Inauguration 2009

Parade Footage

2009-01-23T05:57:00.000-08:00

You can find live clips of AmeriCorps Alum on YouTube in the parade. Here are the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMBMsIhM2rw&feature=channel and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjMTX1wEzKw

You can also read a publication of my inaugural experience here: http://www.gazette.net/stories/01282009/montnew205803_32477.shtml

Enjoy!

The Maryland Delegation: Seven Strong

2009-01-21T11:05:00.000-08:00

To your left is a picture of me and the Maryland delegation to the Inaugural parade, at least those from the state that were AmeriCorps Alums. To those who were from Maryland and miss this picture, my apology.

Here are the names of almost everyone in the picture: First row: Claudia R. Jardine, Hyattsville, MD
Second row: left to right reads: Holly Harrington, Frostburg, MD, Susanna Ebiasah, Silver Spring, MD, Emily Gilliland, MD, Keith Hart, Baltimore MD, Patricia Rogers, Gaithersburg, MD. Third row: Michael Piorunski, Balitmore Maryland.

When I first got the email that I would be participating in the parade, I thought I was the only person from the great state of Maryland. I was wrong. There were nine of us, seven in this picture of us who either live in Maryland or served in Maryland. I am glad that I was not the only one. Thanks everyone for giving me the honor of carrying the state of Maryland flag. It was truly an honor.

History Will Teach Us Everything

2009-01-21T08:24:00.001-08:00

"History Will Teach Us Nothing" is a song title by the British singer Sting. The lyrics of this song calls me to reflect on the meaning of my participation in this historic inaugural parade yesterday. Sting's lyrics further reads, "Without freedom from the past things can only get worse...Sooner or later we learn to throw the past..."

To my left is an image of a soldier looking outward at the incoming throng of history right before my eyes. White, yellow, brown, red hats covered their heads as they push forward into history, leaving behind past things, welcoming the promise of freedom in a dawning of a new age signal by the inauguration of Barrack Obama.

Yet, everything about this inauguration is embedded in history's past: from Saturday, February 10, 2007 in Springfield, Ill. when President Obama first announced that he was seeking the Democratic nomination for president in 2008 to November 4, 2008 when he was elected to January 20, 2009 when he was sworn in to Office.

Each of President Obama's campaign speeches and acceptances speeches alluded to the past with historical references to Lincoln, King, slavery and the Declaration of Independence. When my 3 years old daughter learns American History, she will be told of this present event in the past tense.

But for one single moment in time, at 12:00 pm yesterday, as I rode the bus from the Pentagon to the parade route in DC, I realized that our American history has taught us everything, preparing us for yesterday.

Unlike Sting's song "History will teach us nothing." I believe history will teach us everything. This historical event has taught me that "sooner or later we learn to throw the past" away in order to move forward. I use this song lyrics because it holds some truths, but throwing away the past in order to move forward has the potential to either liberate us or allow us to be concealers of history's past.

The past I am referring to is America's legacy of slavery. Obama's rising to hold the most powerful position in the free world I believe is due to some Americans voting on November 4 to free themselves from that historical past; after all, he didn't win the popular vote by a huge margin.

Nonetheless, history teaches us everything, and yesterday, America added another chapter to its history. So, I join millions of Americans, saying, "Yes we can" put an ear mark on the page on slavery in our history, not forgetting but moving forward to build a stronger and better America for us today and for our children tomorrow.

Waiting

2009-01-21T06:50:00.000-08:00

I arrived at Pentagon City at 5:20 am. I got breakfast from Au Bon Pain and sat to eat. There was an other early bird just like me sitting at the table. We both agreed that it was wise to come early to avoid long lines and crowds.

Later, I was joined by a fellow AmeriCorps Alum, George (I have change his name to protect his privacy). He too was early coming from Virginia. Mind you, AmeriCorps Alums were scheduled to meet at Pentagon City at 9:30 am. George and I had to wait for 4 hours. The wait wasn't so bad. Within that 4 hours, I got to learn all about George, his family, his work and he learned about me.

