Montana News

Ronan soldier enjoys inaugural parade

Posted: Jan 22, 2013 8:41 AM by MTN News

WASHINGTON, DC - It was a long day in the nation's capital for a soldier from Ronan stationed at Arlington National Cemetery who was part of the inaugural parade in Washington D.C.

Sergeant Rick Luchau is a farrier for the Army's Caisson Platoon, which uses horses to conduct full honors funerals for fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Luchau carried the regimental colors and lead Platoon soldiers and their horses down the streets of Washington on Monday.

He says the day started at 3 a.m. when he and fellow soldiers got their horses ready for the big day, and then they waited for the parade to begin.

"Regardless of political affiliation, one of the coolest things is being 20 feet away from the President and having him return your salute. It was a really surreal thing. I felt very lucky to be a part of it," Luchau told us.

He says their precession was between a drum line and a marching band, and after the horses got to the noise, the rest of the event went smoothly.