2 National Guard members with local ties aid Inauguration

Army National Guard Capt. Jarrod C. Blevins and Army National Guard Pfc. Joshua D. Merrick participated in the 56th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20. They were part of the largest contingent of National Guard members to serve in Washington.

More than 7,000 Army and Air National Guard members from 31 states and territories provided the 2009 Presidential Inauguration with military working dogs, consequence management planning and ceremonial, logistics and medical support through the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee.

National Guard members also assisted local authorities with crowd management, traffic control and emergency services operations.

The Armed Forces Inaugural Committee is established every four years by the Secretary of Defense as a joint service organization to coordinate military ceremonial participation and to support inaugural events.

Blevins is commander of Charlie Company of the 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment based in Christiansburg. The guard officer has served in the military for 11 years.

He is the son of Dennis R. and Marie W. Blevins of Marion.

His wife, Cindy, is the daughter of Tom Skidmore and Alma Skidmore, both of Chesterfield County.

The captain earned a bachelor's degree in 1991 from Emory & Henry College, in Emory.

Merrick, an infantryman with one year of military service, is a member of the 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment based in Farmville. He is the son of Jonathan D. Merrick of Richmond.