David Eusse ’10 was out to dinner celebrating a friend’s birthday when he got the call. It was January 6, the same day rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol building.  

“I got notice that I had twelve hours to report,” the Landon Middle School Spanish Teacher and National Guard Medic explained. 

Eusse went home, packed his bags, and reported to the base in Baltimore early the following morning. From there, he prepared his gear and, on January 9, stationed near the Capitol building. He was one of the more than 20 thousand National Guard servicemembers deployed to D.C. to protect the Capitol and the area surrounding it. 

“I just kind of streamlined and thought about what needed to get done for me to do my part,” Eusse said.  

The National Guard medic says his main focus is providing medical coverage for the guards stationed throughout D.C. On some shifts, he works 24 to 48 hours straight. Cold January days dip into freezing overnight temperatures, when Eusse says it’s important to check on the troops and focus on hypothermia symptoms and dehydration.  

“It comes down to one word—and I feel the same about being a Landon member. It’s about pride. I’m proud of what I do. Be it here or be it teaching or coaching, I take pride in what I do.” 

He says his students have emailed him thanking him for his service and wishing him well. “That’s been very uplifting and encouraging when things get challenging,” he said.  

Eusse misses being in the classroom and is eager to get back to his students. “I love that they ask about it,” he said of classroom discussions about his service. “I’m very open and I think they appreciate that.” 

Eusse also deployed last spring during the pandemic. It is unclear when he will return home.  

“I love being here and serving in this purpose because that’s what I signed up for,” he said. “I’m just excited to get back.”