy Scout green hat and pants, and red jacket.

CALERA EAGLE MARCHING BAND
Calera, AL
Calera Eagle Band is the largest student organization at Calera High School in Calera, Alabama, part of the Shelby County School System. Along with its instrumentalists, the band has a dance line, a majorette line, and a flag line. The band has attended at least two field show competitions each year and has scored superior ratings (the highest rating available) at every contest, earning “Best in Class” at several of them. The drum major and majorettes recently won “Best in Class” at Mud Creek Marching Festival in Hanceville, Alabama, and in September, Alabama Tonight on NBC 13 named them “Band of the Week.” In addition to their performances, the Eagle Band is known for its diversity, and for the high academic expectations placed on its members.

CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE
Santa Rosa, CA
For more than 35 years, Canine Companions for Independence, a national non-profit, has enhanced the lives of people with dis­abilities by providing them with highly-trained assistance dogs and ongoing support. Professional staff and volunteer puppy raisers with pups in training will be lined in formation and marching proudly alongside graduates of the program and their specially-bred and trained service dogs. There will also be a flatbed float transporting those unable to walk and several puppies.

CENTRAL VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND
Spokane Valley, WA
The Central Valley High School Marching Band and Color Guard has a proud tradition of excellence and a reputation throughout the Pacific Northwest region as a state-of-the-art pageantry unit. The band gives back to the community by hosting numerous benefit concerts, including ones for the Wounded Warrior Project, the Field Band Foundation and the Spokane VFW.

CHINESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY CENTER FOLK DANCE TROUPE
Hockessin, DE
The CACC Chinese Folk Dance Troupe, based in Hockessin, Delaware, brings Chinese dance and culture to young Chinese Americans in the area while sharing the beauty and richness of Chinese culture, arts and heritage with the general public. The Troupe is proudly part of the Wilmington, Delaware-based Chinese American Community Center (CACC).The troupe has performed at many special events at venues including the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Institute, the Grand Opera House, the Playhouse Theatre, National Theatre, and the annual Autumn Festivals, Chi­nese New Year’s Celebrations and Chinese Festivals at CACC.

COMPARZA MORELENSE
Las Vegas, NV
Comparza Morelense was formed in 2010 when a group of families that danced “el chinelo” together formed a dance troupe to celebrate and share their culture. The dancers are known as “chinelos,” which means “men who jump.” Their origin dates back to the Spanish conquest of Mexico, when the Spanish prevented the practice of indigenous religions. Legend has it that during religious celebrations, emboldened by the ability to wear masks during festivities, some indigenous people wore costumes mocking the Spanish and danced through the streets. Comparza Morelense has performed at events throughout Las Vegas and won multiple awards. They’ve performed at the Latin Grammy’s, and are very excited to participate in the inauguration parade.

CULVER ACADEMIES
Culver, IN
Culver Academies’ participation in the Presidential Inaugural Parade dates back 100 years to Woodrow Wilson’s inaugurals in 1913 and 1917, when Culver’s Black Horse Troop served as the escort for Vice President Thomas Marshall. The Black Horse Troop and Equestriennes are a symbol of excellence for Culver Academies, the State of Indiana, and the United States.

DOBYNS-BENNETT HIGH SCHOOL BAND
Kingsport, TN
The largest high school band in the state of Tennessee, the Dobyns-Bennett Band is one of the oldest and most prestigious bands in the Southeastern United States. The band’s 330 members continue a tradition that includes nationally televised performances, and competitive success.

FERGUS FALLS HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND
Fergus Falls, MN
The Fergus Falls High School Band Program has a long-standing reputation of excellence. The motto of the band is “Share the Pride,” and students seek to do that with each of their performances, whether on the national stage or for the citizens of their small town of Fergus Falls, MN. The marching band brings us back to a time when a community’s pride revolved around sports, music and the small town way of life.

FIREFIGHTERS OF IDAHO
ID
The Firefighters of Idaho are performing together for the first time for the Inaugural Parade. Comprised of representatives from fire departments across the state, the members include twenty bagpipers, seven drummers, and multiple honor guard members. The bagpipers are dressed in kilts, while other marchers are wearing honor guard attire – hats, jackets, and slacks with badges. It is common for fire departments to have bagpipers and drummers, and the Firefighters of Idaho were excited for the opportunity to perform together and represent their state in the 57th Inauguration.

FRANKFORT HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND
Ridgeley, WV
The Frankfort High School Band is proud of its strong tradition of excellence. Since the school’s opening in 1976, the band program has established itself as one of the strongest in its region. The band is a devoted representative of Frankfort High School and the community through its many performances at football games, band festivals, and parades.