George and I talked especially of this idea of community. For example, George had lived across from his neighbor for years and never spoke to him until he met him on the train that morning. Here we were talking, sharing our life stories as if we were long lost friends, and he had lived across from his neighbor for years and never spoke to him.

Obama rise to power and fame over the course of two years and the half was no accident I think. It took the "villagers" of America to put him there. We, as Americans came together in the "plava hut" in our communities across this great nation and agreed that he would be our ruler. It took us reaching across the aisle to our neighbors that we don't normally speak to and sharing our experiences with perfect strangers. You see, George is a republican and I am a Democrat, together on November 4, 2008 we both voted the same; we voted for Obama for president.

This doesn't mean that all Republicans and Democrats voted for Obama on November 4Th, but in George's story lives this idea of community, we the people, working together across barriers for the common good.

In the Beginning...

2009-01-21T06:24:00.001-08:00

I went to bed on Monday at 8 pm hoping to get enough rest before the next day, the day of President-elect Barack Obama's Inauguration. Filled with anticipation, I woke up at 1:30 am, took a look at my cell phone clock, said a prayer and went back to sleep.

Later, I awoke to a knock on my door, it was my papa, telling me that it was 3:00 am. I immediately begin to get ready for the dawning of a new day in American history and African History.

I was ready and dressed by 4:40 am, I warmed up my car and drove to the nearest bus station 5 minutes from my house. I was not driving to the metro I had decided. The bus stop was empty when I got there. Only a single RideOn bus 55 to Rockville was waiting. I was surprised but glad that I was the only one on the bus. As the bus near the metro station, I was especially glad I decided to take the bus instead of driving my car to the Metro. The lines of cars waiting to enter the Shady Grove Metro station at 4:15 am was CRAZY! I decided to get off the bus and walk 5 minutes to the metro instead of waiting on the bus to take me inside the metro parking lot area.

The train wasn't crowded either. The crowd volume reminded me of going to DC during rush hour minus the shoving or running to get aboard. I arrived at my destination, Pentagon City at 5:20 am.

Below is a picture of my bus ride, see how empty it was?:

We will be rolling in style

2009-01-16T08:49:00.000-08:00

I had written earlier that due to monetary issues, AmeriCorps marcher would not be able to get the commemorate jackets, right? Guess again. We will be rolling in history in style. Nick has offer to give us our pants, and the jackets are being ordered due to the generosity of you America.

Wow! Today is Friday, and the march is in five days. I can't believe it. I would like to thank everyone who made it possible for AmeriCorps Alums to march in style. You know who you are,

Thanks!

What most inspires me about this historic inauguration?

2009-01-16T07:25:00.000-08:00

On November 4, President elect Barack Obama said about his win, "This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, or responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other."

I have always been committed to service. From serving at my local thrift shop that served low income residents in the City of Gaithersburg in high school to serving at my local soup kitchen when I came back home from College, I have always been committed to service. But to heard President-elect Obama mention this as a duty in his speech renewed my commitment.

Coming from Africa, this message of responsibility to not only ourselves but each other has always been apart of my everyday life. Hearing this from the President-elect is what truly inspires me about this historic inauguration.

As a naturalized citizen of the United States, I was encouraged to think much too often of myself. This dichotomy of serving self before others and serving others before selves really bothered me to be honest. Now, in the twenty-first century, this dichotomy has been resolved in this historic election of a president that said in so many ways, it is our duty as a nation "look after not only ourselves but each other."

That is what inspires me, the possibility that exist with this call to action. Just imagine what all of us together can do. The possibilities are endless....

Getting on Metro will be a safety hazard!

2009-01-12T10:20:00.001-08:00

Is Metro really prepared for the million some people that are going to be traveling on Inauguration day? While I am excited to have this opportunity to march, I don't feel really safe ridding Metro to be honest. The media reports that Metro will open early to accommodate this throng. But what about the people who like to push and shove? I don't know about you, but when I was interning on Capitol Hill, the commute was brutal. I can recall an incident where my 5"2 frame was shove so hard by a 6" 3 man who wanted to get on the oncoming train first.

