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MEMORIES OF INAUGURALS PAST — WITH BILL WILSON

BY BILL WILSON
Sentinel Photojournalist
All Photos by Bill Wilson © 2008

Part One: Nixon and Carter, A study in contrasts

As the countdown to Barack Obama’s inauguration begins it induces in me a trip down memory lane. Having lived in Washington DC from 1972 until 1997, I was afforded many opportunities to witness history. My string of presidential inaugurations includes 1 for Nixon, 1 for Carter, 2 for Reagan, 1 for Bush, Sr. and 2 for Clinton. There is nothing more dramatic than a person assuming the presidency.

Congressional offices are the source for tickets to the Presidential Oath taking. I was working for a Democratic United Senator and the demand for tickets to President Nixon’s second swearing in was not great, that is why I got one.

Ticket

I was the only one in the office who actually wanted to go sit out in the cold! Section A1 was closest to the inaugural platform, which according to tradition had been built on the east side of the Capitol. That tradition would change with Reagan’s inaugural in 1981, which was held on the west side affording more room for spectators and better views of the Capitol Mall.

Because there was no change in the people actually taking office in 1973, it was perhaps a little less formal and the excitement wasn’t great. The wives of the Majority and Minority Leaders, Mike Mansfield and Hugh Scott came to the front of the platform and waved before taking their seats. (Mrs. Scott used to baby-sit me when I was a little boy so I knew who she was.) Former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower joined the Nixon daughters on the front row of seats to watch President Nixon take the oath of office for a second time.

From left, Tricia Nixon Cox (partial) Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Mamie Eisenhower,
Richard Kleindienst. George Shultz, William Rodgers, President Richard Nixon,
First Lady Pat Nixon, Chief Justice Warren Burger, John Connally, Senator Cook,
Vice President Spiro Agnew, Mrs Agnew

Since I had gotten tickets to the 1973 inaugural ceremony I wasn’t entered on the office pool for tickets to Carter’s, which ultimately worked to my advantage. Since I was basically the office gopher and I had been to the inaugural headquarters at Fort McNair, I was sent to pick up the Senator’s allotment of tickets. I was told that the Senator was not going to attend the Gala at the Kennedy Center on the evening of the 19th . When asked if I wanted to pick up tickets for the gala, I said that the Senator was not going to be able to attend. I was told that anyone could use the ticket because hey had just changed the policy limiting them only to Senators. When I got back to the office, the secretary said she really didn’t want to do another office lottery, so she let me have the ticket.

Ticket Carter Gala

The list of performers, a spectacular who’s who of American cultural and entertainment worlds, included Muhammad Ali, Hank Aaron, Jack Albertson, Dan Aykroyd, Warren Beatty, Leonard Bernstein, Chevy Chase, Bette Davis, James Dickey Redd Foxx, Aretha Franklin, Loretta Lynn, Shirley MacLaine, Elaine May, Paul Newman, Mike Nichols, Jack Nicholson, Carroll O’Connor, Freddie Prinze, Linda Ronstadt, Beverly Sills, Paul Simon, Jean Stapleton, John Wayne, Frederica Von Stade, Joanne Woodward and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Because the seats were originally set aside for the Senators, they were prime orchestra seats. Across the aisle from me sat John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

As much as President Ford did to heal the nation after the imperial presidency of Richard Nixon, I think that the nation was ready for something different and Jimmy Carter represented that change. When he landed in Washington DC he got off the plane carrying a garment bag causing one society columnist to write that he would soon learn, “they have people who are paid to do that.” Perhaps the greatest example of that change was evident during his inaugural parade.

After Nixon’s swearing–in I had walked several blocks down to where Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues merge before running into people on the sidewalk. I thought I would be able to do the same thing after Carter’s swearing-in, but the route from the Capitol was already lined with people. Fortunately there was a spot on the steps in front of the Labor Department were I could stand that was elevated enough for me to see over the people on the sidewalk. There was excitement that was palatable in the air. There was a person standing near me with a pair of binoculars that allowed him to see the cars and military presidential escort units coming from the Capitol Plaza turning onto Constitution Avenue. He was doing a running commentary on what he was seeing. He exclaimed excitedly, “The Presidential limousine has just turned onto Constitution Avenue.” Then his voice took on a disappointed tone as he announced, “but there is no one in it.” There was a moment of silence as people absorbed what he had said. Then you could hear this rumble in the distance at first indiscernible but gradually spreading from person to person, “He’s walking!” There were basically three readings of those words as he made his way closer to where I was standing. The first was shock and unbelief, “He’s walking?” Followed by the realization that it was true, “He’s walking.” and then the realization of what that meant and the joyous outpouring of “He’s walking!!”

