Posted on 12/15/2004 12:57:00 PM PST by ross_poldark
WASHINGTON — As he leaves the Capitol after taking the oath of office Jan. 20, President Bush (news - web sites) is expected to exercise a familiar presidential prerogative — reviewing the troops.
Then the real embrace of the military begins.
Bush, who campaigned for reelection as a wartime president, will have more than the usual military flourishes at his second-term inaugural ceremonies.
With 138,000 U.S. troops serving in Iraq and casualties reported nearly every day, the White House wanted to showcase the role of the armed services in the war against terrorism as well as in the nation's premier display of a peaceful transition of power.
Officials are tight-lipped about details, awaiting a briefing this week from the Presidential Inaugural Committee. But the military theme will thread through the 10 days of inaugural events that are normally highlighted by pomp and circumstance, a time when the nation's capital turns into a lavish backdrop for the revelry of the winning party.
This year, on the night of the inauguration, a Commander in Chief Ball will be open to troops who have just returned from Afghanistan and Iraq or are about to be deployed there.
Unlike the other eight official balls — contributors will pay as much as $250,000 to attend the balls and other inaugural events — this ball will be free to 2,000 enlisted personnel and noncommissioned officers and their families. The president by tradition attends all nine balls, so the invited servicemen and women will have an opportunity to socialize with their commander in chief.
There will be a pre-inaugural gala, billed as "America's Heroes: A Salute to Those Who Serve," at the MCI Center, which can seat 20,000.
And there will be 2,100 military personnel playing in bands, appearing on floats or performing in the inaugural parade, with thousands more in ceremonial units, honor cordons and even announcing the names of participants to spectators lining the route.
"The fact that we're a nation at war will be reflected throughout the inaugural," said Tracey Schmitt, a spokeswoman for the inaugural committee. "This is a way to pay tribute to those who sacrifice every day for the security of our country. We are working to celebrate the hard work of men and women of our military."
Bush's use of the military as part of his inauguration is hardly new. When George Washington traveled from Mount Vernon, his Virginia estate, to New York City for his inauguration, he was accompanied by local militias on his journey — and members of the Continental Army escorted him to Federal Hall on Wall Street, where he took the oath of office on April 30, 1789.
And if an inauguration occurs while the nation is involved in combat, the military frequently stands front and center at the festivities. In 1973, at the height of the Vietnam War, President Nixon was sworn in for a second term and was the first president to receive a 21-gun salute during an inauguration, said Senate Historian Donald A. Ritchie.
Bush's emphasis on the military during the inauguration rankles some who reminisce about Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1945 ceremony, which he moved to the White House for the only time in history — in part because of ill health and in part to tamp down the gaiety of an inaugural while the nation was at war.
Bush defenders note that given the sacrifices made daily by military personnel, it would be difficult for the White House not to make the armed services a centerpiece in the ceremonies and the celebration.
"I don't see how the military can but be a big part of the inaugural," said Victoria Clarke, former assistant secretary of Defense for public affairs. "Even people who adamantly oppose the war respect what people in uniform are doing. This is a way to show our appreciation."
Military personnel themselves seemed pleased by the attention.
"For us to work on this is an honor and privilege because so many of our brothers and sisters are not here," said Navy Capt. Curtis Reilly, spokesman for the Joint Task Force-Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, which began work on the plans long before the president was reelected.
For the U.S. military, created to be run by civilian leaders, the inaugural marks a salute to the commander in chief. "He is the ultimate commander," Reilly said. "For us, it's taking a lot of what we do and saying, 'This is peaceful continuation of authority.' "
The congressional committee in charge of the inaugural ceremony and a luncheon that follows in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol also is eager to showcase the military's contribution.
"We are engaged in a war on terrorism, and it is important that the military be given recognition," said Thomas J. Basile, press secretary to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. "Members of our armed forces play a critical role in the planning of the inaugural ceremonies. We honor their professionalism and dedication," he said.
Yes, they guarantee all of our freedoms.
"Eyes... RIGHT!"
Excellent, although keep them out of spitting range of the protesters.
Disgruntled Kerry supporters, no doubt
Me too. Welcome to FR today.
Thank you God, Thank you God, Thank you God for letting Bush win!!!!!
Thank you for the warm welcome!
As should be!
I just don't want it to look like a May Day parade.
Ooo-rah!
Damn Straight!
While on active duty I was selected for assignment to the AFIC (Armed Forces Inaugural Committee) that planned the inaugration of President Bush Senior.
It was a very challenging assignment for a senior NCO I had folks working for me from all the uniformed services except the Public Health Service.
It was a challenging assignment with daily problems. Towards the end I was working 12/12 and was totally exhausted. THe NCOICs of the various sections had preferred seating directly adjacent to the reviewing stand. I never made the ceremony having fallen asleep at my desk with my dress blues hanging on a rack.
Never regretted a minute of the assignment.
What a bummer that you missed the big performance you had worked so hard on.
I was at Colin Powell's change of command ceremony in September 1989, when he was promoted from FORSCOM to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. We were in BDUs with helmets, and the rehearsals went on for two days. I was surprised to see that there was a lot of confusion on the proper display of the divisional flags for the Army of the United States (AUS) divisions, and I had to point out to the FORSCOM chief of staff, a major general, that the flag of the 76th Division (Training) was upside down, and the man was actually grateful I did so.
On the other hand, I knew the post commander of Fort McPherson and the CO of the FORSCOM headquarters company, so I was able to chat with them during breaks. That made things go by more agreeably.
The outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Crowe, wound up talking for something like two hours, and my helmet actually dented the my scalp from sitting on my head in one place. Powell, on the other hand, was done with his remarks in about 15 minutes, and I was most grateful.
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