[? Jimmy Carter. As usual, it was brutally cold, but the new president, his wife Rosalyn and daughter Amy took an unannounced walk from Capitol Hill to the White House.] One of the things I remember, ... is many of the marching band members' lips froze to their instrument mouthpieces. First aid was busy. |
For me, to have this opportunity to introduce presidents of the United States -- I'm overwhelmed, |
I think it's going to be good, but I don't know if the committee has had enough time to make it spectacular, |
I'm looking right down at the president, and if he lifts his head up he's looking straight at me, |
If they're late and the people are waiting, I feel an obligation to keep them entertained somehow, ... I'm not trying to be Bob Hope. But I do feel that if I can keep their minds occupied and keep them somewhat entertained, they'll enjoy themselves more. I'm real serious about spectators having fun. I just feel badly if they come there and leave disappointed. |
It has nothing to do with Republican or Democrat, who I am or what I am, ... It's just that I'm the guy that's been doing it these many years and they've never done it before. |
Now I've got my back to him. I'm starting to walk out. Then I hear, 'Now ladies and gentlemen, introducing the United States Marine Corpse band.' I decided I wouldn't even go to the restroom, ... I came right back. |
The inaugural parade is like an extension of the president's personality, ... Dwight Eisenhower, for example. A conservative guy. A military man. Short and simple was what his inauguration parade was all about. |
The president's vantage point is ground level, ... Mine is very high. I can see what's coming. He can't. When I announce that the Marine Corps is coming, or this college that he went to is coming, he knows when to stand, when to sit, when to take off his hat, when to salute, when to applaud. |
The starting time of the parade is actually determined by the length of time of the traditional brunch, |
They don't have a lot of floodlights because this is a daytime parade. I'm trying to announce who's coming and I couldn't see anything. It was embarrassing. |
We're talking about thousands of people who are participating in this thing. Everyone's working overtime to make this baby happen -- and not only happen, but be the best we ever had. |