President and Mrs Carter walking behind the media truck down Constitution Avenue
on their way to the White House

Crowds react to President and Mrs Carter walking to the White House

One of my last duties as a volunteer for the Inaugural was to help direct people to parking at Union Station for the Inaugural Ball and parties that night. As a result I received a card of thanks from President Carter.

Thank You from President Carter

END OF PART ONE…

Part Two: Reagan Two, Bush one

I don’t have to rely on memory for the events of the first Reagan inauguration because at the time I kept a journal and recorded the events as they happened.

January 17, 1981 - Opening ceremonies for the 1981 Presidential Inauguration were held this evening in a display of style, pomp and ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial. The chilly temperatures were accented by the winds off the Potomac. Rehearsals preceded the event as people started to line up around the Memorial. The presentation of the colors, which included the fifty state flags, was gone over several times so that the Color Guard could get their steps precisely correct as they entered and exited.

Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., who portrayed Inspector Erskine in the TV series, “The FBI” strode almost unnoticed to a large motor home that was serving as headquarters for the show’s producers. He could be seen through the tinted windows going over his script. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, 300 members strong in identical yellow plaid scarves found their places on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and found out how to part their numbers for the entrance of the President –Elect and the Vice President – Elect.

The U.S. Army Band started the program with some martial music that included “Thumbs Up America” the inaugural theme song. There is noting like a little bit of stirring music to keep the blood circulating, once the program got underway the 20 degree weather didn’t seem quite as cold.

The Vice President–elect and Mrs. Bush were the first to make their entrance by walking across the top of the Memorial and then descending the steps to the platform as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir parted to let them through. A trumpet fanfare announced the arrival of President – elect and Mrs. Reagan and they also descended the steps to the platform and took their seats. In front of the VIP seats were space heaters to take the chill off the night.

As Aaron Copeland’s majestic “Fanfare for the Common Man” was played green laser beams danced across the sky connecting the Lincoln Memorial with The White House, The Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial. Efrem Zimbalist narrated a brief description of each and their significance. More music, excerpts of Reagan’s acceptance speech at the Republican convention read by Efrem Zimbalist and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing “America the Beautiful” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” were part of the program, but the highlight of the evening was a fireworks display that was done in synchronization with the live music. It was spectacular.

January 20, 1981 – Since I was only able to get standing room tickets to the actual swearing – in I knew I would have to be there early. I got there at 8, but the gates didn’t open until 9. When they started letting people in there was a mad dash for the good spots along the snow fence.

Ronald Reagan takes the oath of Office from Chief Justice Burger

For the first time in history the ceremonies were held on the west side of the Capitol, which really makes more sense because there is more room and betters views for spectators. The ceremonies began as various groups were announced, the diplomatic corps, the Supreme Court, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. The Vice President and Mrs. Mondale and the Vice President elect and Mrs. Bush where escorted to their places. The band played “Hail to the Chief” a last time for President Carter and Mrs. Carter as he was announced. (Okay this is where neither my memory nor my journal helps me out. I think President –elect and Mrs. Reagan must have been announced before Carter, but I didn’t write it down and I don’t remember for sure.) Thank goodness, Mrs. Reagan was wearing red. I was so far away that was the only way that she showed up in the pictures.

President and Mrs Reagan acknowledge the cheers of the crowd

After the ceremony was over I walked back toward the Senate Office Buildings. There were already people lined up the entire length of the parade route and the three blocks along Constitution Avenue that the Presidential and Vice Presidential motorcade travels before merging onto Pennsylvania Avenue where the rest of the parade units are lining up. I found a spot along the curb were I could sit down. It was about 12:30 and the parade wasn’t scheduled to start until 2:30. While President Reagan signing executive orders and eating lunch I was talking with a man from Villanova, Pennsylvania who was telling me I should accept Christ’s long-range plan for my life. The people on my other side spoke no English only Spanish. Across the street from where I was were groups of demonstrators. When President Reagan’s limousine went by he was crouched down inside. I was disappointed after waiting all that time that I didn’t get a good picture of President Reagan. However, the next limousine in the procession carried Vice-President and Mrs. Bush. They were both waving to the crowds and having a good time. The Vice –President didn’t let the demonstrators bother him he just gave them the thumbs up sign and waved.

