Shelton grad at inauguration

A Shelton High School graduate serving in the U.S. Space Force will have an out-of-this-world assignment at Monday's presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.

Sgt. Nicholas Ames "will make history by bearing the Space Force flag in its inaugural debut as part of the Joint Service Colorguard," according to a military news release.

Ames, 24, joined the Air Force after his graduation from SHS in 2019 and has served in the Space Force for five years.

Space Force was established as a branch of U.S. Armed Forces in the Department of the Air Force on Dec. 20, 2019, by President Donald Trump.

"We're beyond proud," his father, Michael Ames, told the Journal.

He and Nicholas' mother, Kerry Ames, will be watching the televised swearing-in ceremony, hoping to see their son.

"We are going to be glued to the big screen," Ames said.

"We'll probably make hors d'oeuvres and snacks and spend the day watching."

Nicholas Ames, a Space Force Honor Guard, will join the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region as one of more than 5,000 service members from all branches supporting the 60th presidential inauguration.

He is responsible for training and equipping platoon and cordon members for the ceremony, as well as bearing the Space Force flag in the Joint Service Colorguard.

Nicholas Ames' military assignments often involve political events and politicians.

Michael Ames shared a story about watching Nicholas during Trump's first presidency.

"He was on the South Lawn of the White House holding the Florida state flag when Trump was last in office," he said.

"He was 15 feet away from Zelensky" when the Ukranian president visited President Joe Biden, Ames said.

"Two weeks later Putin invaded," he said.

"He was also 10 feet away from Pelosi when they did the unveiling of her portrait," Ames said.

"He just keeps bringing the hits."

One of Nicholas Ames' most meaningful assignments, according to his father, was when he was at a birthday party for the Air Force and was randomly given the Star of David flag to hold.

"Since we're Jewish and have a Polish Jewish heritage, it was like karma that he got that flag," Ames said.

Nicholas Ames always likes to mention his mentor at SHS, Master Sgt. Daniel Hernandez with NJROTC, who is retired now, Michael Ames said.

"He took Nicholas under his wing," Ames said.

"Nicholas Ames, why are you in my class right now?" Ames said Hernandez asked the first day of NJROTC.

"Sir, I am inspired by my grandfather Jim Ames, who was a lieutenant in the Navy. I want to be like my grandpa," Ames said Nicholas responded.

The Ames family has a history of service, with Michael Ames retiring after 24 years as a corrections officer at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton and Kerry Ames currently employed as a counselor there.

Nicholas Ames lives in Virginia and is stationed in D.C., but "has been a Shelton boy his whole life," his father said.

"It is extremely humbling and a privilege to have come from a small town and JROTC program to now serving in both the Air Force and now Space Force Honor Guard. It's been an amazing journey to go from being the very first Space Force Ceremonial Guardsman to leading, training, and equipping the first 60 Guardians representing our interests in space and cyberspace," Nicholas Ames said in a statement provided by the military.

Nicholas Ames' proud parents can't wait for Monday's inauguration.

"I am so excited!" Michael Ames said.