WASHINGTON D.C., DC — A Mooresville High School graduate who now serves in the U.S. military landed the chance to witness the swearing-in of his new commander in chief in person.
Seaman Ethan Prilliman talked with 13News by telephone shortly after his role in the inaugural celebration of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Wednesday.
Prilliman learned via email that he would be participating. He thought his fellow seaman were teasing him just to get him hyped when they revealed the Navy's selection.
"It was just absolutely mind-blowing. I was just not expecting it," Prilliman said.
When Prilliman joined the Navy Color Guard Platoon, he had no clue it would lead to a presidential inauguration. The Navy chose him out of 40 finalists to do their flag presentation. Prilliman is trained and certified to conduct the ceremony presentations.
He joined the military after high school for an opportunity to travel the country and possibly the world. Being part of the color guard allows him to attend various events, with the presidential inaugural now at the top of the list.
"This staff isn't the normal staff," Prilliman said. "It's the presidential staff they use for these ceremonies and it's made of ebony gold and it's around 50 to 60 pounds alone."
The Indiana native considered himself an average student, but the inaugural is anything but. Ethan graduated from Mooresville High School where his principal, teachers and classmates are all proud of him.
Mooresville High School Principal Brian Disney said their town is a huge supporter of the military with a large number of veterans, Ethan's participation in the in inaugural is a big deal. He shared with 13News his memories of Ethan as a student at the school.
"He was a great kid, hard worker," Disney said. "He is very polite, and one of those kids you really enjoying being around."
Other Hoosier participation includes the prerecorded performance of the Culver Academy Marching Band in the Parade Across America.
Indiana Senator Todd Young shared photos that include the Indiana National Guard in D.C. for a ceremony Ethan could only imagined until now.
Prilliman wants his fellow classmates and students at Mooresville High to not limit themselves. He told 13News that his experience is a testimony that skies are the limit if you put in the hard work.
Prilliman's sister shared video of the inaugural with her coworkers. His parents watched from home with their eyes glued to the TV screen for an opportunity to see their son play a role in history.
"Me being a small town country boy from Indiana, I never thought I would be holding the Navy flag at the Inauguration," Prilliman said.
Remnants remain of the riots in Washington that happened two weeks ago. Prilliman is disappointed about what happened at the Capitol that day but considers the inauguration the chance of a lifetime.