By Tech. Sgt. Emily F. Alley
WASHINGTON - It's cold in the capital, but the chapel at the National Guard armory was warm. On Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, the room was full of chaplains who had arrived in the city to assist about 6,000 Guardsmen volunteering for duty supporting the 57th Presidential Inauguration.
"It will be cold," said Maj. Gen. Errol Schwartz, commanding general District of Columbia National Guard, as he welcomed the newly-arrived chaplains, "but I know you're warm at heart."
The group is scheduled to provide various religious services to the Guardsmen as well as counseling and a friendly, welcoming ear.
"Life goes on at home," said Samuel Giese, chaplain. "Many Guardsmen have civilian careers and are away from their families."
The chaplains' mission is to provide emotional and spiritual support for Guardsmen so soldiers and airmen may focus their attention on accomplishing their assigned mission during the ceremony.
"We all take pride in being part of something uncommon," said Giese. "This inauguration is a gift we're giving to the country."
The chaplains' meeting closed with a prayer for comfort to the hard-working Guardsmen, wisdom for their leaders and peace to the families who have loved ones in the District of Columbia.
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