Puryear aids Obama swear-in

Army National Guard Maj. Alfred A. “Cotton” Puryear, a resident of Malvern, participated in the 56th presidential inauguration Jan. 20 as part of the largest ever contingent of National Guard members to serve in Washington, D.C.

More than 7,000 Army and Air National Guard members from 31 states and territories provided the 2009 presidential inauguration with military working dogs, consequence management planning, and ceremonial, logistics, and medical support through the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. National Guard members also assisted local authorities with crowd management, traffic control and emergency services operations.

The Armed Forces Inaugural Committee is established every four years by the Secretary of Defense as a joint service organization to coordinate military ceremonial participation and support inaugural events.

Puryear, a public affairs officer, is a member of the Joint Force Headquarters based in Richmond. He has served in the military for 22 years.
He is the son of Edgar F. Puryear Jr. of Madison County.

The major graduated in 1982 from Madison County High School, and received a bachelor’s degree in 1986 from Washington and Lee University in Lexington.