Posted on 01/17/2005 6:20:47 PM PST by tgslTakoma
WASHINGTON -- Self-described homebody David Matheny of White Hall wouldn't make his first trip to the nation's capital for just anyone.
But this week, Matheny will take his wife Tammy and son Matthew on their first vacation in two years, traveling nearly 1,000 miles to watch President Bush get sworn in Thursday for a second term.
"I'd love to meet the guy and I'd love to shake his hand," said Matheny, 47, an insurance claims adjuster, White Hall alderman and president of the White Hall Chamber of Commerce.
"It's not often for us that we have a president that we support and admire as we do Bush," Matheny said. "If there is ever any one president we would love to meet, see in person or get close to that would be George Bush."
The Mathenys will be among thousands of Americans expected to pack the grounds outside the U.S. Capitol to watch the stately ceremony marking the start of Bush's second term.
Bush will be sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist and will deliver his inaugural address on the west front of the U.S. Capitol. The event will be followed by a parade along historic Pennsylvania Avenue and nine inaugural balls at locations throughout Washington.
The Mathenys, who arrive Tuesday for their five-day visit, plan to attend the swearing in and the parade, but could not secure ball tickets. They also plan to take a tour of the Capitol on Wednesday and are trying to schedule a White House tour.
Matheny said he hoped the experience would leave a lasting impression on 8-year-old Matthew, who before heading to bed on election night asked his mother to wake him up and tell him who won.
"President Bush is just one of those guys that, in my opinion, stands for God, country and family and good versus evil and moral versus immoral," said Matheny, an Independent.
In preparing for the trip, the family is packing for frigid temperatures with snow boots, thermal underwear, neck warmers and gloves.
"We're going to bundle up," Matheny said.
Matheny said he coordinated with representatives of Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, to get tickets to the swearing in and to arrange the Capitol tour.
Ross' office is distributing 197 tickets to the ceremony, with any leftovers going to Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers, Ross spokeswoman Adrienne Elrod said.
Boozman, the state congressional delegation's only Republican, received 325 ticket requests, with 200 coming from his own district, spokesman Patrick Creamer said.
Ross plans to attend the ceremony and the parade. He will host a reception Wednesday for the Camden Fairview High School marching band, whose members will take part in the parade.
Other events on Inauguration Day include a breakfast at the Rayburn House Office Building for all inaugural ticket holders from Arkansas, sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc., Stephens, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and Alltel Corp.
The companies are holding an afternoon parade-viewing reception, invitation only, in a suite overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue.
Gov. Mike Huckabee and his rock-and-roll band Capitol Offense will perform at the Free Republic W2 Inaugural Ball. The unofficial ball will be held Thursday at the Washington Plaza Hotel in honor of Bush and those serving in the armed forces.
:-)
Regrets. Wife and I won't make the Ball.
This guy needs to know about the FReeper Ball!
bttt
That's down in Budge's neck of the woods.
Enjoy you visit to D.C., David Matheny and family!
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