2009 Armed Forces Inaugural Committee

Hundreds of thousands gather on the National Mall prior to the start of the 56th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2009. More than 5,000 men and women in uniform are providing military ceremonial support to the presidential inauguration, expected to be one of the best attended in history. (DoD photo by Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Meneguin, U.S. Air Force/Released)

Hundreds of thousands gather on the National Mall prior to the start of the 56th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2009. More than 5,000 men and women in uniform are providing military ceremonial support to the presidential inauguration, expected to be one of the best attended in history. (DoD photo by Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Meneguin, U.S. Air Force/Released)