ELECTIONS

Soldier from Wisconsin rides in inaugural parade

Erin Richards
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

When Sam Ruzga graduated from Arrowhead High School in 2012, he couldn't have fathomed that he'd be riding through the streets of Washington, D.C. five years later as part of the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade.

And yet there he was at L'Enfant Plaza at 11 a.m. Friday, dressed in Civil War-era black dragoon boots, blue cotton pants and a wool jacket with gold accents, accompanied by his fellow members of the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard unit from Fort Riley, Kansas.

Their horses were tied up behind them.

Army Specialist Sam Ruzga, right, is from Nashota and riding in the inaugural parade as part of the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard

Ruzga, a 23-year-old specialist, joined the Army out of high school and two years ago moved to Fort Riley, home of the 1st Infantry Division, to join the mounted unit. The color guard honors the role the Army's cavalry played in the Civil War. Troops and horses are outfitted in the apparel of the 1860s and use tools from the same era, and they frequently appear in parades and other ceremonial events. As the head of the leather shop in Kansas, Ruzga makes and maintains the saddles and other tack.

Speaking by phone Friday after being shuffled through security, Ruzga said he would soon untie his horse, Lookout, a Mustang, and get in formation with the rest of the unit, which includes an 1871-era escort wagon pulled by two horses and two mules.

About 40 groups are part of the inaugural parade, which proceeds down Pennsylvania Ave. from the U.S. Capitol to the White House.

RELATED:Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States

RELATED:Wisconsinites live-tweeting from the inauguration

Ruzga said his unit trailered out the horses to D.C. a number of days ago, and that the rest of the troops flew. He and his coworkers have spent the past few days visiting historical sites and traversing the city in their black Stetsons and cowboy boots.

In an interview earlier this month, Ruzga called participating in the parade a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Army Specialist Sam Ruzga, 23, competes in Civil War-era cavalry exercises.