Today’s solemn ceremony touched me at some times I didn’t expect.
The first Inaugural I remember was Lyndon Johnson in 1965. As an 8 year old, I recall watching the parade from a (warm) office in the Treasury Building, looking out onto 15th Street. (My father’s best friend was an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury; it was his office that afforded us such a good seat.)
Since then, I’ve watched twelve Inaugurals, including attending Obama’s 2nd in 2013 in person as a Congressional guest. I only missed the one in 2017 (for the fraud) which I boycotted and spent the day totally away from the television.
After not watching a moment four years ago, today I have vowed to soak everything in — from early morning to night. Not just the main ceremony, but EVERY ritual . . . the gift giving, the military review, the wreath laying, the virtual parade, even the first press briefing. Tonight we’ll celebrate with neighbors, eating pizza outside while watching the special concert.
The day isn’t over, but I’ve already had waves of emotion roll over me, despite my somewhat advanced years and jaded perspective. The times I cried surprised me.
Here what brought me to tears so far today:
- Lady Gaga’s memorable National Anthem. Her rendition was truly amazing, especially the way she made eye contact with the audience. There’s hasn’t been one like this since Marvin Gaye at the NBA All-Star Game in 1983.
- J-Lo’s soulful “This Land . . .” medley. Who better to patriotically claim . . .“this land is my land . . .” than a Latina pop star. I cried thinking about the change this marks from the previous attitude towards immigrants and people of color.
- Joe Biden’s reference to suffragettes being denied their rights to march at the Inaugural 108 years ago (while lauding his groundbreaking Vice President). This one was particularly important to me. I thought of my dear, long departed grandmother, who served as Teddy Roosevelt’s personal secretary and demanded and marched for women’s suffrage. She would have so loved that moment.
- Garth Brooks’ Amazing Grace. When doesn’t this hymn move us (remember Obama)? But seeing a country music legend perform was a not so subtle signal to parts of America that we all are part of the same creed.
- Senator Roy Blount addressing Joe Biden as “Mr. President”. It was the first time I heard that — and the reality started to sink in. We have a real leader again, for four whole years.
- Mitch McConnell (of all people) addressing Kamala Harris as “Madame Vice President” Wow. The irony of it all, seeing the “turtle” having to defer to a former colleague who now holds more power than him. And that pales to the fact that there IS a “Madame Vice President”.
- The military pass by parade from the East steps of the Capitol (especially the Navy band). This meant something special to me as the father of a Naval Officer. It hurt to the core that his commission was signed by the fraud President, so the moment felt like a catharsis.
- Taps being played at Arlington Cemetery — especially when CNN cut to the sea of flags on the National Mall. Taps is always special and solemn. Even more so when juxtaposed against the 200,000 flags. If only we’d also seen the lights lining the reflecting pool honoring our 400,000 victims.
I suppose my emotions are magnified by the relief of getting a tyrant out of power. I expect there are more moving moments to come later today. The virtual parade, plus this evening’s songs (Springsteen, etc.) could be amazing. I’ll have my Kleenex handy.