What's New

“It’s a very special day,” said Gary Bullis, woodcrafter with the Capitol Carpentry Division, who has worked on three inaugurations for the AOC. “Our whole shop is part of it, and we take pride in the work we do to get ready for the ceremony.” 

 

Berry Russom, high voltage electrician leader, sees the Presidential Inauguration as a collective effort involving nearly every AOC employee and using the resources of virtually every division. Although the High Voltage Division is primarily responsible for ensuring a seamless transition if there is a problem with power on the day of the event, they pitch in to help wherever they can, even shoveling snow off the platform after an unexpected storm in 2005.

 

Carlos Elias, Capitol Building superintendent, who is a veteran of four Inaugurations, takes the lead on behalf of the AOC, which is responsible for the entire inaugural infrastructure. He coordinates meticulously with the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), Secret Service, military, Department of Homeland Security, Presidential Inaugural Committee, District Government, and all of the AOC’s Congressional partners including the United States Capitol Police (USCP), House and Senate Sergeants at Arms, Office of Congressional Accessibility, Office of the Attending Physician, media galleries, Member offices and other Congressional staff. 

 

AOC staff oversee the construction of the stands and media towers, install cabling and security fencing, set up chairs, spread mulch, build trash bins, help with way-finding, select and hang pictures in the VIP holding rooms, construct ramps, power trailers, distribute blankets and ponchos if necessary, lay carpet, adorn and decorate the Capitol with flags and bunting, and perform countless unpredictable tasks at the last minute.

 

Planning for the 2013 inauguration began almost immediately after President Obama said the words, “So help me God,” at the end of his oath of office on January 20, 2009. After-action meetings helped Capitol Building staff Perry Caswell, onsite coordinator of the event, and Raynell Bennett, special events coordinator responsible for inaugural procurement actions, begin the planning process spearheaded by Elias.

 

The inaugural platform is constructed entirely from scratch for each ceremony, and it is the biggest task for the AOC. In June 2010, Elias hired a design consultant to make sure that plans for the 2013 platform and stands are compliant with current fire and life safety and accessibility codes. 

 

Construction began after the traditional First Nail Ceremony on September 20, 2012, when the Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers and members of the JCCIC hammered nails into a plank on the platform site. The fencing that is in place for the Labor Day concert will remain there until after the Inauguration.

 

In September AOC Capitol Grounds staff began a major cleanup of the West Front, inspecting the lawn for holes, trimming overhanging or dead tree branches, and repairing turf damaged during the concert. “We are continuously looking for potential pedestrian hazards and safety issues leading up to the Inauguration,” said Ralph LoJacono, general supervisor for the Capitol Grounds Gardening Division.

 

The West Front fountain was drained, filled with sand and wrapped securely to protect it from the platform construction that will take place above it. The Grounds Division will unroll additional fencing throughout the complex at the direction of the USCP. 

Temporary trailers will be set up on both sides of the Capitol; the first one erected will be used for security screening of the contractors building the stands. Later, another trailer on the House side will screen media, and large quadruple-wide trailers will provide facilities for the Office of the Attending Physician and the USCP.

 

In November, the chairs and portable toilet facilities will be brought on site, and AOC staff will install banners and event markers to help guests find their designated seating or standing areas. 

 

Bullis, woodcrafter with the Capitol Carpentry Division, heads a team that hangs five huge 22-foot by 12-foot flags and bunting behind the podium. This project begins about two weeks prior to the ceremony with the installation of wooden supports the length of the flags. Scaffolding is hung off the top of the building, and Bullis and his team attach background white sheets the length of the flags. The current American flag hangs in the center, and it is flanked on either side by the American flag in use at the time the President’s home state entered the union. The first American flag with 13 stars hangs on either side of those flags. 

 

The materials needed in 2013 mirror those ordered for the 2009 ceremony, but Bennett began procuring the materials earlier this time. For example, in 2009, the demand for security fencing was so high in Washington, D.C. — with competing requests from the National Park Service and the Secret Service — that the AOC had to order fencing from Michigan. By starting earlier, Bennett hopes to avoid that scenario. Also new this year is the infrastructure that will provide complete redundancy for all of the power required at the Inauguration. 

 

The opening of the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) in December 2008 gave the AOC added space for support activities as well as additional personnel on Inauguration Day. AOC staff will use 30 to 40 of the CVC’s radios so that all JCCIC personnel can communicate easily throughout the 2013 event.

 

Patrick Wicklund, CVC visitor guide and also new to the process in 2009, helped escort a group of 50 Tuskegee Airmen from their bus drop-off point at the Reserve Officers Association building on Constitution Avenue to their seats. “It was a big honor for me,” said Wicklund. “These men are heroes.” To keep the men warm, Wicklund and others provided blankets and other resources.

 

Many AOC staff sleep in their offices the night before the inauguration. In the morning, there are myriad details to deal with. “Some things you just can’t do until the day of,” said Caswell. “We line up the labor crew by the door near the terrace in case we need help with last-minute specifics like relocating chairs or cleaning off fingerprints from the glass around the front of the podium.”

 

The Capitol’s Electrical Division starts its work months before Inauguration Day to ensure that the VIP holding rooms and the stage area are ready for any electrical needs. Their major role on Inauguration Day is to stand by in case of emergency. “If any lights flicker, we are ready,” said Martin Blanchet, high voltage electrician.

 

This year, as in previous years, the Capitol Grounds staff will develop a weather emergency plan in coordination with the District Department of Transportation. 

 

“All of our snow removal equipment is prepped in case of inclement weather,” said LoJacono. “We’re responsible for roads and sidewalks, and the labor crew is responsible for the steps. But we will all work together if there’s a big storm.”

 

In 2005 when it snowed the night before the ceremony, AOC staff had to continuously vacuum the carpet on the stage until the storm stopped. “Everyone was shoveling the next morning,” said Bullis. “I think even Carlos Elias was outside cleaning off chairs.” 

 

A veteran of more inaugurations than he can count, William Warley from the Labor Division who has been with the AOC since 1973, still finds it thrilling to work on Inauguration Day. “It’s our job, but it is still exciting to see all that goes into preparing for the event,” Warley said.

 

Inauguration Day is like no other for AOC staff. “I’m proud of the work I do on Inauguration Day,” said Bennett. “It’s a challenge, but it is definitely an honor.”

 

“It makes me feel very humble,” said Russom, high voltage electrician leader. “It’s not about politics; it’s about our history as a nation.”