And the band marches on
By Holli Chmela
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL


Washington, DC, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Despite frigid weather and heightened post-9/11 security measures, as the old saying goes, the parade must go on. And indeed it did. An estimated 10,000 parade participants marched 1.7 miles down Pennsylvania Avenue for the 55th Presidential Inauguration Parade, including 14 floats, more than 70 marching bands, and hundreds of paraders on horse-mounted units.


The parade has long been a tradition of the Inaugural Day festivities, and since Thomas Jefferson rode on horseback from the Capitol to the White House at the start of his second term, the rule of thumb has always been "bigger and better." As the first inauguration since 9/11, this year the theme is "Celebrating Freedom and Honoring Service," in tribute to those serving in the Iraq war.

The parade route was cleared of snow from a squall Wednesday, but temperatures remained in the low 30s, possibly keeping some spectators out of the stands. But for those who were part of the production, braving the cold was worth the experience.

"The worst part is the cold," said Jarika Olberg, a sophomore color guard for the Spalding High School Marching Band from Rochester, N.H. "But it's worth it in the end because we get to say we got to perform at the inauguration. There's not that many bands who get to say that."

The band's 145 members performed for the President in New Hampshire during his campaign visits, but for many of the members it was their first trip to Washington, D.C.

"We're really excited," Olberg said. "We're from New Hampshire, so we never get to do anything like this."

The band did not march in the parade, but was one of many performances that entertained the crowd along the route before the parade began.

Olberg added, "It was also one of the scariest things I've ever done."

"It's such an honor to be a part of this," said Dan Saucier, a senior drum major in the band.

Audrey Jacques, a sophomore, agreed. "It feels awesome to be here. It's an amazing opportunity."

After their performance, the band members remained on their stage, bundled up and huddled together, poised to watch the rest of the parade live, as their families watched from home.

"My mom is probably watching the parade on TV at home," said Megan Leahey, a freshman color guard, "and my Dad's in Iraq, so I don't know if he's watching."
And the band marches on
By Holli Chmela
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL


Washington, DC, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Despite frigid weather and heightened post-9/11 security measures, as the old saying goes, the parade must go on. And indeed it did. An estimated 10,000 parade participants marched 1.7 miles down Pennsylvania Avenue for the 55th Presidential Inauguration Parade, including 14 floats, more than 70 marching bands, and hundreds of paraders on horse-mounted units.


The parade has long been a tradition of the Inaugural Day festivities, and since Thomas Jefferson rode on horseback from the Capitol to the White House at the start of his second term, the rule of thumb has always been "bigger and better." As the first inauguration since 9/11, this year the theme is "Celebrating Freedom and Honoring Service," in tribute to those serving in the Iraq war.

The parade route was cleared of snow from a squall Wednesday, but temperatures remained in the low 30s, possibly keeping some spectators out of the stands. But for those who were part of the production, braving the cold was worth the experience.

"The worst part is the cold," said Jarika Olberg, a sophomore color guard for the Spaulding High School Marching Band from Rochester, N.H. "But it's worth it in the end because we get to say we got to perform at the inauguration. There's not that many bands who get to say that."

The band's 145 members performed for the President in New Hampshire during his campaign visits, but for many of the members it was their first trip to Washington, D.C.

"We're really excited," Olberg said. "We're from New Hampshire, so we never get to do anything like this."

The band did not march in the parade, but was one of many performances that entertained the crowd along the route before the parade began.

Olberg added, "It was also one of the scariest things I've ever done."

"It's such an honor to be a part of this," said Dan Saucier, a senior drum major in the band.

Audrey Jacques, a sophomore, agreed. "It feels awesome to be here. It's an amazing opportunity."

After their performance, the band members remained on their stage, bundled up and huddled together, poised to watch the rest of the parade live, as their families watched from home.

"My mom is probably watching the parade on TV at home," said Megan Leahey, a freshman color guard, "and my Dad's in Iraq, so I don't know if he's watching."