By Michael Copley
Staff writer

For the thirteenth time in 100 years, the VMI Corps of Cadets will march in the Presidential Inaugural Parade, January 20 in Washington D.C.

The Corps of Cadets first marched in the 1909 Inaugural Parade for William Howard Taft and this year five PHS graduates will participate in the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama.

Powhatan’s Logan Swanson, Josh Byerly, Jake Maier, Daniel Vaden, and Olivia Moore, all VMI cadets, will join their entire 1,400 member Corps in the parade that will begin at the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building and proceed along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

Participation in the Inaugural Ceremonies is based on application.

“It is a high honor for VMI to participate in the Presidential Inauguration,” VMI Superintendent Gen. J. H. Binford Peay III said in a press release. “For these cadets, it will be an exciting and proud day in their time at VMI, and I expect it will be something they will look back on from a historic perspective with fondness.”

VMI Lt. Col. Stewart MacInnis said this week will be spent in preparation for the event, but cadets are well rehearsed at marching in formation.