Ian Dingle, a 2013 Signal Mountain Middle High School graduate and senior at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, can now say he has made eye contact with one of the most powerful men in the world. Dingle participated in the recent inauguration parade of President Donald Trump, where he had the honored role carrying the American flag.
Dingle was one of seven members of UTK's Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps Rocky Top Battalion to be selected to attend the event, said his mother, Peggy Donnellan. Dingle has been a member of the Dragoons, a special company of the ROTC that performs the color guard for university events, for all four years he's been at UTK. He said he was selected to attend the inauguration because of his seniority and dedication to the group. The Dragoons are considered a part of UTK's Pride of the Southland Marching Band, which he traveled with to the inauguration.
"The most interesting part was seeing how big the event truly is, and the amount of coordination necessary between law enforcement from across the country and active duty military to run checkpoints and set the parade routes," said Dingle. "It's a massive event, and it's just really cool to see."
He said the parade was delayed because the route was blocked by protesters, who at one point singled out the Southland Marching Band, criticizing its members for participating in the event.
But Dingle wasn't bothered.
"It's an honor to march in something so big, a national parade to celebrate the commander-in-chief," said Dingle, whom Trump saluted as he passed holding the flag. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and something I'm going to hold forever. I'm grateful to the University of Tennessee ROTC program, which is the reason I've had so many great opportunities."
In May, Dingle is scheduled to commission as an active duty second lieutenant of the U.S. Army in the field artillery, and will head to Fort Sill, Okla., to attend a Basic Officer Leader Course for approximately six months.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.