Rose fills place in national elections
Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
DENVER, Colo. - As Barack Obama stood center stage here to accept his party's nomination, the soldier son of a Garfield woman stood quietly in the shadows, far away from the spotlights and cameras that focused on the candidate and his supporters. Army National Guard Pfc. Quinten A. Rose, son of Deandra Romine, Hickory St., Garfield, and more than 1, 000 service members were gathered here, not as political revelers, but as experts with special capabilities to support the Secret Service, FBI and law-enforcement officials in providing a safe and secure environment for the Democratic National Convention.
Rose is an unmanned aerial vehicle operator with the 86 th Military Intelligence Battalion in Watkins, Colo. His efforts here helped this event take place without interruption.
"I support the local law enforcement. I'm called the'RTO'or the radio guy. I carry around the megaphone to help the platoon leader give out the commands if it gets too loud," said Rose.
American military service members, such as Rose, are sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and take their orders from the President or their governor, and senior-ranking officers. Professionally they are apolitical, but Rose realized why his military contribution to this political convention was important.
"If the crowd gets too loud, and the soldiers can't hear the commands too well, the platoon leader gets the megaphone and gives the commands," Rose said.
A special military organization was formed here with personnel from the active-duty ranks, reservists and National Guardsmen. Named the Joint Task Force - Democratic National Convention, this military organization was not in charge of security operations, but aided federal and local agencies. Some military members brought special capabilities the civil authorities either didn't have or didn't have enough of for the event. Military specialties such as search "bomb dogs," chemical, biological or radiological specialists, firemen, military policemen and soldiers trained in riot control all helped the other federal agencies in accomplishing the security needs for this large-scale political convention.
Working as a military member on the streets of a major American city in support of other federal agencies, Rose believes this experience will leave a lasting impression.
"It's really fun. I enjoy the training and my fellow soldiers, along with my leaders. I just enjoy spending time with the soldiers in my platoon," Rose said.
Although Rose was well suited for this special assignment, he has a traditional military background.
"I have been in the military for almost two years. I haven't served overseas yet, but I hope to do so soon, so I can have the experience. I'm also hoping to go to college and get a degree in videotape programming," Rose said.
Although the cameras and spotlights have moved on with the candidate, Rose will continue with his traditional military duties and responsibilities, while remembering the moment he helped a man who could be president.
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