LEXINGTON, Va. Jan. 8, 2025 — The Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets will march in Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger’s inauguration parade through Capitol Square in Richmond, Saturday, Jan. 17.

The parade will start immediately following the inauguration ceremony, where a group of 20 cadets will serve as ushers. The Corps will appear as the second group in the parade line-up. Further back, VMI’s mascot, Moe the kangaroo, will appear in the parade with 11 other Virginia public university mascots. 

Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87, superintendent, who marched as a cadet in the inauguration parade of Gov. Gerald Baliles in 1986, said, “VMI is proud to continue the longstanding tradition of honoring the Institute’s commander in chief by marching in the inauguration parade. The parade is one of a few milestones of our cadets’ VMI experience. We look forward to paying tribute to the new governor on this historic occasion.”

Special parade practices are scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15 at 4 p.m., and Friday, Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. on VMI’s Parade Ground. The public is invited on post to view the practice parades.    

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