I am afraid of having another experience such as that again, but I am willing to take the risk. To avoid the throng, I have opted to arrive at Metro at 6 am. I will let you know if that arriving at Metro at 6 am worked for me.

History and Branding

2009-01-09T07:40:00.000-08:00

Amity Tripp, Executive Director of AmeriCorps Alums words have really resonated with me. I am going to be a part of history on January 20, 2009. But this opportunity also gives AmeriCorps the opportunity to brand itself as a household name. When I first took on this position as a volunteer, I would say to family and friends that I was an AmeriCorps Volunteer, and they would say, huh! I would then reply by saying that I am a federal contractor in Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships. Until NOW!

By being the first EVER national service related organization to march in a Presidential Inaugural Parade, AmeriCorps will be all over the media. AmeriCorps has NEVER gotten this kind of recognition before. Out of 1400 applicants, AmeriCorps Alums was one of the 100 selected. We only had 150 slots that we could fill and had over 1200 alumni who wanted in. This is truly a remarkable opportunity for branding ourselves as a national player in everyday American lives.

We will carry AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Alums banners and carry flags from all 50 states and territories. As Amity states, "we will mirror our Returned Peace Corps neighbors who already are a household name – in the hope and expectation that AmeriCorps will soon be a household name and a year of service will soon be a norm for all Americans."

Parade 411

2009-01-08T09:29:00.000-08:00

According to Ben from AmeriCorps Alums,

The march will set up at the Pentagon around 10:30 AM on January 20th . Everyone will be screened there and receive a box lunch (thanks Armed Forces Parade Committee!) before heading to the beginning of the march. The Metro will be running, however there will be large delays. So, I plan on leaving in plenty of time. No one is recommended to carry vehicles because there will be no parking at the Pentagon.

The parade will begin on January 20, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. at the steps of the U.S Capital Building and proceed along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. Tickets are not required. The public will not be allowed to lineup along the parade route before 7 a.m. A map of the route can be found at http://dc.about.com/library/maps/blmapinauguration.htm.

We will be expected to walk 3-4 miles and it is expected to take 3-4 hours. Warm layers and comfortable shoes are a must. We do have to stand in line formation. Each row will have something to carry, a banner or an American or state flag and AmeriCorps signs. I will tell you later if I will be carrying the Maryland state flag and my position in the formation as more information is provided. So stay tune!

Rolling in Style or Not

2009-01-08T09:17:00.000-08:00

For this historic event, the AmeriCorps Alums have ordered a commemorate jacket for everyone marching. There is just one problem, cost. Cost is everything unfortunately. The jackets cost $75 dollars. It looks very nice. Check out the picture on the right. I can't afford to buy it. Maybe someone can volunteer to buy it for me. I will let you know if we will be wearing the jacket on the 20th by this Friday.

An Unexpected Email

2009-01-08T06:44:00.000-08:00

My mother always told me that some people were born and some people were made. Those that were born were lucky and those that were made hard to work a little harder. She never did say which one I was, but as of today, I fell like on of the lucky ones.

Sometime in late November of last year, I completed an online survey. The survey came from AmeriCorps Alums offering me a once in a life time opportunity to march in President-elect Barrack Obama's Inauguration Parade on January 20th, 2009.

I completed the survey, but give the idea little thought until I received an other email message on November 22, 2008 with the subject saying: "You are marching in the inaugural parade!".

You see, I was offered this opportunity because I am an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer. As an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, I took an oath on August 4th to commit a year of my life to fight poverty in my community. The health care benefits are not great, but you get a living allowance, student loan interested paid while serving and an education grant at the end of your service. There, now you too can volunteer for AmeriCorps!

I was not guarantee to win a spot in the parade! So, when I got the email on November 22, I immidiately called my fellow VISTA who was serving with me, then my supevisor and coworkers. Everyone agreed that I was very lucky or devinely bless with this great fortune. 2/3 of the parade slots was filled by DC, MD, VA alums, 3 slots was filled by CNCS staff and members of the National Leadership Council, the rest was chosen by a natioanl lottery. I was chosen out of the national lottery.