The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Saturday Is Our Nation's
Presidential Inauguration

by Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor and Publisher

17 January 2001

Leadership: it's something we need to run our great but complicated country in America but in most of our endeavors, great leaders are hard to find.

In fact, if you look back to your school day experiences when you knew your classmates pretty well, there were few, and sometimes no great leaders.

One of my favorite encouragements for "Leadership" is on my office wall. It is a picture of our national bird, the American Eagle, with the inscription:

LEADERSHIP

"Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage."

I hope we are encouraging our youth, by example to be good leaders. I know Oquawka's Citizen Of The Year, Barb Lumbeck has.

But, what can we do?

This week began with the recognition of Martin Luther King who promoted a non-violent march for freedom and justice in America for black Americans.

Suggestions from the "Dosomething.org" website, suggests that we Perform Acts of Kindness (helping others) and Acts of Justice (standing up for what's right) for 2 weeks in honor of the King holiday. They ask students to bring the Do Something Kindness & Justice Challenge to their school!

This week will end with the Inauguration of America's new leader, President George W. Bush on Saturday.

I hope we watch this historic event with our family as our new leader takes charge of the vast responsibilities of this nation. Each of us can pray for his protection, and for wisdom and guidance in leading us.

According to news reports listed on the Chicago Tribune website, greater security is being enforced than ever before.

About five miles of chain-link fencing 6 feet high and weighted with concrete blocks has encircled the Lincoln Memorial and large portions of the National Mall. It is the most extensive use of such a barrier for an inauguration and the most visible sign of intense security. People for the first time will have to pass through security checkpoints to attend the inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue.

5,000 military soldiers and bands have been practicing for this great occasion. It will include a roar of cannons firing a 21 gun salute and bands playing John Phillip Sousa marches.

Along Pennsylvania Avenue troops will line both sides standing at attention during the parade. Enlisted men will ride white horses.

The high fencing also encloses two large areas near the Capitol grounds that will be a standing-room-only area for people with tickets to the inauguration.

My son Troy and his wife Erica are excited to be attending at this location as well as at one of two gala events the evening before. They promise to inform us of their experiences.

Security will be the tightest in decades because police are expecting the largest turnout of protesters since President Nixon's swearing-in ceremony in 1973, when thousands marched against the Vietnam War.

Causes ranging from the environment to the death penalty will be joined by others angered by the contested election. Organizers say the combined turnout may exceed 10,000, adding that their plans are peaceful

The day is about new leadership, but the challenges you and I face is here. Ours may seem small, but it is the first domino where it all begins and that's a lot of responsibility for each of us.