photo by Adam Skoczylas A Patriot Missile Battery stands guard over the Capitol this week as part of the Public Service Recognition Week display on the National Mall.

Tuesday Carter greeted visitors to Public Service Recognition Week in a tent on the National Mall. He spoke about his job at the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region, Military District of Washington’s booth.

‘‘I make sure the patients have everything they need,” Carter said.

Service members and civilians explained their many and varied roles to visitors from several large tents or outside next to their equipment.

Old Guard Soldier Spc. Robert Maskew wore his dress blues to the event.

‘‘I’m helping promote the Old Guard to people who come and visit D.C. and help promote goodwill toward the Army,” Maskew said. ‘‘I did it two years ago. They ask, how I like the Army and how it’s changed my life. Basic questions like that.”

Staff Sgt. Alexander Borisov of the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps wore his Revolutionary War-era uniform.

‘‘I’m representing the Military District of Washington,” he said. Borisov explained how fifers and drummers were used to communicate commands from one company to another during battles and to regulate the troops’ day when in camp.

A Soldier from Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Pfc. Matthew McCloy, demonstrated a Self Contained Toxic Environment Protective Outfit.

‘‘If there was a chlorine spill or a tanker accident, or known chemical hazard, we get called, [at] no notice, [for] world-wide deployment,” he said.

Representatives from the Combat Feeding Directorate at the Natick Soldier Research and Development Center showed off some new menu items for warriors. They displayed a ‘‘kitchen in a carton.”

One box now contains 18 self-heating meals for hungry Soldiers. Just pull the tab on four pouches and 30 to 40 minutes later the troops have a hot meal complete with utensils and hot sauce.

The Marines also landed on the Mall. Marine Sgt. Charles Dane talked about his Light Armored Vehicles, which children enjoyed climbing in. The sergeant said the tires help propel the amphibious vehicle along with its propellers when in water. There were two LAVs there one a logistics vehicle and the other one had a coaxial chain gun and two machine guns mounted on it.

‘‘It has a 72 gallon fuel tank,” he said. ‘‘It gets 400 miles on one tank of gas. They’re really good, more manageable than a tank. If you live in one for six months, they lose their appeal. Both of these vehicles are combat veterans along with the men.”

Maj. Rob Patterson showed off one of the new MRAPs, or Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles.

‘‘The V shaped hull helps deflect blasts,” he said. ‘‘It has suspended seats, fire suppressions systems ...one for the engine, one for the wheels and one in the troop compartment.”

The thick armor doors feel like a vault when pulled open. The 35,000 pound vehicle can carry nine Soldiers.

‘‘The troops really like them,” Patterson said. ‘‘Three thousand have been produced so far out of the 5,000 contracted.”