Minnesota National Guard on-duty to help protect Presidential Inauguration

The eyes of the nation will be focused on Washington D.C. on Wednesday for the Presidential inauguration.

More than 700 soldiers and airmen that are part of the Minnesota National Guard were deployed to the nation’s capital over the past weekend.

"When this opportunity came down, I jumped on it because I really wanted to do something for my country," said Master Sgt. Sarah Brown-Jager of the 133rd Airlift Wing. "Everyone is in really good spirits, everyone is in awe of this experience.”

5 EYEWITESS NEWS spoke with Brown-Jager via video chat while she was near the White House with the Washington monument in the background on Tuesday afternoon.

In civilian life, Brown-Jager is a lawyer in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

"I’m very honored to be here—it’s a bit emotional—because—I as an attorney I’m also sworn to uphold the constitution and as an airman I’m also sworn to defend the constitution,” Brown-Jager said.

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More than 25,000 National Guard members from every state and territory are in Washington DC to provide security for the transition of presidential power.

“It’s humbling, at the same time it’s a somber event for us to have this many soldiers and airmen needed to maintain the peace," said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Legvold, Command Chief of the 133rd Airlift Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard.

Minnesota Guard members at times are stationed at posts, help direct traffic and assist local police with security, according to officials.

"I was out in the community today with some of soldiers and airmen —community members were coming up and saying ‘Hey thanks for being here–we so appreciate you keeping our city safe during this,’ Legvold said. “They are happy we are here to do our job."

The length of the deployment to Washington DC, is unknown at this time according to the Guard.