National Guard

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“In 2009, it was a big celebration, if you will,” says D.C. National Guard Maj. Gen. Errol Schwartz on Wednesday of plans for Inauguration Day. “We just have to make sure it continues to be a celebration, as we have a peaceful transition of power.” (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Collin O'Mara briefs Gov. Jack Markell, right, and Lt. Gov. Matt Denn as they tour Delaware's shores by National Guard Blackhawk helicopter in the wake of Sandy, Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 30, 2012, in Bethany Beach, Del. (AP Photo/The Wilmington News-Journal, William Bretzger)

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The National Guard blocks flooded Compromise Street in Annapolis Tuesday. Nearly 1½ feet of water flowed along Dock Street, but store owners were worried that more water would come when the tide rose at 5:45 p.m. (Craig Bisacre/The Washington Times)

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A National Guard humvee travels through high water to check the area after the effects of Hurricane Sandy Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in Ocean City, Md. Sandy, the storm that made landfall Monday, caused multiple fatalities, halted mass transit and cut power to more than 6 million homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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A woman is lifted into a National Guard vehicle after leaving her flooded home at the Metropolitan Trailer Park in Moonachie, N.J. Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, after supsterstorm Sandy. Sandy, which was downgraded from hurricane just before making landfall, caused multiple fatalities, halted mass transit and cut power to more than 6 million homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

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D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton greets each of the 70 D.C. Army National Guard soldiers with the 273rd military police company returning from Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan after 10 months during a welcome home ceremony held in front of the D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, October 16, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Soldiers applaud as 70 D.C. Army National Guard soldiers with the 273rd military police company returning from Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan are welcomed home at a ceremony held in front of the D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, October 16, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Family and friends take photos with their phones as 70 D.C. Army National Guard soldiers with the 273rd military police arrive in formation for their welcome home ceremony after returning from Bagram Air Base after 10 months, Afghanistan, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, October 16, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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70 D.C. Army National Guard soldiers with the 273rd military police company returning from Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan after 10 months arrive in formation for their welcome home ceremony held in front of the D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., Tuesday, October 16, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Mitt Romney said that the return of U.S. troops from abroad should not be an excuse to “hollow out our military.” The GOP presidential nominee spoke Tuesday at the National Guard Association Convention. (Associated Press)

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney receives a commemorative coin from Maj. Gen. Francis D. Vavala after he addressed the National Guard Association Convention in Reno, Nev., on Sept. 11, 2012. (Associated Press)

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Sapper candidate and Army Captain Stephanie Godman (left) confers with her "Battle Buddy" Sapper candidate and National Guard Staff Sargent Anthony Hughes, as they plan for a mission during another day of Sapper School training at U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) and Fort Leonard Wood in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Tuesday, June 26, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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Sapper candidate and Army Captain Stephanie Godman (right) is joined by her "Battle Buddy" Sapper candidate and National Guard Staff Sargent Anthony Hughes as they post up deep in the woods to help form a perimeter during another day of Sapper School training at U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) and Fort Leonard Wood in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Tuesday, June 26, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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Sapper candidate Army Capt. Stephanie Godman takes her turn at lunch as she eats a military Meal Ready to Eat while her "battle buddy" and fellow sapper candidate National Guard Staff Sgt. Anthony Hughes is posted up in a clearing to help form a perimeter to keep watch. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

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A North Carolina Air National Guard crew prepares a C-130 cargo plane for wildfire duty on Monday, July 2, 2012, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/North Carolina Air National Guard, Michael Wilber)