WASHINGTON D.C. — ISU students were among 10,000 National Guard members called to duty in Washington D.C. for President Barack Obama’s inauguration Tuesday.

Members of the National Guard from across Iowa began patrolling the streets of D.C. at 11 p.m. Monday and expected to remain at that post until well into the evening Tuesday, if not early into Wednesday morning.

Specialist Sunjo Chang, sophomore in pre-business, said he arrived in Washington D.C. after being called to duty a week prior.

“We’re just helping out local authorities and making sure the inauguration goes smoothly and safely,” he said of his responsibilities this week and the tightened security for the event.

Chang said he had never been to Washington D.C. before and has found time to explore the city.

“We got a chance to walk to the White House, and we went and saw some monuments,” he said.

He said he was unsure of how long he would be in Washington with the Guard, but he said they would be there “basically as long as [authorities] need us.”

Joe Lauritson, of West Des Moines, will have served in the National Guard for two years in May.

Lauritson said he joined the National Guard for educational reasons.

“It’s funny…I still haven’t gotten into school yet,” he said.

Lauritson said in the week he has been in Washington, he estimates that he has walked at least 25 miles touring the capital.

“My favorite moment was the Vietnam Memorial,” he said. “It started out really small and then increased, and — just all of the names — I couldn’t believe it; it was crazy.”

Other members of the guard have had decidedly different experiences while in D.C.

Brian Vanfleet, of Des Moines, said he and others were feeding the squirrels while at the National Mall.

“You know, the squirrels down there are really used to people, and this one squirrel came up to me three times and didn’t take the fry, and on the third time he went around the fry and bit my finger … I guess the moral of the story is, don’t feed the squirrels,” he said with a laugh.

Vanfleet was formerly a member of the Army, and after serving for three years he took a break before deciding to join the National Guard.

He said it had been a long day in the capital, as guard members patrolled the Eighth Street area, directing traffic and people around the city.

“We got on post last night at 11 p.m. and we’re on about two hour break rotations,” he said.

“The hospital down the street has really helped us out; residents in the neighborhood have brought us out coffee and warm drinks.”

Vanfleet also said it was his first time in the city and was amazed by the Vietnam War Memorial.

Vanfleet was relieved at about 3 p.m. by Scott Anderson, another Des Moines resident.

Anderson said he was impressed with the Vietnam Memorial as well.

“For me, it’s extra special because I’m a vet. I was deployed with the first of the 133rd infantry division in Iraq,” he said.

“I lost two friends in Iraq, back in September of 2006, so the memorials have a special significance to me.”