Capt. Joseph Hylant, Glenwood native

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WIVB) - Capt. Joseph Hylant, son of Joseph and Leona Hylant from Glenwood, N.Y., recently joined the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, which is preparing to support the 56th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2009. AFIC is a joint service committee charged with coordinating all military ceremonial support for the inaugural period. As a joint committee, it includes members from all branches of the armed forces of the United States, including Reserve and National Guard components.

Capt. Hylant is assigned to the ceremonies directorate as the Division Two control team officer in charge. He is responsible for controlling parade units in the division, ensuring the proper staging of the division's units, and forming units prior to the Inaugural parade. Capt. Hylant is an active duty member of the United States Marine Corps and has served for five years. He joins AFIC from Headquarters United States Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. and lives in Annapolis, Md.

“I feel honored to have been selected to serve on the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. It is such a privilege to not only witness history but also to be part of it. I am truly amazed at the amount of behind the scene planning that takes place. One would not believe how hard everybody is working to make sure that every last detail of Inauguration Day is covered,” said Capt. Hylant.

Capt. Hylant is a 1997 graduate of St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, N.Y. and earned his bachelor’s degree from the The State University of New York Fredonia in 2001.

The U.S. Armed Forces have participated in the inauguration of the president of the United States since April 30, 1789, when members of the U.S. Army, local militia units and Revolutionary War veterans escorted George Washington to his first inauguration ceremony at Federal Hall in New York City. Two hundred twenty years later, the participation of the armed forces continues to honor our commander in chief, recognize civilian control of the armed forces and celebrate democracy.

Participation by the armed forces traditionally includes musical units, marching bands, color guards, salute batteries and honor cordons. Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen assigned to AFIC also provide invaluable assistance to the Presidential Inaugural Committee, a not-for-profit, partisan organization representing the president-elect, and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inauguration Ceremonies.

The Secretary of Defense has authorized nearly 750 service members to be assigned to AFIC by Inauguration Day to coordinate Department of Defense support in and around the District of Columbia. Historically, as many as 5,000 service members have participated in the celebration, both in view of the public and behind the scenes.

Capt. Hylant’s role in the 56th Presidential Inaugural is like that of any other essential military mission during peace or war. Just as our military men and women are showing their commitment to this country while deployed around the globe, participation of service members in this traditional event demonstrates our military’s support to the nation’s newly elected commander in chief.