Through our eyes (and ears)

Watch the swearing in of Barack Obama from our spot on the mall in Washington D.C. at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2009. It was an unbelievable thrill to be a part of the flag-waving, chanting, history-making crowd, estimated at between 1.2 and 1.5 million people.

Early morning run

This You Tube video shows the first leg of our journey from the tour bus which dropped us off more than a mile from the mall in Washington D.C. at about 6:00 a.m. We somehow managed to stay together in the dark as we wound our way through the crowds and the traffic, climbing over walls at one point and down a narrrow path to get to the grassy area where we stood for five hours to be a part of this historic event.

Favorite Moments

Going through the trip in my mind and trying to identify my favorite moments is a hard task. There were numerous adventures and comical sayings that I will remember for the rest of my life. I would say that one of my favorite things on the trip was the people I met. We shared a bus and hotel floor with a group from Palm Bay, Florida. They were an amazing group that always had us laughing. We had come from extreme opposites. They were bundled in warm coats, hats, scarves, mittens, and hand warmers in D.C. while we thought of the experience as a break from Maine's harsh temperatures. Our Maine group was often seen in just a sweatshirt or no coat at all. Hopefully after I graduate this year I will be able to see some of them this summer. I will always hear "Palm Bay-Maine," echo in my ears whenever I think of them.
My second favorite moment was when we played a joke on Mrs. Minton. We were going into George Washington's home at Mount Vernon when Jess placed a cellphone in her mom's purse, set to the loudest rap ring tone. Then, once we got next to the tour woman, she called the phone. Mrs. Minton had no idea that it was her phone going off. Finally, once it was repeated to her several times to turn off her phone, she turned to Jess frantically, "Jess, Jess, Jess, what did you do? What did you do to my purse?" Then, Jess replied, "Mom, I can't fix your mistakes." That moment was priceless. I still laugh when I think back about the times we shared. I not only grew close to people from different states, but also the people in my own school. This was a great bonding experience and an even better way to end my senior year. Oh, and the inauguration was great, but hey, that's a given.

Where we were on January 20, 2009

People keep asking where our brave band of Bonny Eagle bloggers stood to watch the inauguration of Barack Obama.
We were near the front of the first long quadrant -- between Madison Drive and 4th Street -- across from the National Gallery of Art West Wing. We were positioned near the porta-potties, behind the first and closest Jumbotron on the left, but with a good view of the Capitol dome in the distance.

This photo gallery of aerial and satellite shots really gives a good sense of where we were on that incredibly cold, but wonderfully momentous morning. Photo #20 gives a good sense of how close we got, relatively speaking, as well as the size of the crowd. The photos can be accessed here

Favorite Moments

Now that we are home, the members of the Bonny Eagle staff will be recording their memorable moments on this blog. (Most of them will wait until they've had a good night's sleep or finished their finals today and tomorrow.) This first one was recorded by Steven Murphy as we sat in the BWI terminal waiting to go home Wednesday night. So, keep reading our blog as we wrap up our impressions of this historic week. J.L.

One of my favorite moments was the morning of the Inauguration when we were walking towards the mall and the capital. Our tour bus was forced to drop us off about six blocks away from the mall. The time was 5:30 a.m. and we had already had a long two days, but our exhaustion was wiped away with the excitement of what we were about to witness.
As we began our walk we were met with hundreds of people herding through the dark streets, making it feel like we were in one of those movies where the world is ending and everybody is trying to make there way out of the city. As we continued the crowd became more and more compacted as it filed into the mall. Soon it got to the point where people were so packed together that you didn't have a choice to move in your own direction, the crowd just moved as one.

