S&S - Inauguration practice makes perfect

Inauguration Day news:

Stars and Stripes

Inauguration practice makes perfect

By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes


Mideast edition, Monday, January 12, 2009

Leo Shane III / S&S


Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks of Fayetteville, N.C., has the honor of filling in for President-Elect Barack Obama during a rehearsal for the upcoming inaugural ceremony Sunday, January 11, 2009 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. At right, representing Michelle Obama, is Navy Yeoman 1st Class LaSean McCray of Miami, Fla.
See more photos here.

WASHINGTON — Army Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks was sworn in Sunday as the 44th president of the United States.

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Snippet(s):

"OK, maybe he was only a stand-in for President-elect Barack Obama. And maybe Sunday’s event was only the military’s practice run for next week’s actual inauguration. And so what if his entire acceptance speech was “My fellow Americans, God bless America.”"

"On Sunday, members of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee ran through every song, step and salute expected from the military during next week’s presidential ceremony."

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"Hundreds of band members, honor guard members and logistics experts from each of the services marched around the Capitol, down Pennsylvania Avenue and up to the White House. Crowds gathered along the route, cheering on the fake president and his fake family and clapping along with “Hail to the Chief.”

Higgs said the 17 military stand-ins for the day — nearly every high-level dignitary was covered, including two daughters of troops who played Obama’s young girls — were all selected from the committee staff based on their height, weight, and how busy they were in the days leading up.
Army Sgt. Bruce Cobbeldick, who got to play President George W. Bush, called the job an honor and noted that his co-workers are already worried the role will go to his head."

JG - Obama's inauguration by the numbers

Inauguration Day news:

Jamaica Gleaner

Obama's inauguration by the numbers

Published: Sunday January 11, 2009

Preparations continue for President-elect Barack Obama's Inaugural reviewing stand on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, yesterday. - ap


WASHINGTON (AP):

One ton each of chocolate and cheese. About 1,500 cases of beer. Eight hundred pounds (363 kilograms) of bison.

Those are just a few items that the Marriott Wardman Park, Washington's largest hotel, is stocking for the 49,000 meals it expects to serve January 17 through Inauguration Day. The hotel is among many businesses and government agencies trying to quantify whatever they can before President-elect Barack Obama's swearing-in on January 20.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"For inaugural planners, dealing with the numbers at first was daunting, said Peter Gage, parade director for the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

The trick to keeping track? "You've got to break it down," Gage said.

A rundown of the numbers, including more than a few estimates:

$40 million, the estimated cost of the inaugural parade, balls, opening ceremonies, giant television screens on National Mall and other expenses for the Presidential Inaugural Committee."

"58, law-enforcement and other agencies working on security.

8,000, District of Columbia police officers on duty, and those hired from departments around the country.
1,000, US Park Police officers on duty, and those hired from outside departments.

550, Metro transit police on duty, and those hired from outside departments.

10,000, National Guardsmen helping law-enforcement agencies in and around the city."

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"13,000, military and civilian participants in the inaugural parade, including marching bands."