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Bush pledges ‘fresh start’ By Melissa DeLoach WASHINGTON, D.C. — President-elect George W. Bush promised the country “a fresh start” as he opened his inaugural celebration Thursday at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Bush promised he would treat the office with care and never take it for granted. The presidency does not belong to any one person, but to the American people, he said. “A new administration is an opportunity for change and a new direction,” Bush said to the crowd gathered outside the monument. “That is the promise I have made and the promise I will keep — to give America a fresh start. “My administration will serve all Americans and this inauguration is for all Americans to enjoy. Wherever you come from, whatever your political party, thank you for taking part in this great tradition of our country. I am honored to serve, and I am ready to start.” Thursday’s event was headlined by Latin music star Ricky Martin. Larry King, host of CNN’s “Larry King Live,” served as master of ceremonies. A gala fireworks display soared from the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, The White House and from a barge on the Potomac River behind the Lincoln Memorial. Other musical acts were country duo Brooks and Dunn, opera singer Charlotte Church, Las Vegas star Wayne Newton and pop star Jessica Simpson, who performed a piece presented by British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Special appearances included Radio City Music Hall’s Rockettes, boxing champ Muhammad Ali and Olympian Dana Torres. Although police gave no official crowd estimate, the public came from all lengths to be a part of the event as the 54th inauguration began. The federal government encouraged 300,000 employees to take the day off to ease traffic congestion. Police shut down several streets and closed nearby Memorial Bridge for security to the afternoon event. Julie Moroni of Richmond, Va., took the day off from work when she heard Martin would be performing. Moroni and a co-worker were on the road by 5 a.m. Thursday to get a front-row seat behind a chain link fence at the monument. Brothers Christopher Solar, 15, and Thomas, 12, traveled from Florida by train with their mother, Martha, to get a lesson in history. The two boys are home schooled and have followed the election to the minute, said their mother. “We left our bags at the station and came directly to here,” Christopher said. “We paid $2 for hats and gloves on the corner to stay warm. We were the first ones here this morning at 7 a.m.” Michelle Yalamas tried to explain to neighbors and friends in Long Island, N.Y., why she decided to bring her three children to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration festivities. Their teachers encouraged the trip. The only request: pictures. But some fellow New Yorkers said her children Stephanie, 9, Steven, 4, and Olivia, 6 months, were too young to appreciate the experience. Yalamas proved them wrong. “Children know more than people give them credit for,” she said.“I brought the children to the hotel gift shop and picked up a button with Bush’s face in the middle. I asked the kids if they knew who the man was, and when I said it was George Bush, they quickly corrected me and said ‘no mom it’s George W. Bush.’” Melissa DeLoach
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