No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Results
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard

Six things you diidn’t see on TV on Inauguration Day

Bianca Strzalkowski
by Bianca Strzalkowski
January 23, 2017
Inauguration Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. — I knew long before I stepped in the voting booth on that Tuesday in 2016 that I wanted to attend Inauguration Day. For me, it wasn’t about who won (even though I had my personal choice) as much as it was about seeing America in action. One of the things I believe everyone should add to their life’s bucket list: see what a true peaceful transfer of power looks like.

I have to admit, being there on the ground gave me a much different perspective than what I was expecting based on news coverage and social media conversations. The intertwined world of the internet lets the imagination go wild and opinions grow legs. Still, the national tension dulled the meaning of the day for me. Then, I arrived.

Whether it’s Trump supporters or women marchers, Americans did what Americans do — rallying to support what they believe in. In the case of this election, it came down to who organized more effectively. I am afraid to say my observations will not support any one narrative; instead, like my dad always taught me, ‘there are three sides to every story and the truth is somewhere in the middle.’ So here you go, the unfiltered lens of a military wife witnessing a few pages of our history book in person.

1. Crowds

The great debate of 2017 has focused on a comparison of crowd size from 2009 to now. I am no mathematician, words are my craft, but at the height of the ceremony when the camera panned out to show an aerial view, the National Mall was full. I have no idea what that equates to statistically, but it definitely did not reflect the photo that has gone viral.

2. How an individual peaceful protester was handledCeremony Protester2

At the onset of President Trump’s speech, an older female protestor stood up on her chair with a sign that read “No racism, no hate.” She was peaceful, not saying a word. The man behind her ripped the sign from her hands and they proceeded to argue. Shortly after, a Capitol policeman escorted her out and the people around me started calling her names like snowflake and sore loser.

3. Diversity

Contrary to popular belief, these Inauguration Day events were not just a bunch of white people supporting this new president. This was most evident at the Welcome Concert Thursday night. There were groups of people scattered within the crowd that had homemade signs reading “Blacks for Trump,” “Hispanics for Trump,” and “Gays for Trump.”

4. Epic securityDSCF1097

Never underestimate the power of the National Guard and law enforcement. Initially, I had reservations about how safe I would feel at such a high-visibility event. Well, the moment I stepped in the perimeter of that Inaugural Ceremony — which was basically the whole of D.C. — I knew I was in good hands.

5. Booing

I was embarrassed. So embarrassed. I have attended so many military change of commands where attendees carry themselves with a certain level of integrity. This. This was more like a baseball game between the Yankees and Boston Red Sox. When Hillary Clinton and President Obama each came out onto the Capitol’s platform, the people around me booed loudly. When Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer spoke on the microphone, the crowd in the back began chanting “Trump.” I don’t know if this translated to viewers at home, but it was a mortifying representation of America.

6. Overwhelming enthusiasm on Inauguration Day

Aside from the immense number of attendees donning red “Make America Great Again” gear, there was an elevated feeling of hope and national pride among the large crowds of people. From the moment I arrived in D.C. what was evident to me was that many of the people who took the time to show up really believe that Trump will improve their lives. I do not know their backstories or if they even voted for him, I do not know their trials or tribulations, but something gave them promise. You could see it in their faces.

In the days following the Inauguration Day change of national leadership, the country finds itself even more divided than we were during the heated election. Any hope that civil discourse would re-enter our society seems unlikely until we learn how to navigate our differences better. However, if there is anything I learned from planting my own heels on the ground of events last week, it is that you should only believe some of what you read and show up when you can to see it for yourself.

Read comments
Tags: 45th President of the U.S.58th Presidential InaugurationBianca Goes to WashingtonInauguration Day Perspectiveinauguration moodinauguration protestersinauguration securityNational GuardPresident Donald Trump
Bianca Strzalkowski

Bianca Strzalkowski

Bianca Strzalkowski has more than 10 years of experience in storytelling. Her portfolio includes interviews with former Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis, Air Force Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown, “Shark Tank” CEO Daymond John, and countless elected and military leaders. Bianca holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and journalism. She resides near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, with her husband and two children. She is a member of the Military Reporters & Editors Association.

Related Posts

Redesigned Ram’s Head Device now authorized service-wide

by Joshua Skovlund
1 week ago
0
ram's head device, vermont national guard, army mountain warfare school

The Army’s Mountaineer badge, better known as the Ram’s Head Device, has been around for decades. However, only those assigned...

Read more

The fall of Saigon: How a young boy fled Vietnam and became a US Marine

by Jenna Biter
1 week ago
0
fall of saigon

Nine days before North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon on April 30, 1975, a 10-year-old boy and his family fled the...

Read more

Massachusetts guard officer shows perseverance in 7th Boston Marathon

by Maggie BenZvi
2 weeks ago
0
boston marathon uniform division

On mile 20, Capt. Kanwar Singh got a cramp. It was the seventh time Singh, the battalion signal officer for...

Read more

How the National Guard is evolving the mission at US southern border 

by Lucretia Cunningham
2 weeks ago
0
southern border

In direct response to recent executive orders, the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), or the combatant command and operational lead for...

Read more

Modern Day Marine military expo returns to Washington

by Jenna Biter
3 weeks ago
0
modern day marine

The annual Modern Day Marine expo will once again take over the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, Tues., April...

Read more

Wyoming National Guard aviation ranks among top in national readiness

by U.S. Military Publishing, LLC
4 weeks ago
0
Wyoming National Guard aviation

CHEYENNE, WYOMING -- The Wyoming Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility achieved the second-highest operational readiness ranking for the...

Read more

Let's get social

The RNG Drill

News delivered directly to your inbox

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL
  • GET THE NEWSLETTER

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • CFC/NONPROFITS

SUBMISSIONS

  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
  • PITCH US

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2023 Reserve & National Guard by U.S. Military Publishing. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Results
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • RECRUITING & RETENTION
    • ENTREPRENEUR
    • TRANSITION
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • PARENTING
  • OFF DUTY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
    • FITNESS
    • MEDICINE
    • MENTAL HEALTH
  • SPORTS
  • OPINION
  • HISTORY
  • MONEY
    • PERSONAL FINANCE
    • BENEFITS
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • CONTACT

© 2024 Reserve & National Guard by U.S. Military Publishing. Site by SCBW

No Result
View All Results
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • RECRUITING & RETENTION
    • ENTREPRENEUR
    • TRANSITION
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • PARENTING
  • OFF DUTY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
    • FITNESS
    • MEDICINE
    • MENTAL HEALTH
  • SPORTS
  • OPINION
  • HISTORY
  • MONEY
    • PERSONAL FINANCE
    • BENEFITS
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • CONTACT

© 2024 Reserve & National Guard by U.S. Military Publishing. Site by SCBW