Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 5, 1995 TAG: 9505050068
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The unit traveled to Fredericksburg April 29 to participate in the Stafford County Honor Guard Competition, the first such competition held in Virginia.
The event was a fund-raiser for the Virginia State Special Olympics. Fifteen agencies from the state and the District of Columbia participated.
Christiansburg's color guard was established in February 1992, with initial training conducted by the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Color Guard.
Lt. Douglas W. Marrs manages and trains the unit. He was pleased with the group's performance, noting that Christiansburg was the only Virginia agency to place in the presentation category.
The U.S. Capitol Police Ceremonial Unit placed first and the Metro Transit Police Department from Washington placed second.
"We had stiff competition in Fredericksburg. We saw uniforms and drills there that we had never seen before," Marrs said. "They were all winners in my book."
Christiansburg's color guard has been very visible in recent years, performing at Christmas parades, police academy graduations, the town's bicentennial celebration and at the funerals of Christiansburg Officer Terry Griffith and Wythe County Deputy Cliff Decker.
Members who competed were: Sgt. Don Sabo and officers Kevin Darden, Curtis Brown, Dalton Reid and Andy Schack. Officer Derek Altizer, who is also a member of the unit, attended to videotape the event. Officer Todd Miller, another member, is still recuperating from a broken leg and was unable to attend.
"We're so proud," Chief Ron Lemons said. "We've known that we were the best in the state of Virginia for some time. We've been constantly told that by hundreds of people. This just validates what we already knew."
Memo: ***CORRECTION***