Mass. National Guard troops headed home amid parking garage controversy

MELROSE, Mass. — Thousands of National Guard troops are headed home Saturday following controversy in Washington, D.C. earlier in the week.

Images went viral Thursday showing National Guard troops resting on the concrete ground of a parking garage.

The service members had been taking breaks from their 12-hour shifts inside the Capitol building all week, but were moved to an underground parking garage Thursday.

According to multiple reports, the parking garage had two toilets, one electrical outlet and no internet service.

The treatment outraged both democrats and republicans, and had some governors calling their troops to come home early.

“To be treated with that kind of disrespect, I think a lot of governors are second guessing and saying, well, we’re going to pull them back,” said New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu. “I don’t know who’s responsible, frankly I don’t care, I just have to protect my troops and do what’s right.”

It’s still unclear who specifically ordered the troops to rest in the garage, but according to the Massachusetts National Guard Commander in the National Capitol Region, Capitol building officials directed those National Guard soldiers assigned to the Senate portion of the Capitol building to move their break area to a parking garage due to the Senate being in session.

About 25,000 Guard members from all 50 states were deployed to D.C. to assist with security ahead of President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

In Massachusetts, 500 Guard members were deployed, including 80 who left from the armory in Melrose.

Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur is inviting people to help welcome the National Guardsmen and women home. He said they’re set to arrive between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday.

“I am excited to announce that the 1-82nd Infantry Regiment will be returning to Melrose tomorrow [Saturday] afternoon after their successful deployment to Washington, D.C.,” Brodeur posted on Twitter.

“We welcome all Melrosians to welcome them home by lining the sidewalks around the armory (with masks and appropriate social distancing) with signs and flags.”

Cox Media Group