Steven Murphy

Day 2: Jan. 19: Dancing the night away

By Shannon Jacobson


We had an early breakfast in the hotel. We sat with members of the Florida group from Palm Bay. We also shared a hotel floor and the bus that drove us into the city every day with them. Once we ended our breakfast, we headed into DC. Our first stop was the Korean War memorial, and then the Vietnam War memorial.
We walked past the Lincoln Memorial, which was still blocked off because of the concert the day before. Then, we went on to visit the Smithsonian museums. One group was with Mrs. Lannin and the other was with Mrs. Minton, Jessica Minton's mother. Mrs. Lannin's group headed to the Museum of Natural History while our group went to the Museum of Art.
At the art museum, we were amazed by the architecture. As soon as we walked in, all around us were large marble pillars. In the center was an enormous fountain with flowers all around. Above us was a glass ceiling that lighted the room perfectly. We were able to see the only Da Vinci painting in the nation. We also saw Monet and Van Gogh paintings.
After we left the museum we walked many blocks to the bus. Then, we boarded and headed to Mount Vernon, the home of our nation's first president, George Washington. We had two hours to do with what we wanted, so we headed up the hill for a tour of his mansion.
There was a long line, about an hour's wait we were told. So to keep us entertained, Stephanie Lombardo had the great idea to get everyone doing the wave. We were at the very end of the line and so Eliot and the rest of our group called ahead to the others and asked them to join in. After approximately 20 tries, we had the whole line doing the wave. I would estimate that there were at least 200 people in line, from states around the country, joined together doing the wave! Our group was in line for an hour and forty five minutes. During that time we did the wave, took pictures, cracked jokes, and listened to Jess and her bottlenose porpous imitation.
After touring the house, which was interesting for its brightly colored, tiny rooms, we headed to the hotel where we got ready for the ball.
We arrived at the "Camelot" reception hall, girls dressed up in cute dresses and the boys in suits. Since the weather was so cold, the boys graciously gave up their coats for us on the bus because we'd been told we couldn't bring our coats because we wouldn't be able to check them. We danced with students from all around the United States, including our famous Flannel Gary. That night was long and tiring, but full of fun and excitement. It was a night that all of us will never forget.

The Final Morning

By Jessica Minton

After Tuesday's activities and chaos, there was nothing Wednesday could bring that we could not handle. Looking back on our first day of long walking tours and information overloads, we had all come a long way in four days. Wednesday morning we were allowed to sleep in. That meant we did not have to get up until seven. Compared to three am. wake up calls, it seemed like a treat. The morning was just like the other two, except this time, we wouldn't be returning. We packed our suitcases and loaded the bus for our routine journey into D.C. We passed by monuments that had once been so new, but now seemed so familiar. We dispersed from our Florida friends, as we both went on to explore the many things the city has to offer.
Our final museum was the Newseum. A place dedicated to the first Amendment only seemed fitting to finalize this patriotic trip. Inside this six story building were exhibits dedicated not only to the news and people who provide it, but also to the people who have fought for that right. That would be the right to freedom of speech. There were sections dedicated to Supreme Court cases that argued the first amendment. We saw the actual black armbands from the Tinker v. Des Monies case along with other artifacts and stories.
Other sections of the museum are dedicated to specific events in history and the way they were covered. The 9/11 exhibit contained the front pages from newspapers throughout the country and the world. Not only are there papers, but video from the attacks are streamed with commentary from reporters who were there. A part was dedicated to a photo journalist who had died while trying to capture the moment. All that was left was his camera that was found in the rubble and the photos that were on he film. Just below was an area containing giant pieces of the Berlin Wall. Being able to see the actual wall that separated that country for so long was something I didn't even know people could still do.
A big piece of journalism is photography. The pieces we saw were important moments in history that were captured by people who risked so much to show the world their first hand accounts. A section held all the Pulitzer Prize winning photos. Some pictures were recognizable, well others were new. All were breath taking.
On the day after the Inauguration, the neatest display was the headlines from newspapers all over the world. Some ranging from small town Gazettes, to national newspapers in writing we could not read, but we could understand. They all spoke of the change that was coming, or not so much coming, but happening. Looking around at all of the events that had been covered, and the events that were significant enough to be on display, made us realize something. We were in the midst of a major event. Just like the displays in the museum, the inauguration we had just witnessed is a defining piece of history. And like the journalist we had just learned about, it is our job to report to those who could not be there, just how important this event was.






Here's a link to the Newseum's wrap-up of its own inauguration coverage.

Inauguration Slide show

Linked here is a Shutterfly webpage of photos by Zach Litif.

Zach Litif
Inauguration Theme

"Community," say many contributors to the craziness in the capitol, "it's not political, were just coming together." While many people line the streets and at 4 am on Tuesday morning the public viewers fill in the free section, awaiting history, sharpshooters line across the White House and 10,000 Coast Guards and 8,000 policemen fill the city.

On the other hand, Obama is succeeding in bringing together the "community" and enriching the culture. With celebrity speakers, famous music acts, and live news coverage all over, the public joining in the activities representing the entire country and most of the world.
Today, I spent most of my day exploring the National Art Museum, and conversing with other students attending the Smithsonian Tour. The atmosphere in DC is absolutely breath taking though. The impressive sense of community reminds myself of the immediate months after the attack of 9/11. Although the 9/11 attacks were very solomn, the idea of community was reborn.

