District of Columbia DEFENSE FORCe Association

Service and Response

Our Mission

The District of Columbia Defense Force Association has built a cadre of trained and organized volunteers to serve the District in a variety of crisis/emergency response, security and community service missions. Specific assignments may include but are not limited to: augmenting local emergency operations and communications centers during crises; providing trained teams for crowd control, traffic control and security; and performing ceremonial functions.

Former District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams recognized the benefit of the DCDFA to the community when he issued a proclamation declaring October 26, 2006, as District of Columbia Defense Force Day. Here are some of the missions performed by Association volunteers:

July 27, 2010 and July 27, 2011 ― DCDFA teams provided security and visitor assistance for Korean War Armistice Day celebrations at the Korean War Memorial on the Mall for two consecutive years. DCDFA Deputy Commander David Fox also served as master of ceremonies for both observances.

July 4, 2007-2011 ― For four consecutive years, DCDFA personnel took part in the Tacoma Park Independence Day Parade. In 2009, Association members claimed first place in two categories: military units and veterans ‘ groups. In 2008, the DCDFA received a second-place trophy in the competition for military units.

May 14, 2011 ― Eight Association members provided traffic assistance for the Veterans Administration's "Welcome Home" observance in Crystal City near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for veterans returning from deployment.

February 25, 2011 ― Six DCDFA members responded to a request from the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department by providing outdoor physical security for a Black History Month observance in Ward 7.

October 31, 2009 and October 31, 2010 ― At the request of District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, members of the DC Defense Force Association provided traffic assistance and crowd control for the Seventh District Station’s annual Halloween Haunted House celebration, which annually draws more than 1,000 children and their parents to the event.

June 12, 2010 ― A DCDFA response team provided visitor assistance during the “Welcome Home” observance conducted by the Veterans Administration’s Washington Medical Center for service personnel returning from overseas deployment.

June 9-10, 2010 ― Nine Association members served as VIP greeters and roaming security personnel for performances by the Little Angels of Korea at the request of the Korean War Veterans Armistice Day Coordinating Committee. VA personnel also assisted with a June 25 concert by the Little Angels near the Korean War Memorial on the Mall as part of the observance marking the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.

January 23, 2010 ― Nine members of the Association provided security and visitor assistance at the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center in Washington during the VA’s Winterhaven Stand Down for homeless veterans.

September 12-13 and 20, 2009 ― At the request of two members of the DC City Council, the DCDFA provided security for an independent film company shooting a low-budget film in Southeast Washington during September. The project, focusing on the challenges faced by youth in coping with crime, drug dependency and violence, required a security presence, but its producers turned to the Council members for help because they did not have the financial resources to hire a security force. In keeping with its commitment to community service, the Association was pleased to lend a hand.

January 10, 2009 ― Fifteen members of the Association supported the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs by providing physical security for the VA's Winterhaven Homeless Stand Down at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Washington. During the all-day event, the VA offered medical screening, employment support and housing services to eligible homeless veterans.

April 5, 2008 ― Seventeen DCDFA members assisted the Metropolitan Police Department by providing physical security and visitor assistance during the 2008 Martin Luther King Parade in Washington's Ward 8.

November 11, 2007 ― Ten members of the Association served as parade marshals for the 2007 Veteran's Day Parade along Constitution Avenue in the District of Columbia.

June 2, 2007 ―Ten members of the DC Defense Force Association assisted the Metropolitan Police Department by providing physical security and visitor assistance during the District of Columbia's annual Unifest street festival in Anacostia.

April 7, 2007 ― Eleven members Association worked in partnership with the DC Metropolitan Police Department to provide security and visitor assistance during the District of Columbia's

Martin Luther King Day celebration. Two of our troops served as escorts for Mayor Adrian Fenty.

January 2, 2007 ― At the request of the District of Columbia National Guard, 12 DCDFA members participated in the screening of candidates for the DC Army National Guard's

Youth ChalleNGe Academy.

September 17, 2006 ― At the invitation of Serve DC, four Association members participated in "Operation Deep Rescue" disaster training exercise for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

August 26, 2006 ― Twelve Association members participated as observers and participants in Amtrak's "Operation Code Black" disaster training exercise at Union Station.

August through December 2006 ― Three DCDFA members who are Community Emergency Response Team trainers served as instructors for CERT courses conducted by Serve DC, part of the Executive Office of the Mayor.

July 19, 2006 ― Two DCDFA members who are CERT trainers provided light search-and-rescue training to students participating in TEAM DC youth program.

July 4, 2006 ― Working with other organizations partnering in the DC Citizen Corps, seven Association members staffed first aid tents and provided visitor assistance during the annual Independence Day celebration on the Mall.

June 10, 2006 ― Seven members of the DCDFA assisted the National Fuel Funds Network, National Low Income Energy Consortium and National Energy Assistance Directors' Association with preparation for the 2006 Joint Low Income Energy Conferences held in Washington, DC.