As the truths of 2021 begin to sink in with more unexpected antics, drama, and harsh realities than one could have imagined - and of what we thought was to stay in 2020 - a breath of fresh air that comes with any new administration is heading our way. On Wednesday, January 20, 2021, the 46th President of the United States will be inaugurated.
Lucky for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the traditions of Presidential Inaugurations tend to evolve over time. Whether it’s a change in venue due to inclement weather or a change in date due to the 20th Amendment [Thank God for that!], switching up a couple of words in the oath here and there, or even having to re-do the oath itself, many presidents have added some flair to their inaugural addresses and ceremonies regardless of it being spontaneous or a mistake. Due to these instances, many Presidents have left an impact and precedent as the first presidents to do a certain act during their inaugurations. During his second inauguration President George Washington gave the shortest speech ever delivered, while President William Henry Harrison gave the longest speech, speaking 10,000 words. And on a sad note, President Harrison died of pneumonia only 32 days after his inauguration. The youngest president-elect at their inauguration was President Theodore Roosevelt at 42 years old. President Dwight Eisenhower was lassoed by a cowboy named Monty Monatana during inaugural festivities - the Secret Service gave permission of course. The first president to bring a poet into a ceremony was President John F. Kennedy - however, the first time wasn’t a charm! Famous poet Robert Frost couldn’t read due to the glare, causing him to go off of his original recitation of “The Preface,” and instead recite his own poem “The Gift Outright” which he knew by heart. President Jimmy Carter was the first president to exit his limo outside of the Capitol and walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House with his family, waving to his fellow American bi-standers - he is also the longest living former president at the age of 95. President Barack Obama had to repeat his oath of office due to some jumbled up words by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court which led Obama to mix up his words, becoming the first president to ever have to take the oath a second time - Obama became the President of the United States of America [again!] in a matter of 25 seconds.
The 59th Inauguration will be nowhere near imperfect, but rather a newly accepted tradition of being virtual during a Covid-19 pandemic that has plagued our Nation. On the eve of the inaugural, Tuesday, January 19, 2021, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attended a memorial service honoring the 400,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19 at the Lincoln Memorial. The ceremony featured 400 lights turned on around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. "To heal, we must remember. It's hard, sometimes, to remember. But that's how we heal. It's important to do that as a nation," remarked Mr. Biden before taking a moment of silence. What a glorious way to reflect on those who have perished with a light shining bright on these individuals. I personally lost a close friend due to Covid and who was like a cousin to me. Rest in peace Gerard Beauregard Gelpi, “Beau,” he was a bright guy who went to University of Virginia and Tulane Law School. And, he had a serious gift - music - and played the guitar with his brother, Gus. When music plays, I will think of him, as if he is making sure we are listening. God Bless You Beau!
And I would be remiss to not bow my head down to those who lost their life at the Capitol protecting our democracy. It was shameful, hurtful, and inexcusable what happened. Those people who tarnished our history and our faith that day, January 6, 2021, are not Americans. It was the day of the Epiphany, one of the holiest days in Christianity - celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and the three wise men traveling to Bethlehem to recognize him as the son of God.
And while Americans are being told to enjoy the inauguration from the comforts of their homes, the National Mall in Washington D.C. is still an overwhelmingly, beautiful sight even when viewing it from a television set. Instead of a crowd filled with hundreds of thousands of people, the National Mall has been masked in a “Field of Flags,” representing the Americans of all 50 states, and 6 US Territories, who cannot attend this year’s inauguration due to the pandemic.
We have witnessed so much history over the past year, and the unity of our country is needed now more than ever before. Biden has pledged “to be a President who seeks not to divide, but to unify,” and that this victory is “a victory for ‘We the People’.” As a country we should be hopeful of his promise and excited to see what his term will bring for all of us, if all are willing to accept change. Let your PATRIOTISM soar on Wednesday, as you watch the 46th President of the United States recite the oath to all of us and celebrate the AMERICAN WAY!