"Hope" is the common slogan and the cause of the renewed sense of community.

An elderly white Republican woman from Minnesota as well as an elderly black Democratic man joined me at a street side vender and shared a short conversation with each other. Before the moment none of us had ever met, and although we were all from different backgrounds and political beliefs, we put aside our differences and enjoyed becoming acquainted with one another. The truth of the matter is, "community" and "culture" are engulfing DC, spreading like wildfire through the rest of the nation Tuesday
January 20th at 12 pm.

"History in the making," "Hope," and "Culture" bring together this renewed sense of community. No we are not at Woodstock, and no we are not VIP's, but we're here and like apostles, we are to deliver and induce this new sense of community at "Home."

Inauguration Day at last!

Our group of 11, plus two chaperones, headed into DC at 5 a.m. to stake out a spot on the mall as close to the historic event as possible. We had a scary moment of being swept off our feet with the crowd in the dark, but we were able to stay together as we snaked our way to a primo spot close to the second Jumbotron, but also as close to the Capitol as we could get without a ticket.
"We had a great spot beside the Jumbotron," said Shannon Jacobson. "We could see the figures at the Capitol with our cameras."
"Running toward the Capitol was something I'll never forget," said Steven Murphy."
We waited five hours for the inauguration to begin. Jess Minton killed some time by making a flag out of pebbles in the dirt around us. She was interviewed by a couple of local TV stations about her art work.
The crowd was pumped and so were we, as Barack Obama took the oath and gave his speech.
"It was moving and fun to be in the crowd, waving our flags..." I really liked Obama's speech." said Jessica Meservey.
"The one liner about war; his stance on American military conflicts impressed me," said Eliot Douin.
We spent the rest of the afternoon in DC, some of us watching the parade from the auditorium of the Museum of Natural History, while others shopped or explored the mall area.

Tonight, we celebrated at ESPN Zone, in the NW section of the city, passing many inaugural ball goers on our way.
The whole day was an incredible experience, an uplifting day that we'll remember for the rest of our lives.

Observations compiled and recorded by Ms. Lannin as we rode the bus out of DC on Inauguration Day

Our own inaugural ball at "Camelot"

By Stephanie Lombardo
We went to an all Smithsonian Student Inauguration Ball on Tuesday, January 21, 2009, the night before the Inauguration. We were all really excited to meet more new people, so we arrived at the dance, all dressed up, and found seats at the round tables around the hall. The room was a big reception hall, decorated with red, white, and blue balloons. The group before us was leaving soon, so we ate dinner while they finished dancing. After dinner we met up with the Florida group we were with and hit the dance floor.

There were tons of people on the dance floor, so it was hard to move and it got really hot really fast. We danced with our Florida group friends, and other random people we had just met. It was really fun to dance with people your own age and not know a single thing about them but still have a good time with them. We met some people from California who were really nice, and one guy whom Jess and Jasmine, our friend from Florida, named ‘Flannel Gary.’ We stayed at the dance for about two hours and danced most of the time. When it started to get really hot, we would step out and get a soda or water, but then get right back on the dance floor.

As the intercom announced at 8:30 that our groups had to leave, we really didn’t want to. But as we got onto the school bus we sang songs most of the way home. That night we went to bed early since our wakeup call for the Inauguration was going to be at 3:15 a.m.!

Governor Baldacci: Your Average Man

The snow was drifting outside while we were getting ready to board the plane at six in the morning. We were discussing our trip when Eliot and Katie asked, “Is that our governor?” All of us looked behind us, Eliot, Katie, Angel, and I, and realized that it certainly was Govenor Baldacci. Halfway through the flight, Angel went up to the Govenor and politely asked him some questions that he was glad to answer. The Governor’s plans includes “the first lady and [his] son attending the reception at the Lincoln Memorial Maine reception to renew America’s promise.” The Governor is excited for reestablishing the beacon of guiding light as a nation.” When we made it off the plane the Governor was kind enough to pose for pictures with our group. After the photo shoot Governor Baldacci expressed that “this is so exciting. This is going to mold your generation.” As we departed Governor Baldacci ended by saying, “Bonny Eagle rules, and not just at football.”

