The primary mission of the Navy Ceremonial Guard, created in 1931, is to represent the service in presidential, Joint Armed Forces, Navy, and public ceremonies in and around Washington, D.C., according to the Navy’s website. Sailors in the ceremonial guard have participated in other military ceremonies at local commands and have represented the Navy in public events around the world.
Roach, a 2007 Monroe High School graduate, was hand-selected to carry the Navy flag for the NATO Summit in Chicago later this month, said Lt. Joe Ditchett, of the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard. He’s also on the “short list and is being groomed” to carry the Navy flag for the presidential inauguration in January 2013.
“He is our ‘go-to’ sailor for many of our highest profile events,” said Ditchett, a company officer responsible for initial training, and commandwide unit-level training.
While being the tallest guardsman, standing at 6-foot-8, Ditchett said Roach is one of the “most mature and talented.”
Roach was asked to join the guard during basic training. When he accepted the assignment, though, he said, “I didn’t know what to expect.”
“I decided to (join the ceremonial guard) because I felt like it was such an honor to render honors to the people that have passed away that have given 20-, 30-plus years in the military,” he said.
“I get to meet people that the majority of the people in the Navy don’t get to meet,” said Roach, who’s met the Secretary of Defense, the Chief of the Navy, and various admirals, vice admirals and officers.
He said he quickly learned the meaning behind the guard.
“I’m representing the entire the Navy, representing the people who are already stationed on ships and in foreign countries, and I set my standards even higher,” said Roach. “In my uniform, I make sure I look the best because I want to represent us the best as I can.”
Roach joined the Navy a little more than a year ago mainly because he “wanted to see what’s out there in the world.”
“I know there’s so many places I want to go and visit, and a part of me wanted to put in my time and serve my country,” he said.
Roach’s father, Bill, said his son “has always been a goal-oriented kid.”
Bill Roach said he always “flew by the seat of his pants” and “never really knew what I wanted to be or where I wanted to go in my life.” But his son, as well as his daughter, Kaylyn, 22, “believe in themselves and have confidence.”
“I couldn’t be more proud of him,” he said. “I wish I was the kind of guy he is when I was his age.”
Roach attended the Northern Kentucky University for a year, then Miami University Middletown for a year before deciding to join the Navy.
In March 2013, Roach will complete his duty assignment with the ceremonial guard and will leave for Meridian, Miss., where he’ll be trained as a logistics specialist.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or michael.pitman@coxinc.com. Follow at
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