Region Hosts Inaugural Recognition Ceremony

Regional Director Peggy O’Dell and Deputy Regional Director Lisa Mendelson recently hosted an inaugural recognition ceremony for NCR employees who worked to support the Presidential Inaugural and related events in January.

Nearly 300 employees representing all NCR parks, together with U.S. Park Police Chief Sal Lauro and key staff, gathered at NCR headquarters to receive certificates of appreciation and lapel pins for the work accomplished in what some describe as the largest inaugural events and crowds ever.   

Among the accomplishments cited were the numerous interpretive programs given on the presidency and the history of the inauguration, the security enforcement operation, and the extensive maintenance response.

O’Dell thanking all employees for going beyond their regular jobs. This inauguration marked the first time the entire length of the National Mall was used, with huge crowds of visitors standing virtually the entire two-mile length, from the U.S. Capitol west to the Lincoln Memorial.

After the outdoor ceremony, employees were invited indoors to see a video featuring a sampling of NCR staff who worked during the inaugural.  While indoors, Eastern National’s Washington director, Stacey Madalena, highlighted a new sales item, “Greater Washington National Parks,” featuring all NCR parks in a “coffee table book,” a soft cover publication.