Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Read the full text of President Barack Obama's speech made on the occasion of his second inauguration.
Remarks of President Barack Obama, As Prepared for Delivery Inaugural Address Monday, January 21, 2013 Washington, DC Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. We affirm the promise of our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes us exceptional – what makes us American – is our allegiance to an idea, articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, …
Monday, January 21, 2013
MGySgt William Browne describes how the "The President's Own" prepares for the inaugural parade.
As MGySgt William Browne prepares to lead The United States Marine Band in the inaugural parade Monday, he recalled the first time he had the honor. "You're now the drum major of the U.S. Marine Band ... and it's my responsibility to lead the band down Pennsylvania Avenue and review for the President of the United States with the Commandant of the Marine Corps in attendance," Brown said. "It was a little bit stressful." Browne explains on the attached video the preparations for and traditions of one of the band's important responsibilities — the inaugural parade. For more about "The President's Own" United States Marine Band and the inauguration, see these Patch stories: Seventh Inauguration for Marine Band Director (Jan. 18, 2013) …
Spectators may see some colder temperatures on Inauguration Day.
Spectators who watch the presidential inauguration ceremony live can expect to see temperatures anywhere from 43 degrees all the way down to just 28 degrees, if past weather patterns are any indication. According to the National Weather Service, those are the average high and low temps for a January Inauguration Day. While the weather forecast for this year's ceremony hasn't been set, temperatures reached just 29 degrees for the 2009 inauguration. Hudson Trail Outfitters, with stores in Pentagon City, Fairfax and Tenley Circle, expects to see plenty of people stopping by to stock up on supplies to keep warm for the inauguration in the event the forecast takes a turn for the cold, according to John Holcomb, director of store operations. “…
Due to unprecedented security levels, a wide range of items are prohibited at the inauguration, balls and some related events.
One Patch local editor attended the 2009 presidential inauguration downtown, and brought a lawn chair with her. She had to leave it outside the security gates. Don't let something like that happen to you! There will be a strong police presence—even police from Alexandria, Fairfax County and other jurisdictions will be in D.C. this weekend. Here's the official list of what is prohibited from the inauguration ceremony, inauguration parade and elsewhere. This information comes from inauguration.dc.gov: The US Secret Service, Metropolitan Police Department, US Capitol Police, and other local and federal agencies are providing an unprecedented level of security for the Inauguration. As a security precaution, the following items will be …
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Snow showers still possible for the afternoon and evening.
The weather forecast for President Barack Obama's second inauguration suggests temperatures could be warming into the low 40s as events get underway in Washington, D.C. on Monday. But a chance of snow showers is still possible after 1 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. The forecast for Monday, which is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, calls for mostly cloudy skies, with a high near 43. The chance for precipitation is at 40 percent, with no significant snow accumulation expected. If you're going, here are some tips for what to wear to watch the inauguration ceremony. And we have complete coverage at our Presidential Inauguration 2013 page.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Everything you need to know about transportation, events, and other information surrounding the inauguration.
Your guests are in town, and you've made plans to attend the inauguration ceremony or one of the inauguration balls. Here's how to survive Inauguration Day. Transportation and Security Planning to go into D.C. on Inauguration Day? Three Metrorail stations will be closed, VRE will have no service and the PRTC Omniride and Metro Direct will have limited service. Find out more about your transportation options. The easiest way to get in and out of D.C.? Try biking. Follow Woodbridge Patch, Lake Ridge - Occoquan Patch, or Dale City Patch on Twitter. To get real-time updates from the D.C. Department of Transportation, Metrorail and Metrobus, the Secret Service and the Inauguration Committee, follow these accounts and others on Twitter. Keep …
Where to go, what to do and where to eat in Woodbridge and Occoquan this weekend if you're hosting out-of-town guests for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration.
Do you have guests in town for Inauguration Weekend? Chances are, your guests will want to do more than sit on your couch waiting for the second inauguration of President Barack Obama on Monday, Jan. 21. So, we’ve rounded up some things you can do right here in Woodbridge and Occoquan to keep your guests entertained and happy. If your guests want to take in the Occoquan River, try the boat tours from Rivershore Charters. Tours offered every Saturday and Sunday from noon to one hour before dark. It's $12 for adults, $6 for kids 4 to 12, and free for kids younger than 4. If you and your guests have a hankering for something more active, go hiking in Prince William Forest Park. For shopping, there's Potomac Mills Mall and the recently opened …
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Metro is preparing to be the transportation mode of choice.
Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is not operating on Inauguration Day. "VRE does not historically offer service on Inauguration Day," management said during their Jan. 2 online forum "Let's Talk". VRE said it decided to offer service for the last Inauguration because the D.C. metropolitan area shut down most major access points for cars to the city, and crowds for the event were exceptionally large. It is different this time. "As there are more options for people to get to D.C. that day, and less people are expected to attend, we feel we can revert to not offering service for the inauguration," management said. January 21 is also the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday, a traditional no-service day for VRE. Joe from Spotsylvania said in…
The 16-time Grammy winner will be accompanied by The President's Own U.S. Marine Band. Other performers include Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor.
Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor will perform at the inauguration, on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Jan. 21, the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced. Beyoncé will sing the National Anthem, Kelly Clarkson will perform “My Country Tis of Thee,” and James Taylor will sing “America the Beautiful.” "When we work with guest artists we coordinate with them and their music directors to get a sense of what they are hoping for in their presentation, and what's their best key," Col. Michael J. Colburn, director of The President's Own, said. U.S. Marine Band Staff Sergeant Ryan Nowlin is arranging the selections to be sung by Beyoncé and Kelly Clarkson, with Marine Band accompaniment, Colburn said. President Obama was …
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Metro, the Secret Service, the official inauguration committee and others are on Twitter to help you navigate the 2013 presidential inauguration weekend.
Twitter can be a great way to get information on the go about inauguration weather, traffic, Metro transit, events and more on inauguration weekend. President Barack Obama's second inauguration is this Monday, Jan. 21. He'll be sworn in privately on Sunday. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a list of Twitter accounts you may want to follow if you’re heading into Washington for the second inauguration of President Barack Obama, the parade, balls or any related events that weekend. Patch is on Twitter, too! Follow @Woodbridge Patch, @LakeRidgePatch or @DaleCityPatch for local news and info on inauguration day and beyond. WMATA – Metro Rail and Bus @wmata - The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority’s official Twitter account…
Nina Martin
6:45 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Superb ! ! ! Thank you Mr. President , may we all , exhibit this example of your words , passion , patriotism , and purpose at this time , now and always ! God bless you sir and these United of America . more ›