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By Helen Ross
PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents

BETHESDA, Md. -- This wasn't your high school drill team. No, not hardly.

The United States Air Force Drill Team performs during the Opening Ceremony of the AT&T National. (WireImage)

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To celebrate the 4th of July at the AT&T National, host Tiger Woods kicked off a ceremony to honor those who have served or are currently serving in the armed services. Woods, Frank Lickliter II and former President George H.W. Bush explain.  • To watch,  click here

These guys wore crisp blue uniforms and carried M-1 Garande rifles with fixed bayonets that glistened in the sunlight. Each gun weighed 11 pounds -- and each one worked.

"Feel free to applaud and cheer," the soldier said as he introduced his contemporaries to the crowd gathered beside the first tee at Congressional Country Club on Wednesday morning. "You won't break their concentration."

It was a good thing, too, particularly when one brave guardsman walked down a gauntlet unscathed -- not once, but twice -- as his peers thrust those rifles tipped by their sharp silver knives back and forth in his path.

The performance by the Air Force Silent Drill Team was just one component of a stirring and spine-tingling Fourth-Of-July opening ceremony to kick off the inaugural AT&T National in this Washington, D.C. suburb.

As a Navy band played "God Bless America," former First Lady Barbara Bush, who doubles as the current First "Mother," arrived in a golf cart and settled into her seat on the first tee. Wearing white pearls and a blue vest, she was carrying a small American flag.

Her husband was next to make the scene, driven down the fairway by none other than Tiger Woods, the tournament's host and the game's No. 1 player. But the focus on this hot, humid Wednesday morning was clearly on some of the other attendees.

A group of soldiers from the Wounded Warriors Project, all wearing red golf shirts, flanked the first tee. A team of Green Berets from Fort Bragg, who had driven up from North Carolina to be part of the event, stood nearby and despite the steamy weather, looked surprising cool in their dress uniforms.

Those men and women -- and through them, military personnel worldwide -- were the people those several thousand fans had come to honor on the nation's birthday. And the crowd, including a woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty, was treated to quite a show.

Specialist Vicki Golding from the National Guard brought chills as she sang the National Anthem a capella. Minutes later, four Black Hawk helicopters appeared on the horizon and executed a fly by over the first hole, prompting applause and waves from the fans.

Then it was Former President George H.W. Bush's turn. After Woods bent over to tee the ball up, the 41st President was to hit the ceremonial first tee shot.

"If anybody laughs, they're dead," the former President said as he took a few practice swings. "We've got Secret Service here." He was not above asking for a mulligan, either but none was needed as his drive got airborne and sailed toward the 60-foot American flag unfurled beside the left side of the fairway.

The AT&T National was officially under way.

The ceremony came at the midway point of the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am, which honors the father of the game's No. 1 player. Earl Woods, who was a Green Beret and served in Vietnam, died a year ago in May.

"I had always dreamed of hosting an event like this one day and here we are," said the younger Woods, who became a father himself two weeks ago. "It is unreal to have this kind of reception. It has given me chills already.

"I grew up on a military base, and that was my home course. I understand the commitment it takes to do what you do each and every day."

Earlier in the day, Woods gave one of the soldiers stationed at the seventh hole to caddy for the pro-am participants a thrill. The game's No. 1 player put Army Sergeant Mike Woods (no relation) on the spot when he handed him the putter -- and the soldier responded by making the 12-foot putt.

The Green Berets came from Fort Bragg, on their own, and to honor the memory of Earl Woods and help tournament organizers. They served as hosts to the Wounded Warriors and several will work as announcers on the first and 10th tees.

As the Green Berets walked to the driving range to meet with Tiger Woods, TOUR veteran Brad Faxon took off his hat, stopped several and introduced himself. The soldiers, who came to give of their time, were clearly moved by their reception at Congressional.

"These guys are the heart and soul of the Special Forces," Major Jim Gregory said proudly. "And that ceremony was something special. Every time I hear the National Anthem, it tugs at my heart.

"Not only that, but talking and mingling with the Wounded Warriors was great. We have a special bond. Every one of the men who came with me has served in combat and had bullets go by their heads."

Gregory said he wouldn't classify anyone in his group from Operation Detachment-Alpha as an avid golfer. They're more into extreme sports like skydiving, he said, but the soldiers, who recently returned from Afghanistan, understand the hard work golfers must put in to excel at their craft.

"We have the same integrity, the same commitment to excellence and the same values that Earl Woods taught Tiger," he said.

PGA TOUR veteran Frank Lickliter II, who spent last Thanksgiving in Iraq visiting soldiers there, was among several players who attended the opening ceremony. He stayed long after it was over to greet the Wounded Warriors and Green Berets.

"These guys are absolutely incredible," said Lickliter, who helped raise more than $200,000 for the Wounded Warriors Project last year. "It's an honor to stand next to them."

Lickliter spoke for everyone on Wednesday.