Day 1: The Journey Begins

We began our journey in the wee hours of Sunday morning when we arrived at the Portland Jetport at 5:00 AM. Before leaving in the snowy darkness, some of our staff members were interviewed by the Channel 8 News Team. We also ran into our state’s governor, Mr. John Baldacci, who was kind enough to meet each of us, take our questions, and pose for pictures. After a short delay to de-ice the plane, the 13 of us departed from the Jetport at 7 AM and arrived at Baltimore/Washington International Airport around 9 AM. Then after another short wait for our traveling companions, a group of 21 students from Orlando, Florida. After they arrived, we went out for a quick bite to eat before heading to Arlington Cemetery.
At the cemetery, we went on a tour of the cemetery and saw several famous sights such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the sail mast from the U.S.S. Maine, the ship that caused the start of the Spanish American War. One part of the tour that touched home for our group was finding writer Stephen Murphy’s great-grandfather’s gravesite. He was a general in WWII and it was treat to go and find his resting place. Following Arlington, we went to the Iwo Jima monument commemorating the six soldiers who hoisted the American Flag at the battle of Iwo Jima during WWII.
We ate dinner around 5 at the Pentagon Mall before our nighttime excursion through D.C. monuments. During the nighttime tour we visited such monuments as the WWII memorial, Korean War Memorial, and the Washington Monument. We also visited the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflection Pool, sort of. As you may have heard earlier in the day there was a massive inauguration concert on the steps of the Lincoln with such stars as Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Beyonce, Tiger Woods, Denzel Washington, and many other stars. Unfourtunately we were unable to see the concert, but we did get to see the remnants of post concert trash and barriers that barred us from the memorial itself. Still, getting to see the monuments themselves was quite an experience and so far the trip has been a huge success.
Coming up tomorrow, we plan on visiting the Smithsonian museums and then we’ll attend a dinner and Inaugural Ball at a function space called Camelot.

-Eliot Douin

Peter Anthony: BE Grad to Navy Leader

Peter Anthony, an 04 BEHS grad, is a third class petty officer in the U.S. Navy. Peter will be leading the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue on Inauguration Day.
Peter lives in Virginia, near our hotel. Sunday night, he sat down with reporter Shannon Jacobson for an interview that will be published in the next issue of the Eagle Times. One of the things he told her was that he would be spending all day Monday rehearsing for the parade. Then, he and other parade participants will be "in lockdown" until the inauguration is over. We'll be checking back with him after the inauguration to see how it went from his perspective.

At Arlington National Cemetery: a personal connection

Arlington National Cemetery
Steven and several other Bonny Eagle students look for a gravesite
Steven kneels beside his great-grandfather's grave, down the hill from John F. Kennedy's grave.

By Steven Murphy
We arrived at Arlington National Cemetery around one o’clock and began our tour of the 800-acre graveyard. As we stepped out of the bus, we Mainers were relishing in the warmer air with our jackets in our hands while the Florida group started to bundle up, face masks and all. Next we were given a tour guide and sent on our way. The sheer size of Arlington is astounding: row after row of white graves for as far as you can see.
Visiting Arlington was personal for me. My great grand-father, Joseph Ready is buried amoung the many souls resting in Arlington after leading a battle in World War II as a brigader general. Finding and then standing in front my great-grandfathers grave was truly surreal. I took great pride in knowing that my ancestor is honored at Arlington.
The atmosphere in the cemetery was more than anyone could ask for, grey skies and a slight breeze was a perfect mood for my trip to Arlington.

Questions from Mrs. Neut's third grade students at Frank Jewett Elementary School

Photo shows President John F. Kennedy being sworn in on Jan. 20, 1961.

1. Why does the President have to use a bible to take the oath?
The President doesn't have to use a bible. In fact, the President doesn't have to use the words, "so help me God." But all presidents since Theodore Roosevelt have used a bible in their swearing in.

2. Which hand goes on the bible? The left hand does

3. Why is the other hand raised in the air? It signifies "affirmation", as in raising your hand to agree with something.

4. What kind of bible do they use? Whose bible is it, and does the new President get to keep it? President Barack Obama is using the bible that President Abraham Lincoln used. It will be returned to the Library of Congress after the ceremony and be part of an exhibit there this February.

5. Will the President be on a stage?
Yes, he will be on a platform erected for the event.

6. Who swears in the president? Chief Justice of the United States, The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr. will do the swearing in.

