District of Columbia National Guard will recognize Soldiers and Airmen during awards & decorations ceremony

WASHINGTON, DC (11/28/2018) (readMedia)-- The District of Columbia National Guard will host its annual Awards and Decorations Ceremony in the D.C. National Guard Armory, Washington, D.C., Dec. 2, 2017.

The purpose of the ceremony is to recognize unit-level, annual award winners from both the D.C. Army and Air National Guards. In addition to recognizing superior Soldiers, Airman and civilians, the ceremony also includes military drill and ceremony elements and musical selections from the 257th Army Band. Cadets from the Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy will also stand in formation with D.C. Army and Air National Guard personnel.

There will also be a special recognition for Tech. Sgt. Kelly Downes, a 213th Air Maintenance Squadron Phase Inspector, who saved her 91 year-old neighbor from a house fire in Essex, Md., on Oct. 16.

The theme of this year's ceremony is "Capital Guardian for Life." It serves to remind all D.C. National Guard members of their exclusive and life-long membership to the organization as well as the time-honored responsibility to the District of Columbia and the communities they serve.

The pre-ceremony concert will begin at 8:45 a.m. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. For more information contact Capt. Alan Ortiz, D.C. National Guard Public Affairs Officer at 202-685-9862 or alan.n.ortiz.mil@mail.mil.