By Dona Fair
WASHINGTON D.C. – When President Obama takes the constitutional oath of office in front of what is expected to be one of the largest crowds ever, the son of a Signal Mountain man will be smiling. For Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Nathan R. Cox, son of E. Neal Cox of Sawyer Road, Signal Mountain, weeks of training and coordination, along with many early morning and late night rehearsals in rainy, frigid weather, has paid off in helping to make this historical inauguration a huge success.
This inauguration will mark the 56th time the U.S. military has helped welcome the incoming commander in chief. It is a tradition that goes back to the first U.S. chief executive, George Washington. Cox is one of more than 700 members supporting the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, a joint-service organization formed to coordinate all military participation and support for the 10-day period of Inaugural events.
“I am part of the route control team. My job is to help make sure that the parade keeps moving smoothly and to control the flow and pace of the parade,” said Cox, who graduated in 2000 from a Chattanooga home school program. “My team is comprised of members from all of the military branches of service, yet we are all coming together and starting to become a great team.”
Whether performing as a member of the color guard, as a driver, street security, usher or 
escort for distinguished visitors, participating in marching bands, or salute batteries, to working behind the scenes as contingency support personnel, Cox, and the others undergo intensive training and preparation for the ceremonial support that they will provide.
Inaugural day events include the swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the U.S. Capitol; and the two-mile inaugural parade from the U.S. Capitol to the White House, which will include a procession of ceremonial military regiments, citizens groups, marching bands, and floats; and 10 official inaugural balls.
“To be a part of this event, I have had uniform inspections and studied parade plans to understand how we fit in. We go out and physically study the parade route and coordinate with other divisions to make sure we are all working together and ensuring that the parade goes smoothly,” said Cox.
The Inaugural theme, “A New Birth of Freedom,” taken from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, is especially fitting as the country prepares to inaugurate the first African-American as the 44th president of the United States. For Cox, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“Being a part of this historical inauguration is definitely the high point of my military career so far. The eyes of the entire world will be watching, so it is a little intimidating to be under such a high-powered microscope,” Cox said. “I am glad that I volunteered and hope
that I represent Tennessee and the Tennessee Army National Guard well.”
For Cox, an ammunition supply noncommissioned officer assigned to Headquarters, 230th Sustainment Brigade, Chattanooga, January 20th goes down as a day in history that he will never forget, and a day that begins a fresh start for a new president and the nation.
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