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY MARCHING BAND
Atlanta, GA
The 185 members of the Georgia State University Marching Band are proud ambassadors for the second largest university in Georgia and one of the leading urban campuses in the country. Founded just three years ago, the band has quickly made a name for itself entertaining millions at football games, as lead band at the Atlanta Christmas parade, live on the set of CNN Headline News’ Morning Express with Robin Meade, and in the film The Watch. In 2012, the College Band Directors National Association selected the GSU Marching Band as one of the top-five marching bands in the South­east Division in 2012.

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY MARCHING BAND
Grambling, LA
The Grambling State University World Famous Tiger Marching Band from Grambling, Louisiana, is making its third appearance in the Inaugural Parade. The band, representing the Historically Black College in Louisiana, traces its roots to 1926 when its president obtained 17 instruments from Sears and Roebuck to form a group of marching musicians. Since then, the March­ing Tigers have won countless awards and have been featured in television ads, a major motion picture (Drumline), and appeared as guests on television shows and other large events including several Super Bowls and the 2009 Inaugural Parade. The Grambling State Marching Tigers have 204 members.

GULLAH GEECHEE CULTURAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR COMMISSION
Charleston, SC
The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission will showcase the rich and living culture of the Sea Islands of South Carolina. The parade unit will display cultural artifacts that include symbols of rice, a cash crop that was produced by enslaved Africans; music that is symbolic of the culture’s religious traditions; and sweetgrass baskets that are produced throughout the region. Gullah Geechee culture, its folk life and its people are a unique part of American history, and continue to influence our country today.

THE GYM DANDIES CHILDREN’S CIRCUS
Scarborough, ME
The Gym Dandies Children’s Circus of the Scarborough, Maine Schools is the largest continuously operating children’s circus in the U.S. with more than 3,500 participants since 1981. The Gym Dan­dies have performed at more than 80 schools, countless community events in the New England region, and many nationally significant events, combining the wonder of the circus with the enthusiasm of young performers for young and old audience members alike. The Gym Dandies routinely features the largest six-foot high, Giraffe unicycle formation seen in parades, with as many as 80 Giraffes in one routine. For the 2013 Inaugural Parade, the group will feature 41 Giraffe unicycles.

ISISERETTES DRILL AND DRUM CORPS
Des Moines, IA
The Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps from Des Moines, Iowa, is marching in its second Inaugural Parade. The 62 performing members of the Corps have traveled over 1,000 miles to participate in the parade. The non-profit community organization is comprised of youths between the ages of seven and 18 from the greater Des Moines area. The organization helps build character and social skills, stressing the importance of a formal education while helping young people develop their creative and natural abilities. The group is the recipient of the NAACP Community Service Award of Excel­lence and has performed at halftime events for the NBA, WNBA and NCAA, and performed many times for President Obama in Iowa.

JACKSON MEMORIAL JAGUAR BAND
Jackson, NJ
The Jackson Jaguar Band will be representing the garden state. The Jackson Jaguar Band has marched in the 2005 Presidential Inaugural Parade, 2013 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington DC, and was in a musical feature in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. At the 2012 New Jersey State Championship the Jackson Jaguar Band won best overall music and general effect.

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS WARRIOR MARCHING BAND
Honolulu, HI
The Kamehameha Schools “Warrior” Marching Band and Color Guard is from the Kapalama Campus of Honolulu, Hawaii. Through the years, the Kamehameha Schools Warrior Band and Color Guard has acquired national and international acclaim through its participation in tours, music festivals and competitions. Past national appearances include the 1984 Fiesta Bowl Parade in Arizona, the 1991 Orange Bowl Parade and the 1993 Presidential Inaugural Parade.

KANSAS UNIVERSITY TRUMPET ENSEMBLE
Lawrence, KS
The Kansas University Trumpet Ensemble is a group comprised of approximately 16 music majors in the KU School of Music. Its members have come from throughout Kansas as well approximately 10 other states, Puerto Rico, and as far away as Latvia and China. The group first gained significant recognition in 2006 and 2007, when they were named finalists at the national trumpet competition in Virginia. In 2011, the KU Trumpet Ensemble received national exposure performing the national anthem on ESPN Gameday. They have also performed for former Kansas Governors Kathleen Sibelius, Mark Parkinson and other dignitaries such as Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

LESBIAN AND GAY BAND ASSOCIATION
St. Louis, MO
The Lesbian and Gay Band Association is a national musical organization comprised of concert and marching bands from cities across America that makes up a network of lesbian and gay bands. Their participation in the 2009 Inaugural Parade marked the first time that an openly gay and lesbian group had been invited to march in an Inaugural Parade. For the 57th Inaugural Parade, the band will include up to 280 musicians from 27 states and the District of Columbia.

