Sally Ann Shurmur: In The Midst Of A Most Solemn Occasion, A Pep Rally Broke Out

Columnist Sally Ann Shurmur writes, “The inauguration festivities on Monday were everything I hoped for, and more. Now that’s an opinion.”

SAS
Sally Ann Shurmur

January 23, 20254 min read

Trump inaug 1 24 24

Much like fellow CSD columnist and former colleague Dave Simpson related earlier this week, newsrooms are not the friendliest of places for conservative Republicans. Especially ones whose number one irrefutable draw a line in the sand issue is pro life/anti abortion.

There was the news meeting where I got chastised for rolling my eyes at a suggested headline for after Hillary Clinton won the presidency, because of course she was going to win, “Herstory.”

There was the out loud mocking when the editorial board chose not to endorse a candidate for president. We weren’t dumb and we knew what the corporate folks would say, so why waste the time?

In any case, it was bliss to make a big coffee, cuddle under the big blanket and watch history unfold on Monday, with no one but my dog.

At first, I wasn’t sure how it would be smashed in the Capitol Rotunda, but it was awesome.

The acoustics were great and it seemed like those in attendance were much closer to the action.

Speaking of close to the action, Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso was way up front, greeting each former President and First Lady and shaking hands with several.

At 10:24 a.m., mountain time, President Trump announced, “We will drill, baby, drill,” and it was as though you could hear all of Wyoming cheering.

When the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club started walking down the aisles to the first unmistakable notes of “Battle Hymn,” the tears started flowing.

And continued as the lovely Carrie Underwood waited for her background music for “America the Beautiful.”

When it didn’t come, she calmly said, “You know the words, help me out here,” and then belted it out a cappella.

I loved the camera showing women Glee Club members singing along, imagining them telling their granddaughters about that one time they backed up Carrie Underwood.

By the time the traditional luncheon was underway, the schedule was very far behind.

Guests dined on Nebraska beef and Minnesota apples, nods to the home states of inaugural organizers Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) and Deb Fisher (Neb.)

I wondered how long First Lady Melania could stand in those heels. And thought how itchy her head must have been under that hat.

Next the gang moved to the full to overflowing Capitol One Arena, where President Trump spoke again, signed more executive orders and watched a short indoor parade.

By this time, Vice President J.D. Vance’s kids, 7, 4 and 2, had had just about enough.

While one little boy played with his mom’s updo, the other tried repeatedly to walk on and over the President.

I loved seeing all of the pictures of Wyoming folks there. Despite the shifts in locations, they seemed to be having a great time.

When you wondered when these poor people were going to get to take their shoes off and take a little rest, it was time for the three inaugural balls.

At the Commander in Chief’s Ball, we caught the first glimpse of First Lady Melania’s absolutely stunning strapless white gown with bold black geometric piping. She looked sensational.

The president and vice-president were given swords to cut a gigantic cake.

As the military band played “YMCA,” the President did his dance made famous on the campaign trail holding his sword. He also took a couple of golf club swings with the sword.

 He must have had plenty of Diet Coke, because he seemed revived from the day.

At the last ball of the night, Trump’s children and their spouses joined the President and First Lady on the dance floor.

They danced to Fritz the Dad’s favorite song, “My Way,” by Frank Sinatra.

Tears flowed once again. It had been a spectacular day.

Sally Ann Shurmur can be reached at: SallyAnnShurmur@gmail.com

Authors

SAS

Sally Ann Shurmur

Writer