7. Where does the Inauguration take place? Outside the United States Capitol building.

8. What does the oath say? 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. ( they also traditionally add "so help me God.")

9. Why is it always on January 20th? Until 1937, Inauguration Day was March 4. Since then, Inauguration Day has occurred on January 20 (the 1933 ratification of the Twentieth Amendment changed the start date of the term).

Research by Jessica Meservey
Eagle Times staff reporter

Questions from George E. Jack Elementary School

We've received many questions from MSAD6 students, and Eagle Times reporters are in the process of researching the answers so that we can post them before our trip. The first set of questions came from third gradersat George E. Jack elementary school in Standish. The second set of questions came from Ms. Bunk's fourth graders at George E. Jack elementary school in Standish. Ms. Bunk's class also gave us a generous donation of $20!

Questions from George E. Jack third grade students:

1. Are you excited?
We are all very excited, especially because we're going to be part of one of the most historical moments in America's history.

2. Will Obama's wife and kids be there? Yes, Barack Obama's wife, Michelle, and his two daughters, Malia and Sasha, will attend his inauguration.

3. Are you going into the White House?
We're not going inside the White House, but we are going to have our picture taken in front of the White House.

4. Are you going to any museums?
There are 19 Smithsonian museums and we plan on going to most of them.

5. Will you go to the Lincoln Memorial?
Yes we are going to the Lincoln Memorial and may see some of the Inauguration kick-off on the 18th.

Questions from George E. Jack fourth graders:

1. Are you taking the bus, the train, or a plane?
We're flying to Washington on Sunday, Jan. 18. Then, we'll be bused to our first stop: the Arlington National Cemetery where John F. Kennedy is buried along with many soldiers who died preserving our freedoms. That night, we'll tour the sites of Washington D.C, and (maybe) get close to the pre-inaugural events going on all day at the Lincoln Memorial.

2. Are you going to see Obama's kids?
Chances are we won't get close enough to see Obama's two daugthers, Malia and Sasha. We'll be on the Washington Mall in the public viewing area along with students from all 50 states who are part of the Smithsonian Student Travel group. Ten gigantic viewing screens are being erected along the Mall so that everyone will be able to watch the swearing-in ceremony and the president's Inaugural address.

3. Will you guys throw parties once the Inauguration starts?
Our trip includes a party on the night before the Inauguration. We'll be attending the "Camelot" Inaugural Ball on Jan. 19, part of the three-day celebration in Washington D.C. Our ball is just for students and is not considered one of the 10 "official balls" that President-elect Obama is expected to drop in on.

4. What else are you going to see on your visit?
We'll see the White House, but we won't have a chance to go inside. We're visiting the Lincoln Memorial, and a number of the Smithsonian Museums. We also have trips planned to the Capitol, a working newsroom, and Mount Vernon, the home of our first President, George Washington.

Thanks for your questions and support for our trip!
Ms. Lannin and the Eagle Times staff

INAUGURATION BY THE NUMBERS

Here are some numbers (many of them estimates) about the upcoming 2009 inauguration, courtesy of the Associated Press. Also, here's a link to the official Inauguration committee website

* $40 million: the estimated cost of the inaugural parade, balls, opening ceremonies, giant television screens on National Mall and other expenses for the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

* 432: total Presidential Inaugural Committee staff members.

* 58,000: law-enforcement and other agencies working on security.

* 8,000: District of Columbia police officers on duty, and those hired from departments around the country.

* 1,000: U.S. Park Police officers on duty, and those hired from outside departments.

* 550: Metro transit police on duty, and those hired from outside departments.

* 10,000: National Guardsmen helping law enforcement agencies in and around the city.

* 120,000: passengers Metro trains can carry per hour on Inauguration Day.

* 2 million: inauguration subway maps Metro is printing.

* 10,000: charter buses expected to descend on the city.

* 13,000: military and civilian participants in the inaugural parade, including marching bands.

* 112: light bulbs replaced in lampposts on Pennsylvania Avenue parade route.

* 10 large screens broadcasting swearing-in on the National Mall.

* 1,000: vendors so far who have received licensed spots to sell wares around parade route and city streets.

* 15,000 to 18,000: volunteers helping Presidential Inaugural Committee around the city.

* 4,100: minimum number of portable toilets available to the public.

* 10: official inaugural balls.

* 10,000: square footage of the swearing-in stage.

* 6: number of bicycle rickshaws D.C. Pedicab plans to operate.