LETCHER COUNTY CENTRAL MARCHING BAND
Whitesburg, KY
The Letcher County Central High School Marching Band hails from rural Appalachia in the small eastern Kentucky coal com­munity of Whitesburg. The Letcher County Central High School Marching Band marches and performs in parades and patriotic ceremonies in conjunction with the Letcher County Central High School ROTC honor guard.

LIBERTY NORTH HIGH SCHOOL BAND
Liberty, MO
The Liberty Public Schools band program is among Missouri’s most respected. The bands have been selected for prestigious honors, and have performed in the Bahamas, New York, and St. Louis, as well as at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Missouri Music Educators Convention, King Kamehameha Parade in Honolulu.

LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL BAND
Little Rock, AR
The Little Rock Central High School Band program has enjoyed a rich tradition of excellence throughout the band’s history. Central High School has one of the most diverse student populations in the state of Arkansas. The membership of the band also reflects the diversity of the school. Seventy five percent of the band’s students come from minority populations. Four band members are first generation American citizens. Native American, African American, Asian, Hispanic, Jewish, and African ethnicities are represented in the Central Band.

LONDONDERRY HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND AND COLOR GUARD
Londonderry, NH
The Londonderry High School Marching Band and Color Guard from Londonderry, New Hampshire, are making their second ap­pearance in the Inaugural Parade. This nearly 300 member group has gained fame through performances across the country, march­ing four times at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, most recently in 2011, and marching every year in the New York St. Patrick’s Day parade. They performed in the pre-game festivities at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, when they marched on the Great Wall of China, and also marched in the Inaugural Parade following President Obama and Vice President Biden’s first Inauguration in 2009.

MIAMI UNIVERSITY MARCHING BAND
Oxford, OH
Since its founding in 1935, the Miami University Marching Band (MUMB) has been an integral part of the spirit and pride of Miami University and the surrounding Oxford, Ohio and Butler County region. The MUMB truly represents the University community. Eighty percent of its members come from majors outside of music and represent nearly every academic discipline on campus.

MICHIGAN MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL MOUNTED POLICE DRILL TEAM AND COLOR GUARD
Ypsilanti, MI
The Michigan Multi-Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team and Color Guard are making their second appearance in the Inaugural Parade. The group was organized by now retired Michigan State Police Detective Lieutenant Lorenzo Veal, II. In its short existence, this group has had the distinct honor of being invited to perform at the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade, the Michigan State Fair, The Michigan Horse Council Expo, and the North American Horse Spectacular. Each officer wears the uniform from his or her particular agency and their ride horses representing a wide variety of breeds and colors.

MILITARY SPOUSES OF MICHIGAN
Detroit, MI
Military Spouses of Michigan is a group of military spouses and family members in Michigan dedicated to building a network of support and services. Michigan’s military families lack the Family Readiness Group resources available to family members stationed on active duty bases, making a support network even more important. Representatives from the Military Spouses of Michigan will be marching with a banner along to the song “I Will Wait” by Mumford and Sons.

MONTANA DELEGATION
MT
Montana’s Senators, Congressman and Governor will be joined by members of their staff and families to march in the Inaugural Parade. Senator Max Baucus has represented the state of Montana in Congress since 1975, Senator Jon Tester since 2007, Con­gressman-elect Daines will assume office in January of 2013, and Attorney General Steve Bullock will assume the governorship in the New Year. They will be wearing attire found all across the American west, but perfected in Montana.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Washington, DC
Many of the groups in today’s parade have traveled hundreds – even thousands – of miles to be here, but this group has been all the way to outer space. NASA is represented today by two floats - the Orion Multi-purpose Crew Vehicle, and the Mars Curiosity Rover. The Orion replica is 16.5 feet in diameter, and 16 feet tall, and it is joined in the parade by NASA astronauts. This replica of the Mars Curiosity Rover is 10 feet long, nine feet wide, and nine feet tall.

NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN WARRIORS
Pueblo West, CO
The Native American Women Warriors is the first recog­nized all-Native women veteran color guard and will be marching dressed in traditional Ojibway “jingle dresses” with accessories of beadwork and feathers. They are known for their large service patches -- veteran and combat patches placed on the back of the dresses which distinguish the members as Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine or Coast Guard.

