By : Daniela Ricci
A chilly January rain was the only hitch at the 54th Presidential Inaugural Opening Celebration, held on the steps of the majestic Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall on Thursday, January 18, 2001. President George W. Bush said goodbye to his home in Texas and came to watch a two-hour line-up of celebrities welcome him, Mrs. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Mrs. Cheney to the White House.
As the gray skies sent a steady drizzle on over 40,000 spectators that gathered on the Mall, tents were set up to cover the drum sets and other musical instruments on the stage. This caused some problems for the Rockettes, who had to redo their routine to adjust to the limited space. They still looked impressive as they high-kicked in their star-spangled blue velvet leotards and sailor hats.
A video illustrating President Bush's younger days showed on the six or so jumbo screens placed on either side of the stage and all along the reflecting pool. At the same time, Senator John Ashcroft, the newly confirmed Attorney General, and future Secretary of State General Colin Powell arrived among the ticketed guests to shake hands. Flashbulbs popped and arms extended toward the power cluster that was starting to form among the crowd of Bush supporters. Republicans and Texans were the majority - red baseball caps worn by "Friends of George W." peppered the crowd heavily.
The United States Navy Band began to play, seeming to lift the clouds. Eyes turned heavenward into the mist as The Golden Knights, The United States Army Parachute Team, sailed down with their yellow parachutes, trailing red smoke. As the US Navy band played "Anchors Away," the Color Guard, representing every state of the Union, lined up on the backlit monument, holding flags and creating an aisle down the broad steps of the Memorial.
Trumpeters began to play the National Anthem and the notes accompanied President and Mrs. Bush, Vice President and Mrs. Cheney as they appeared from between the columns to walk down the steps. They paused to wave to a crowd which erupted into cheers to welcome their new leader. Many waved cowboy hats. The couples retreated to the warmth of their tent to the right of the stage, ready to take in the performance.
Again all eyes looked up as every branch of the armed forces sent jets and helicopters overhead. "The country's most listened-to voice" brought the focus back to the stage - Master of Ceremonies Larry King introduced the black-leather-clad country western band, Brooks and Dunn, getting the show underway.
Twelve-year-old Welsh singing prodigy Charlotte Church, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sandi Patti, Jon Secada, Wayne Newton and Marilyn McCoo were all part of the festivities. General Powell generated the most applause as he took the stage to talk about passing the torch to a new President. He said this reminded him of the spirit of the Olympic athletes who competed in Sydney this year. He then introduced Olympic swimmer Dara Torres, who talked about "following her heart" to the 2000 Olympics to win five medals. She then introduced "the Greatest," Muhammad Ali, who threw a one-two punch at the audience before walking over to shake hands with President Bush under his tent.
It was then Vice President Cheney's turn to welcome the crowd to Washington, DC - and to welcome the new President, George W. Bush, to the Capital. Cheney, a long-time Washingtonian, said Bush was "a man of integrity worthy of the trust America has given him." Bush took the stage and walked to the central podium to thunderous applause. The President thanked the crowd for their support, and thanked the Vice President for his introduction.
"There's lots of excitement in this crowd," said President Bush. "I don't know who they're more excited to see, Dick - you or Ricky Martin!"
Bush spoke for a brief three minutes, saying he was "honored to serve and ready to start;" that he would "treat the office with care," and "restore dignity to the White House."
An enthusiastic President-elect then turned the stage over to the star of the show, Ricky Martin. Fans all along the Reflecting Pool and all over the Mall watched Martin shake and croon on the jumbo screens, as they waved "I love Ricky" signs distributed by a local radio station and sang along with the lyrics to his hit song, "The Cup of Life."
To the audience's surprise and delight, Martin pulled an uninhibited President Bush out of his seat to come dance with him on stage.
"I really came just to see Ricky, but I'm glad to see our President can shake it, too," said one twenty-year-old George Washington University student.
Despite the freezing weather and drizzle, the post-show fireworks display was one of the city's most dazzling. Grucci Fireworks set up the pyrotechnics in five different locations around the Mall, which made for a spectacular sight.
"These are bigger than any I've ever seen here, even on the Fourth of July," said Mark Johnson, a Washington, DC resident for twenty years. "I'm going to remember this inauguration for a long time."
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