Vice President and Mrs George Bush wave to the crowds along the route
of the inaugural parade

The weather for Reagan’s second inaugural was so cold that they had to move the ceremony inside the Capitol and cancel the parade. People who had been invited to march were taken to the Capitol Arena in Landover were they performed for the President.

At the time of the first President Bush’s inauguration I was working as a home care aide for people with Aids. I had two clients at the time. As I was leaving the Connecticut Avenue Metro station to care for the second client I could hear fireworks on the mall.

END OF PART TWO…

Part Three: Clinton: Personal Parade Participation

During the 1992 campaign Bill Clinton addressed an audience made up of Gay and Lesbians for the first time. During his speech he said, “I have a vision for America and you are part of it.” Those simple words marked an incredible sense of elation in me.

For the first time I could campaign as an openly gay person and know that the candidate welcomed my participation. On election night I went to the Human Rights Campaign Fund victory party at the Omni Shoreham. I ran into a person I knew whose son had AIDS. When it was announced that Bill Clinton had received enough electoral votes to be declared the winner, the place erupted into pandemonium. Amidst all the shouting and joy Carol leaned over to me and said quietly, “Now maybe Joey will live.”

Elizabeth Glaser Joey DiPaolo and his mother, Carol

After the election I ran into Tim McFeeley who was director of the Human Rights Campaign Fund. Because HRCF had been a supporter of Clinton I asked him if HRCF was going to have a contingent in the inaugural parade. He told me that he had heard that there might be some kind of contingent representing Aids service organizations and that The NAMES Project had been mentioned. I was excited because I had been volunteering with The NAMES Project. When I didn’t hear anything I wrote to the person in charge of the Inaugural parade suggesting that they invite The Names Project to be in the parade. Our chapter leader then received a phone call from a person on the Inaugural committee. Turns out they had slotted a place for us in the parade, but had forgotten to notify us.

We got very busy because not only did we have to have 90 panels ready to march with but we also had to prepare what became known as the sound bite panels.

Panels with quotes from President Clinton

They were nine quotes from President Clinton used on the panels where,

1. I have a vision and you are part of it.

2. We don’t have a person to waste.

3. Over 170,000 Americans have died from Aids and they are all our children.

4. If we fail to commit our resources now to fighting Aids we will pay a far greater price in the future

5. We need leaders who will focus national attention on Aids and speak out against intolerance

6. No person will be cut off, denied or be forced to accept low quality healthcare.

7. If I could I would wave my arm for those of you who are HIV positive and make it go away.

8. We cannot build the economy until we guarantee every American the right to quality affordable health care

9. Affordable, quality health care will be a right not a privilege

On Inaugural day I was asked to escort Joey and his mother, who were among the celebrities asked to march with The NAMES Project contingent. I met them at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda. We took the Metro to the Mall. We had wanted to get off at the Federal Center station but at the stop before they announced that due to crowding the train we were on wouldn’t stop at Federal Center or Capitol South Stations. We ended up at 12 and Independence SW. The security checkpoint we were supposed o use was at 4th and Independence. The warming tent where we were supposed to meet was at 7th and Independence. As we were walking by and I pointed out the tent, Joey with his youthful enthusiasm says, “If that’s were we going just follow me. I’ll tell them you with me and they’ll let us through.” Sure enough Joey told the police officer we needed to get to that tent. They looked at our credentials and instructions and then let us through the barricade. The tent had food and hot water for soup and instant cocoa.

Around noon we walked toward the Capitol end of the Mall to hear the swearing – in. We got about as far as Fourth Street. From there forward it was packed solid with people, on the Mall, around the Reflecting Pool, and on the Capitol grounds. They had big video screens showing what was happening on the podium set up in what they were calling the Mall Standing Area.

View of the Capitol from the Mall during President Clinton’s inauguration

Joey and I stayed to hear most of Clinton’s inaugural speech. There were amplifiers set up the entire parade route.