THE NAVAJO NATION BAND
AZ, NM & UT
The Navajo Nation Band began in 1925 when a small group of young Navajo men, recently graduated from federal boarding schools, joined together to continue practicing their musical talents. It has since become a widely-traveled band appearing in many public events coast to coast and has been awarded numerous honors and prizes. These tribal musical ambassadors have marched in three Presidential Inaugural Parades, parades at the Arizona and New Mexico State Fairs, and the Fiesta Bowl Parade. The Navajo Nation Band continues to attract admirers throughout the country and the world, and participates in Navajo Nation fairs and other celebrations throughout the Southwest.

NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY MARCHING WOLVES
Aberdeen, SD
As part of a thriving rural university with an on-campus popula­tion of approximately 2,000 traditional undergraduate students, the NSU Marching Wolves are comprised of 120 members from seven states and two foreign countries. Known for their big sound and spirited style, the Marching Wolves have enjoyed a distinguished 72-year tradition of excellence at the regional and national level. Each year they perform at all home football games, the annual Gypsy Day Parade, and regional marching band festivals. Recent accolades include selection as one of only eight collegiate marching bands in the nation to appear in the January 2005 Presidential Inaugural Parade. In November 2006, the band represented South Dakota at the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

NORWICH UNIVERSITY REGIMENTAL BAND
Northfield, VT
The Norwich University Regimental Band, founded in 1820, is the oldest collegiate band in the country. The Regimental Band carries on a long tradition of musical, academic and military excellence. The university’s objective is to encourage students to become stronger and more determined leaders by understanding that a structured military lifestyle combined with rigorous academics will benefit those pursuing careers in both the military world and the private sector.

PALM SPRINGS “SPIRIT OF THE SANDS” MARCHING BAND AND VISUAL CORPS
Palm Springs, CA
The Palm Springs High School “Spirit of the Sands” is a one of a kind music program that believes music is the international language. Through youth sharing their musical talents, they bring the peoples of the world together in unity. During the past seven­teen years the “Spirit of the Sands” Bands have performed in South Africa, China, Australia, New Zealand, Wales, Scotland, France, England, Italy, Denmark, and in Canada. The band members will be marching in black, white and red uniforms adorned with shako hats and capes.

PALMVIEW HIGH SCHOOL MARIACHI AND FOLKLORIC GROUP
La Joya, TX
The Palmview High School Mariachi and Folkloric Group pro­grams were established in 2008 in the South Texas school district of La Joya. In its short history, student members have won numerous awards in mariachi and dance competitions, earning them recogni­tion as one of the best student mariachi and folk dance groups in the state. The mariachi students will perform two traditional pieces, musical numbers closely identified with Mexico, and will be accom­panied by dancers. The groups are proud to bring presenting their colorful costumes and mariachi music to the Inaugural Parade.

PEARL RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE MARCHING BAND
Poplarville, MS
The Pearl River Community College Spirit of the River Marching band has been recognized as one of the premier community college band programs in the South. The band has made national appear­ances in Chicago, Texas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. The mission of the PRCC Band is to provide students with educational opportunities through scholarships provided by participation in the band program.

PORTSMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND
Portsmouth, RI
The Portsmouth High School marching band will represent the state of Rhode Island in the nation’s 57th Inaugural Parade. The band plans to travel to the inauguration in a caravan of four motor coach buses. The last time PHS marched in this parade was for Ronald Reagan in 1981.

PUNAHOU BAND AND JROTC
Honolulu, HI
The Punahou School is proudly representing Honolulu, Hawaii, President Obama’s birthplace. President Obama graduated from Punahou School in Hawaii in 1979. The Buff ’n Blue contingent in the Inaugural Parade includes the band’s musicians, JROTC color guard, and Punahou cheerleaders. The band is playing a special medley commissioned in anticipation of today’s parade. The medley was arranged by Punahou music school students under the guidance of their music-composition instructor, Jon Magnusson.

SARPY COUNTY NEBRASKA METRO LAW ENFORCEMENT HONOR GUARD
Sarpy, NE
The Sarpy county metro area honor guard from Papillion, Nebraska is represented by members of the Sarpy County Sheriff’s Office, the Bellevue Police Department, and the La Vista Police Department in Sarpy County, Nebraska. Our honor guards regularly practice and train together, as well as perform honor guard details within their own agencies and events. They also train together with honor guards within the Omaha metro area. This is the Sarpy County Metro Area Honor Guard’s first Inaugural Parade appearance, and they are very proud and honored to be here.

