The Nome Nugget

Alaska Was Well Represented in Inaugural Parade

By Fritz Witti
Associated Press Special Service

WASHINGTON (AP) - For the first time, Alaska had its place among the states today in the inauguration of a President.

Appropriately, the 49th State was represented by a group of Eskimos -- 80 members of the unique 1st and 2nd Scout Battalions of the Alaska National Guard in the colorful parade saluting John F. Kennedy as the Nation's 35th President.

The Eskimos also were appropriate in another way. A chilling touch of winter made the day more their kind of weather. Both marchers and spectators appeared in for a frosty time.

Gov. Wm. Egan was assigned a chauffeured car at the head of Alaska's section of the parade. Next in line was the 36-piece Alaskan Air Command Band from Elmendorf Air Force Base.

The Scouts, only group of the kind in U. S. military service, were organized in 1942 to patrol the Alaska Coast.

Today marked their first participation in an inaugural parade and for many members it was the first trip outside Alaska.

On hand for the parade was Col. M. R. (Muktuk) Marston, Anchorage, who recruited the original members of the Scouts in World War II.

The band, directed by Chief Warrant Officer Henry M. Maciejewski, Munsing, Mich., represented 21 states in its membership.

Because states marched in the parade in the order of their admission to the Union, Alaska was behind Arizona and ahead of Hawaii and territorial groups.

Although the Scouts are an Army unit, they were quartered at the Anacostia Naval Station here. The band stayed at nearby Andrews Air Base.