Joey decided he wanted to go back to the tent so we passed by a tent for people on the floats. We weren’t supposed to go in but Joey decided he wanted to so we did. At the end of the tent was a large green curtain that blocked off a section. In front of it was a large sign that read, “PBS GREEN ROOM NO ADMITTANCE WITHOUT PROPER CREDENTIALS.” There was a gap between the curtain and the tent so we could see into the Green Room. There was a guy sitting on a chair with a harness on his shoulder which was actually Big Bird’s head. There was a man helping out by putting on feathers. Evidently it is against the law to see Big Bird without all his feathers because when he realized we were watching he started yelling, “YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED HERE!. YOU DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT CREDENTIALS!” We knew all that so we didn’t stay around to argue we just went out the same way we had come in and poor Big Bird was left to get dressed in peace, although the guy could still be heard yelling at the security people for letting us get as far as we did in the first place.

Other VIPs who were marching with The NAMES Project were Leanza Cornett, 1993 Miss America, Jeanne White, mother of Ryan White, Mary Fisher, the HIV positive woman who spoke at Republican National Convention, Bob Hattoy and Elizabeth Glazer, The two HIV positive speakers at the Democratic National Convention. Elizabeth, Bob, and Mary signed the back of my parade credential.

Credential signed by three HIV positive speakers
at the 1992 national conventions

The marching units lined up on the main walkways on either side of the Mall. Because we were near the back of the parade we could watch as the other units lined up and warmed up.

Bill Wilson, left, and Elizabeth Glaser, right, waiting for their start
in the Inaugural parade

Bob Hattoy and Leanza Cornett wait on the Capitol Mall for the start
of the Inaugural parade

It began getting cooler as the sun started to go down. We were given white windbreakers to wear that had the official Inaugural logo printed on them with the words “The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt National Capitol Area The Inaugural Parade” printed underneath. Then the unit in front of us started moving and we began marching. We turned onto 3^rd Street and then we made the left turn onto Pennsylvania Avenue.

The NAMES Project contingent marching up Pennsylvania Avenue
with the Capitol in the background

It is just impossible o try to put the thrill and exhilaration into words. But with a military pace of 112 eats per minute, there isn’t much to think about anything except keeping up. Because it was starting to get dark the crowds were beginning to thin out, but I was amazed were people found to stand. The balconies and windows from every office building were filled. It was particularly gratifying to see rainbow flags flying from some of the balconies at Market Square, a new condominium project.

By the time we got to the Presidential Reviewing Stand it was dark but the TV lights made it seem like daylight.

The NAMES Project Contingent march in front of the Presidential Reviewing stand
in an official Inaugural photo

I was marching on the left side closest to the Presidential Reviewing Stand.

The view of the Presidential Reviewing stand from the parade level

The panel I was carrying was one I that had made for Dan Bradley. He had been head of Legal Services Corporation when Hillary was chair of the Board of Directors. I am not a lip reader but as we passed the President pointed to the panel and I thought he said, “I knew him.” I gave him a thumbs up. As we continued past the reviewing stand and up Pennsylvania Avenue I turned to person who was helping me carrying the panel and asked, “Did the President really acknowledge us or did I just imagine it.” She assured me that he had acknowledged us. I have to confess to not being quite sure until I read the article by Taylor Branch in the March issue of Life Magazine. Given unprecedented access to the Clintons on inaugural day, he wrote,

“The new President remained on display before the cameras for most of the next five hours until dusk, when the parade crowd thinned out. Not long after a jaunty fife-and-drum corps marched by in Colonial costumes, a sudden hush announced the approach of the Aids quilt. The Clintons and Gores looked somberly to the floor at first, uncertain about how to fit mortal desperation into the festivity. But as the Aids marchers waved buoyantly, they responded with smiles and raised thumbs. Paired marchers carried banners honoring selected Aids victims: Max Robinson, Brad Davis, Congressman Stewart McKinney, Ryan White. “He was head of the Legal Services Corporation,” said the President pointing to a banner for Dan Bradley. “Very close to Hillary.” Gore nodded. “He was our neighbor.”

President Clinton and Vice President Gore react to marchers carrying panels in honor of Aids victims, as Mrs. Clinton wipes her eye and Mrs Gore looks down

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