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Inauguration 2009
We will not apologize for our way of life; nor will we waver in its defense. And for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken. You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you. Upon taking the oath of office Jan. 20, 2009, Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States and commander in chief of the nation's armed forces. Holding with tradition, the U.S. military honored its new commander by participating in the inaugural ceremonies and parade. Top Stories President Barack Obama and U.S. Marine Sgt. Elidio Guillen wave to the crowd at the Commander-in-Chief's Ball in downtown Washington, D.C., Dec. 20, 2009. More than 5,000 men and women in uniform are providing military ceremonial support to the presidential inauguration, a tradition dating back to George Washington's 1789 inauguration. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kathrine McDowellObama Hails Troops, Families at Commander in Chief's Ball

President Barack Obama saluted U.S. troops and their families, paying special tribute to wounded warriors and families of the fallen, during an inaugural ball last night that included a live videoconference with deployed Illinois National Guardsmen. Story | Video

Obama Vows Not to Waver in Defense
President Barack Obama waves to the crowd at the conclusion of his inaugural address, Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2009. The 44th president of the United States assumed his duties as commander in chief and vowed not to waver in defending America. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Obama urged Americans not to forget the military members defending the nation overseas in his inaugural address today. Story | Video 1 | Video 2

Student Leader Attends Inauguration
Candace Waters, a 17-year-old senior at Allied Forces North International High School in Brunssum, Netherlands, prepares for an on-camera interview with the Department of Defense Education Activity in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21, 2009. Waters was chosen to attend the inauguration of President Barack Obama as part of the Presidential Youth Leadership Conference. DoD photo by Samantha L. Quigley

The daughter of an Air Force officer stationed in Belgium got a close look at President Barack Obama's inauguration. Story

Guard Supports Historic Inaugural Mission
Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Gardner, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Hull, Spc. Angela Hunter and Staff Sgt. Jose Martinez, all with the District of Columbia Army National Guard, stand by in the Pentagon parking lot before marching in the inaugural parade, Jan. 20, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill

The inauguration of the 44th president marked the Guard's largest contribution to a presidential inauguration in more than 372 years. Story

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   Airmen Prepare For Inauguration Day Parade
Air Force airmen on Andrews Air Force Base, Md., take their seats on the bus that will transport them to President Barack Obama's inaugural parade, Jan. 20, 2009. DoD photo by Donna Miles

Air Force airmen on Andrews Air Force Base, Md., began Inauguration Day before sunrise preparing to march in the inaugural parade. Story

Guard Nerve Centers Prove Key to Missions
The National Guard Bureau's Soldiers and Airmen attend a Multi-agency Coordination Center video teleconference at the Bureau's Joint Coordination Center in Crystal City, Va., Jan. 18 to communicate their inaugural efforts with a host of other government agencies supporting the presidential inauguration in the District of Columbia. Photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith, National Guard Bureau

The National Guard's support to the new commander in chief on Inauguration Day requires extraordinary coordination and cooperation. Story

Guard Provides Support for Inauguration
Gen. Craig McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, visits with Guardsmen assigned to Joint Task Force 29, which is led by the 29th Infantry Division, Jan. 19, 2009, at a temporary operations center established at Fort Belvoir, Va. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill

During the inauguration today, 9,300 members of the National Guard will provide transport, traffic control and medical & logistical support. Story
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