Presidential Inauguration

I love to watch the inauguration of a U.S. President, and have watched, via TV, the inauguration of each President starting with JFK. Maybe it's because I majored in Government and Politics (and maybe too because as an employee of the Federal Govt in the D.C. area, we always got the day off!). I love the pageantry and the patriotism of the day. Whatever one's political views, the peaceful transition of power from one leader to another demonstrates again and again the strength of our Constitution. (Above: White House photo by Paul Morse.)

While the storm clouds gather

far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance

to a land that's free,

Let us all be grateful

for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices

in a solemn prayer.

God bless America,

land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above

From the mountains

To the prairies,

To the ocean white with foam

God bless America, My home sweet home.

This "unofficial national anthem" was written by Russian immigrant Irving Berlin in 1918 and revised in 1938. A 1938 recording by singer Kate Smith initially made the song a huge hit, and it remains well known to this day.

God bless the United States of America.

Joanie