Utah Marine gets unique vantage of inauguration at the U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON — One Utahn had a rare perspective for Monday’s inauguration as the new president, past presidents and other dignitaries were arriving. U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jacob Dorton was part of an honor cordon at the Capitol, his first time participating in an inauguration. “It was an amazing experience,” Dorton stated in a text Monday afternoon. “A great honor to be a part of this historic event. It was surreal seeing all the living presidents up close as they passed by.” Cameras captured Dorton as President Donald Trump walked through the Capitol on his way to the Rotunda. Dorton is part of the Marines’ Body Bearers section and recently helped to carry the casket of former President Jimmy Carter in and out of the Capitol around the time of his funeral.

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“My whole experience in D.C. is going to be a very, very big part of what I’m telling my kids one day, absolutely,” Dorton said during an interview ahead of the inauguration. “I’ve been a part of lots of very cool things, very honorable things and hopefully they continue.” Dorton grew up in Orem and attended Orchard Elementary and Canyon View Junior High and graduated from Orem High School. He attended Snow College and Utah Valley University before enlisting in the Marine Corps. Even at that point, he didn’t expect to be part of the Body Bearers. “I just kind of got lucky,” Dorton said. “The recruiters for the section came out to my infantry school when I was out in California and I was selected, came here, trained. (I) took about 6 months to get through the schoolhouse and then became a Body Bearer and I’m loving it. I absolutely love the job.”

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