NC soldier on first assignment: 21-gun salute to a former president

"He only gets one of these, so we’re just here to make it the best one we can give him," said Matthew Blanton, a private in the Third U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).

Blanton's task on Monday was to keep the count, assuring that George H.W. Bush got the full salute he was due as a former president.

It was the first assignment for the soldier from Roanoke Rapids.

"As the rounds fire, I’m going to count them out loud so our OIC (officer in charge) can understand how many rounds we do, so we don’t go over, don’t go under. We know exactly how many rounds we’re on," Blanton said.

"It's an honor to do this for anyone, not just the president, but this being a president, it’s a huge honor for me being so new to this and having this opportunity to take place in history," he said.

Blanton is 18 years old. He doesn’t remember a world where George H.W. Bush was president. But his parents do. They were watching from home Monday, hoping for a glimpse of their son.

"Even if no one gets to see you, it's about what you do for other people," Blanton said. "What we’re about to do is a little bigger than ourselves."

It is an honor deserving of the very best Blanton has to give.

"Perfection is what they deserve, and that’s what we are going to give him," he said.