“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” – Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, March 1861

The 58th Inauguration Schedule of Events

0830 – 43 degrees, rain – Morning Worship Service –  President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect Mike Pence and their families are scheduled to attend services at St. John’s Episcopal Church, just steps from the White House. The pre-inaugural tradition began in 1933 by FDR and Eleanor.

0930 (ish) – 45 degrees, rain – To the White House for Tea –  The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies will escort the President-elect, VP-elect and their spouses to the White House where President Barak Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome them with morning tea on the South Portico.

Meanwhile – 0930 – Inauguration ceremony begins with (up to the minute list) musical performances on the west front of The Capitol. No performance times have been released. Official Cast of Characters Bios.

1030 – 46 degrees, cloudy – Procession to The Capitol –  An inaugural mainstay since 1837, The President-elect and the outgoing President will then proceed together to the Capitol for the swearing-in ceremonies by motorcade. Historical (hysterical) awkward motorcade processions.

1130 – 46 degrees, cloudy – Swearing in Ceremony begins (Official Program)

Prelude:   “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band

Call to Order:   The Honorable Roy Blunt United States Senator, Missouri

Readings & Invocation:   His Eminence Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York; Reverend Dr. Samuel Rodriguez, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; Pastor Paula White-Cain, New Destiny Christian Center.

Musical Selection:   Missouri State University Chorale

1155 – 46 degrees, cloudy – Vice President Mike Pence is sworn in as the 48th Vice President of the United States.  Pence has chosen US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to administer the oath. He will place his hand on Ronald Reagan’s bible at the ceremony.  Although no formal verbiage was laid out in the Constitution, the following oath has been used by VPs, Senators, Representatives and other government officials since 1884.

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.“

Musical Selection:   Mormon Tabernacle Choir

1200 – 46 degrees, cloudy – President Donald J. Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States by US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. President Trump will recite the oath using two bibles: President Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration bible, and a bible given to him by his mother June 12, 1955, after graduating from Sunday Church Primary School at First Presbyterian Church in Queens. As stated in the Constitution, Article II, Section I, Clause VIII:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Musical Selection:   “Hail to the Chief”

Presidential Salute: Military 21-Gun Salute.

… The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Presidential Salute Battery, founded in 1953, fires cannon salutes in honor of the President of the United States, visiting foreign dignitaries, and official guests of the United States …

… Today, the Presidential Salute Battery fires the 75mm blank ceremonial shell with 1.5 pounds of powder.

Ceremonies require a five-person staff and a two-person team for each gun. The staff consists of the Battery Commander, who initiates fire commands and ensures the proper number of rounds are fired. The Sergeant of the Watch, who marches the battery into position, controls the firing of the backup gun, and monitors the watchman and the assistant.

The Watchman controls the timing between rounds and gives the command to fire, and the Assistant Watchman ensures the Watchman stays in time. Finally, the Counter counts the rounds and signals the last round to the battery.

Each two-person team consists of a gunner who fires the cannon and a loader. The loader has the most difficult job. The 75mm shell must fit into the block at a particular angle and does not allow much time to place the shell by sight. It must be learned by feel and speed.

This skill can take up to six weeks to master before the team is proficient enough to participate in a ceremony. The Presidential Salute Battery trains constantly to perfect their craft and takes great pride in their appearance and performance of their duties. Although they are rarely seen but always heard, they execute their duties with the same precision and dignity as any unit in The Old Guard.

Inaugural Address:   The President of the United States

Readings and Benediction:   Rabbi Marvin Heir, Simon Weisenthal Center; Reverend Franklin Graham; Samaritan’s Purse and The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; Bishop Wayne T. Jackson, Great Faith Ministries International.

National Anthem:   Jackie Evancho

1230 – 46 degrees, cloudy – Ceremony ends.

1300 – 47 degrees, rain – President Trump and Vice President Pence will attend the Inaugural Luncheon hosted by the Inaugural Committee, JCCIC. The tradition dates back in its current form to 1953 and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The luncheon is held in the Capitol’s grand Statuary Hall and includes speeches and will include food from Trump’s and Pence’s home states.

1430 – 48 degrees, rain – “President Trump and Vice President Pence will conduct a military review at the east front of the U.S. Capitol.”

1500 – 48 degrees, rain – President Trump and the First Lady with Vice President Pence and Second Lady will lead the inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House. Expected are over 8,000 parade participants, including veterans and active members of the military, high school and college bands, police, motorcycle and cavalry units, and the Boy Scouts of America, among others. James Madison started it all in 1809 with a review of his militia and he walked the way to the steps of the Capitol.

“Steve Ray and CEO of the presidential inaugural committee Sarah Armstrong told CNN on Monday that the parade would last an hour and a half, shorter than parades of the past.”

1900 – 48 degrees, cloudy – There are three official balls in Washington, D.C. planned to celebrate President Trump’s inauguration. Trump and First Lady Melania are expected to take the dance floor at each.

“The two main balls will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, with guests from across the country. The invitation-only Salute to Our Armed Services Ball, in honor of the military, first responders and other service personnel, takes place at the National Building Museum.”

Happy Inauguration Day, RedStaters! You’ve reached RedState’s only Daily open thread. Today’s WaterCooler is a special Inauguration edition. If you’re in DC, be our ears and eyes. If you’re watching from your chair or on your smartphone or listening to the ceremonies on the radio, share your thoughts below. Or…talk about whatever the heck you want to talk about – it’s an open thread. Enjoy!