In 1993, I was a college student at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. The 1992 election was exciting for me for so many reasons. It was the first time I was able to vote in a presidential election. Georgetown is a school that attracts students who are politically minded and often have political aspirations. To illustrate that point, currently there are four Georgetown alums in the U.S. Senate and 15 in the House of Representatives, plus a Supreme Court Justice. Georgetown really came to life during the 1992 Presidential primaries with alums Bill Clinton and Pat Buchanan vying for the Democratic and Republican nominations respectively.
Of course, we all know how the story goes. Bill Clinton went on to be elected the 42nd President of the United States. And let me tell you, he did not forget his alma mater when it came time for the inauguration. Georgetown students, regardless of political affiliation, were offered the opportunity to work for the inaugural committee. I jumped at the chance, even though it meant coming back to frigid Washington from balmy Southern California a week early from winter break.
My not-so-glamorous inaugural duties consisted of directing VIP's to the appropriate shuttle buses that would whisk them off to various inaugural events. My pay was $8 an hour, and I was issued a bright orange, fleece-lined J-Crew jacket, a hat with ear flaps and puffy gloves, all embroidered with a beautiful inauguration crest and the word "TRANSPORATION" beneath it.
My duties the first few days were pretty easy. Each of us was assigned to a different hotel. I was lucky enough to draw the Embassy Suites Hotel, which was built around a tall, sunny, lovely atrium. Since the older sister of one of my best friends worked as a concierge there, I had both ambiance and friendship to get me through the boring hours.
Another stroke of luck was that the Alabama contingent were staying there. The Alabama political wives were friendly and funny. Even though they didn't really need my help finding the shuttle bus parked right outside the door, they came and talked to me anyway. They seemed to be proud of the fact that they had been invited to the inauguration and wanted everyone to see that they were official VIP's. Plus, they finally had an excuse to wear their fur coats, and wanted to show them off. I was uncharacteristically diplomatic in admiring them.
At one particularly amusing moment, I was approached by a production assistant from a television news show. He spoke to me in a serious, hushed voice, supposedly to consult with me about getting their crew through to the events without a crowd forming around a famous person. He just couldn't help dropping the name Paula Zahn. In fact, I suspect that is the real reason he wanted to talk to me. My job title should have been "VIP Validator" instead of "Inauguration Transportation."
One of the most exciting pre-inaugural events for me was when Clinton did his address to the foreign service right on the Georgetown campus. All of us who lived in the apartments and dorms near the site of the address were told that we would have to be up and out of our rooms at 6:30 AM (a ridiculous hour in the minds of most college students) or stay put with the blinds shut until it was over. So we got ourselves up and out early and spent a couple of hours waiting outside on the main quad of the campus in 20-something degree weather in hopes of getting a glimpse of the President-elect. We watched the secret service men with giant rifles dressed in black, keeping watch from the roofs of our dorms.
And we were amply rewarded for our efforts. After the official event, Bill Clinton came out to the quad with Hillary, plus Al and Tipper Gore to address the students gathered there. We scrambled to get close and take pictures, so grateful that we had made the effort to get up early, fantasizing about taunting our friends who had slept in and were now stuck in their rooms.
Bill and Hillary Clinton and Al and Tipper Gore with Georgetown President Leo O'Donovan, SJon the steps of the White-Gravenor building on the Georgetown campus in January 1993
In Inauguration Day itself, my shift at the Embassy Suites ended in plenty of time to meet up with my friends and head down to the Capitol. With most of the streets downtown closed, we took the Metro subway to get there. Three trains came by loaded with passengers before we finally were able to stuff ourselves onto one, pushed up against all of the other passengers. We found ourselves an OK spot on grass of the National Mall not too far from the Capitol, but not particularly close either. Looking at the record crowds at this year's event, I think that at least a million people today were further away, so I guess we were pretty lucky.
Then came the waiting. It was so cold. According to the National Weather Service's website, the weather that day was "sunny and pleasant" but that is not how I remember it. I remember being so cold that we were putting little pieces of cardboard under our feet to prevent the bitter cold ground from numbing our toes, right through the soles of our shoes. I guess the weather feels much colder when you are not moving. Finally the event started. I don't remember a whole lot. I do remember being VERY surprised at the prayer by Billy Graham that started the event. I also remember the beautiful voice of Maya Angelou reading her poem. I remember the oath of office, but not much else.
That night was the best part of all. I got to go to an inaugural ball. Well, I got to stand outside of the ball in my bright orange jacket telling attendees which buses were going to which hotels. And believe it or not, I had a blast. Of all the official balls, I was stationed at the Western States Ball at the Kennedy Center. I am not sure if that was a coincidence, or if the organizers deliberately placed us at the balls where our hometown politicians would be. I had ample opportunity to meet people, especially as they were leaving the ball and waiting for the bus to arrive or depart. I met a superior court judge who happened to live down the street from my parents. I met the mayor of Livermore, California, who was so excited that I knew where Livermore was that she gave me her card.
The security was very tight before the president got there, with metal detectors screening each guest as they entered. Since the president had about 10 balls to attend, he just made a short stop at each one. But once he came and went, the security literally disappeared, and I had a chance to sneak a peak into the room. The room was long and narrow with red carpet and a wall of tall windows. I think I caught a glimpse of Al Gore. As I stealthily slid back out of the room, I encountered an old friend. There was my high school classmate, all dressed up in a gown. She was there with her mother, a former congresswoman, later a Los Angeles County Supervisor. Despite my embarrassment at being caught in the act, it was fun to see her, and capped off an exciting day.
Regardless of political affiliation, it is exciting to attend a moment in our country's history. I have been a bit jealous of my friends in D.C. this week, as they attend concerts at the Lincoln Memorial and welcome house guests that they have never met before. Though they have been assuring me that it is bitterly cold this year and the city is uncomfortably crowded, I still feel a pang at not being at the heart of the action in my old stomping grounds again this week. But at least I have gotten to be a real part of it before. Ah yes, fond memories of good times.
2 comments:
I loved reading about your experiences.
wonderful account of your experience!
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