As planning continues for the presidential inauguration in Washington, a Berks County native is working behind the scenes to help prepare for the Jan. 21 event. Christopher Bevins, a 1996 Exeter High School graduate and an Air Force staff sergeant, recently learned he was assigned to work with personnel from other military branches in providing media coverage and sparking extra interest in the event.

"It's potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Bevins, 34, who is stationed at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. "It's really an honor to support my country and my commander in chief." Bevins' role with the military task force will include putting together broadcast pieces about the event and working with media members assigned to cover the inauguration. "There's a lot of moving pieces to something of this magnitude," Bevins said of the inauguration. "It takes support from every area that each service has to offer."

Bevins has previous experience working with the media. One of his responsibilities with the Air Force is to usher media members to interviews with President Barack Obama. While he gets within about 50 feet of the president on a weekly basis, Bevins said he has not had the opportunity to meet him. "I think it would be a great honor to meet the commander in chief," he said. "In the meantime, I'll support in any way I can."

Bevins moved to Berks County as a teenager and worked various retail jobs at the Berkshire Mall and the Reading outlets before attending Reading Area Community College for a few semesters. He decided to join the Air Force in 2006 for the benefits and travel it offered.
He said the Air Force has taken him to Iraq, Japan and all over the Pacific. He is excited to be a part of history and to work with other military members leading up to Inauguration Day.

"I'll remember it for the rest of my life," he said.