Jon Ward The Washington Times - January 18, 2009, 12:05PM

National Guard units are in the streets around the White House directing traffic as crowds heading to the National Mall increase.

Nearing noontime, the sidewalks are filled with people headed to the Mall to see the inaugural celebration concert.

The crowds streaming past the White House will at some point between noon and 1 p.m. see President Bush and first lady Laura Bush returning by helicopter from Camp David, their last such return to the White House.

— Jon Ward, White House correspondent