A Bonny Eagle High School graduate experienced Tuesday’s presidential inauguration in unforgettable fashion – he was among the 27 Navy men marching in the unit at the head of the inaugural parade.
P.O. 3rd Class Peter Anthony, 23, is a member of the U.S. Navy Presidential Escort Unit.
“We are the presidential honor guard,” said Anthony, in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C.
A 2004 Bonny Eagle graduate, Anthony graduated from Navy basic training in March 2007. He was selected for a two-year tour with the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard based at Anacostia Naval Station in Washington, D.C.
He said two months of advanced training is required before becoming an actual member of the guard. From the ceremonial guard, Anthony was selected for the special role with the Presidential Escort Unit.
As a member of the ceremonial guard, a high security clearance is required because of close proximity with the president at events. As an example, outgoing President George W. Bush passed close to Anthony on Jan. 6 at Bush’s armed forces farewell ceremony at Fort Myer, Va.
Anthony’s unit has been drilling seven days a week since October for the inaugural parade. Tuesday was a long day for Anthony, who got to bed about midnight.
“I was up, shaved, in uniform and ready to go at 5 a.m.,” he said, adding that he had a late muster at 9:30 p.m. Monday for a last-minute uniform inspection.
He said the temperature for the parade was about 25 degrees with a wind chill.
Anthony said people along the route applauded everybody.
“They were going nuts,” Anthony said after returning to his barracks about 6 p.m. “It was great.”
When President Obama stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, Anthony said he passed within about 30 feet of him.
In Buxton, his paternal grandmother, Susan Anthony, was surprised to learn Monday that her grandson would be in the unit at the head of the inaugural parade.
“For heaven sakes,” she said when she heard the news. “Leading the parade, isn’t that wonderful.”
His maternal grandmother, Jane Cote of South Portland, had brunch with her grandson in Washington, D.C., a few weeks ago.
“He looks wonderful,” said Cote, who called her grandson’s parade appearance “great.”
Anthony hails from a military family. According to brother John Anthony of Standish, their mother’s father was in the Navy. And his uncle, Stephen Anthony of Buxton, is a Marine Corps veteran.
“It’s quite an event for the country,” Stephen Anthony said.
And for his mother, Natalie Trippel of South Portland, the event was particularly special.
“I’m very proud of my son,” she said.
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