Congratulations, Mr. President
Yes, Chief Justice Roberts flubbed the oath, despite a helpful pause from President Obama. Not sure if anyone is really serious about a do-over. But never mind that: what comes after the oath seals the deal and always makes my heart skip a beat regardless of who the new president is and whether or not he can recite the oath perfectly. Maybe I’m just a closet monarchist after all but here it is:
- Ruffles (played on drums), and flourishes (on bugles) . The President of the United States receives four ruffles and flourishes (the highest honor) before the playing of …
- Hail to the Chief: Originating as a spin-off of a poem by Sir Walter Scott, the fanfare we know today was first played for an arriving president, James Polk, in 1845. The Department of Defense made it official in 1954.
- While this is happening and president and the crowds are waving at each other, a 21-gun salute is fired off by the 1st Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment.
It sounds corny (or, if you hate guns, barbaric) but there’s nothing like it. For me, the inauguration ceremony isn’t complete until I see it and hear it. And this year, it had special significance as it meant that Barack Obama really, finally, had become President of the United States.
Watch:
