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By
Paula Wolfson - VOA Washington
Last minute preparations are underway
in Washington, D.C. for President Bush's second inauguration.
There was a fresh blanket of snow in Washington,
as President Bush left the White House on a busy inauguration
eve.
As trumpets played a traditional salute,
the president arrived at an adjacent park for an outdoor
concert on a frigid night. The event was supposed to last
two hours, but was compressed to one because of the cold.
All the same, the applause for the performers was warm as
the sound of their voices filled the air.
The president picked up the theme of the
song "God Bless America" in his remarks, offering
his own prayer for the country and for those serving in
the U.S. military far from home. "We pray for our troops,
we pray for their families. And on this night, as we celebrate
the blessing of liberty, America honors the spirit of service
that keeps our nation strong and free," he said.
This is the first U.S. presidential inauguration
since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and it comes
at a time when large numbers of American troops are deployed
in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In his remarks at the outdoor concert, the
president reflected briefly on how much the world has changed
since he first took the oath of office four years ago. He
said the focus now must be on moving forward. "I am
eager and ready for the work ahead. And I know that this
office carries a duty to the entire nation. After all, we
are one America," he said.
Mr. Bush said a presidential inauguration
is an event steeped in tradition that looks to the future,
a time of hope and renewal. He said the theme of his inaugural
address will be the cause that unites all Americans: promoting
freedom. "We have a calling from beyond the stars to
stand for freedom. And America will always be faithful to
that cause," he said.
Aides say the president will speak about
the power of freedom in broad philosophical terms, and will
save any talk of detailed policies and proposals for his
upcoming State of the Union Address to Congress and the
nation.
Thousands are expected to pack the vast
lawn that stretches from the Capitol Building to the Washington
Monument to see the president take the oath of office for
a second term. Security will be unprecedented for the inaugural
festivities - from the mid-day ceremony at the Capitol Building,
to the inaugural parade, to the gala celebrations that are
expected to go long into the night.
Related item: Events
under way for President Bush's inauguration, January 20,
2005
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