Scouts Assist 2005 Presidential Inauguration Activities

On January 20, 2005 President George W. Bush was sworn in for his second term as President of the United States. And in keeping with a tradition that dates back to the earliest days of scouting in the USA, scouts from the National Capital Area Council volunteered in a special role to make the President’s inauguration a success.

The special role that scouting plays in the Presidential Inauguration began with the first inauguration of Woodrow Wilson in March, 1913. Back then, the inauguration took place in March, and only later was the month changed to January.

This special role for Boy Scouts is reserved for members of the National Capital Area Council. Because duties require a through knowledge of the Mall area of Washington, DC, scouts from elsewhere in the nation normally do not participate. Volunteer duties comprise of assisting authorities and visitors along Pennsylvania Avenue on the inauguration parade route starting on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol and ending at the White House. All along this route, and at strategic stations such as security entry points and metro subway stations, scouts stand ready to assist disabled individuals negotiate their way to the parade route. Scouts also provide all visitors with directions and mass transit maps.

This January more than 1,550 Boy Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, Girl Scouts and their adult leaders volunteered for the 55^th Presidential Inauguration. Although this special role was given to Boy Scouts in 1913, since the 1960s the Boy Scouts have invited Girl Scouts to join in this important volunteer role. During the weeks before each inauguration, scouts and their leaders from the National Capital Area Council plan their inauguration day roles. Scouts are issued special security clothing, which each scout must pay for. This year’s inauguration uniform consisted of a bright goldenrod jacket with the words "SCOUT VOLUNTEER" emblazoned on the back in black letters. A blue knit cap was also part of this year’s uniform, and beneath the security jacket scouts wore their uniforms.

American Scouting Digest salutes the Boy Scouts, Venturers and Sea Scouts of the National Capital Area Council who worked to make the 55th Presidential Inauguration a success for all who attended.