The Department of Defense has established the Armed Forces
Inaugural Committee to plan, coordinate and provide authorized
support for the 1997 Presidential Inaugural. The AFIC is a
temporary joint task force of soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen
and Coast Guardsmen dedicated to providing authorized support to
the Presidential Inaugural.
The 1997 Presidential Inaugural will mark more than 200
years of military participation, dating back to April 30, 1789,
when George Washington was escorted to his swearing-in ceremony
at Federal Hall in New York City by members of the fledgling U.S.
Armed Forces.
The Armed Forces Inaugural Committee is the DoD liaison for
the Presidential Inaugural Committee and the Joint Congressional
Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. The advance cell of the
committee was formed in April 1996, with the potential number of
people assigned peaking at 819 in January 1997. Maj. Gen. Robert
F. Foley, U. S. Army, Commanding General of the Military District
of Washington, is the committee chairman. Brig. Gen. Charles R.
Viale, U.S. Army, is the deputy chairman.
For further information contact the Armed Forces Inaugural
Committee Public Affairs Office, (301) 669-6197 or (301) 669-
6193. Information is also available on the Internet at the
following address: http://www.afic.army.mil/