SEGURO QUE SI
Orlando, FL
The Seguro Que Si band is a high school student-led band that plays in Kissimmee, Florida. The students in the band range from ages 15 to 17 and attend the Osceola County School for the Arts. They perform for the community in events such as School District EXPOs, grand openings, schools, and parades. They also had the opportunity to perform for the Mayor of Kissimmee. The uniform is a black traditional latin shirt, beige pants, black belt, and black shoes. The band is unique in that all the rehearsals are student led, and they are known for involving the audience in their perfor­mances.

SOUTH SHORE DRILL TEAM
Chicago, IL
In 1980, Chicago public school teacher Arthur Robertson founded South Shore Drill Team to offer a creative outlet for inner-city youth. What began as a traditional color guard with four neighbor- hood children has grown into America’s premier precision-drilling group, serving 300 youth ages 8-21 annually.

THE TRIBES OF NORTH DAKOTA
ND
The Tribes of North Dakota is a group of veterans and students who are working to engage Native Americans in politics in their state. They are represented by Native American singers playing small hand drums and wearing tribal uniforms. During the 2012 election, the tribes of North Dakota successfully engaged thousands of Native Americans in local and national politics.

UNION HIGH SCHOOL AIR FORCE JUNIOR ROTC
Tulsa, OK
Since its formation in August of 2002, the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) program at Union Public Schools has grown into one of the most decorated and most re­spected units in Green County. Union’s color guards conduct nearly 100 flag ceremonies each year and its competitive drill and fitness teams have won trophies in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas. Union’s AFJROTC program was the only organization of any kind to represent the state of Oklahoma in the Presidential Inaugural Parade in 2009. It conducts formal military ceremonies and volunteer services for community and veteran groups through­out the area massing in excess of 2,000 hours of community service annually.

UNITED WAR VETERANS COUNCIL
New York, NY
The United War Veterans Council, producers of the annual New York City Veterans Day Parade, is proud to represent our city’s the veteran community. Its members are veterans and service members from the NYC area, many of whom were involved with Hurricane Sandy rescue and relief, or who are currently part of the city’s rebuilding efforts. The group will include veterans of American wars dating back to World War II, including members of all service branches as well as FDNY and NYPD veterans, Gold Star moth­ers, former USO performers and JROTC students. They will be accompanied by a float from Bond Parade Floats, which originally produced floats for the War Bond efforts in Times Square during World War II.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MARCHING BAND
College Park, MD
The University of Maryland had its humble beginnings in 1856 as a land grant college, known then as the Maryland Agricultural College. Since that time it has grown to be the flagship university in the Maryland System of 12 Universities and Colleges. From the beginning of the university’s history, the Cadet Band played during cadet marches and parades. As the band continued to grow in size, the members of the band were dubbed “The Musical Ambassadors of Maryland.”

UTAH HISPANIC DANCE ALLIANCE
Sandy, UT
The Utah Hispanic Dance Alliance from Sandy, Utah, is wearing outfits representing Mexico, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, El Salvador and Argentina. The group’s goal is to present traditional aspects of Latin American culture in Utah, as well as to elevate the artistic quality of the presentation of Latin American culture in Utah. The Utah Hispanic dance alliance values the traditions and cultures of all Latin American countries, and is a partner of the Utah Arts Council.

THE UTUQQAGMIUT DANCERS
Wainwright, AK
Utuqqagmiut, or “People of the Utukok River,” reside in the small Inupiat community of Wainwright on the northern coast of Alaska. The community is internationally known for its dance culture, and the Utuqqagmiut Dancers have been recognized in competi­tions for their talent. Their performance represents the culture of Alaska Eskimos through a celebration of gift-giving, feasting, and competition in a tradition that predates historical record. Their unique song and dance choreography is accompanied by the rhyth­mic beating of drums made of caribou skin tightly stretched over handheld wooden hoops.

VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
Lexington, VA
The Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets from Lexington, Virginia, is making its 14th appearance in the Inaugural Parade. The unit first marched in an Inaugural Parade more than one hundred years ago, in 1909 for President Taft. Founded in 1839, the Virginia Military Institute is the nation’s oldest state-supported military college and is composed of over 1,600 cadets from 45 states and 10 foreign countries. VMI alumni have served the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation as proud citizen-soldiers producing leaders in every walk of life. Each year VMI commissions over half of its graduating class into the U.S. Armed Forces.

WIND RIVER DANCERS
Wind River Indian Reservation, WY
The Wind River Dancers from the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming is a group of Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribal members that dance and sing traditional Native American songs. They are using hand drums, which are a mobile version of the larger drums traditionally used in ceremonial activities. The dancers of various ages sing songs and dance usually as part of their tribal culture for the benefit of the younger generations and others to enjoy. The Wind River Dancers travel the state of Wyoming to educate non-Native Americans about Native American culture and heritage through dance and music.