While it's not unusual to see men and women in uniform in downtown Bethesda with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center nearby, the area hasn't seen a military presence like this since the Civil War, when Maryland was occupied by Union troops to prevent the slaveholding state from seceding to join the Confederacy. Through yesterday, National Guard troops continued to be seen walking in pairs shopping at 7-Eleven, or getting takeout at restaurants near their hotels on Wisconsin Avenue.
Expect to see them for quite a while longer. The deployment of 5000 of the 25,000 Guard troops moved into the Washington, D.C. area after the January 6 storming of the Capitol has now been extended through March. Officials have cited concern over violence during the upcoming impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump as a key reason for the extension.
Glad to see them in town, and I thank them for serving whenever I see them walking around. I’m sure the hotels, shops and restaurants appreciate the business.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous @7:11 AM: Calling in the National Guard as a precaution against riots and looting last year would have been good business for local hotels, shops and restaurants as well.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if some of the local businesses enabled patrons to donate, if they wished, towards subsequent orders of the Guards' food. ("Your pizza's already covered.")
ReplyDeleteHogan said at a press conference today that some will be diverted to running vaccine distribution sites.
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