Pomp and Circumstance

As graduation season is kicking into high gear, it makes me feel nostalgic! Even though I graduated a loooong time ago, I love the ceremonial aspects to it all! So this week, I didn't go to a graduation but I experienced the pomp and circumstance at a whole new level. This week POTUS and FLOTUS (POFLO for short!) hosted their second state visit of the presidency. This time it was with the President of Mexico and his wife.

As you might recall, the last time POFLO did this, there were some uninvited guests to the dinner. It made me mad that all that was remembered from the event were these two folks who made a mockery of the whole thing. They took away from all the glitz and glamour which is what I love. Ok, I'm off my soapbox and won't comment on my personal feelings towards them anymore! :)

This time around, I worked early so I got to go to the State Arrival Ceremony. Talk about pomp and circumstance. This is one of my favorite things because it's as ceremonial and full of tradition than just about anything that goes on at the White House. I think I should have been a part of the royal family (I'm close with my last name!) because I just LOVE tradition and ceremonies and pomp and circumstance!

Anyway, back to the South Lawn! President Calderon and his wife arrived and after the greetings, they played the national anthems of both Mexico and the US. I was standing among the Mexican press corps and got to hear them singing it. Not that I could understand everything they were singing but I could pick up on a couple of words. I also learned that they when they stand at attention (like we do with our hands over our hearts), they stand with their arms perpendicular to their torso with their hand near their chest. I'm sure I didn't put that into the best words but here's a picture about what I learned:
POTUS and POM (again, this doesn't sound as cool) reviewed the troops. The honor guards of all five branches of military were standing at attention. They were standing right in front of me but I didn't feel like I could ask them to sit down! :) Then one of my two favorite parts of the ceremony took place. The ceremonial drum and fife corps played and marched by. Maybe it's the history geek in me who loves all things colonial or maybe it's music geek in me but I just LOVE this part! Of course, some of them look a little more natural in the George Washington wig than others! But I was almost giddy as they walked by!
Then my other favorite part of the ceremony: United States Army Herald Trumpets. I am sure this is the music geek in me but it also just screams pomp and circumstance! They played from the Truman balcony and it was sooo cool. I'm trying to figure out how to book them to play for my wedding (which by the way is in no way anywhere close to impending but at least I could give them plenty of notice!)

After the ceremony, POTUS and POM had a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office which of course I was not invited to. Then they came out to the Rose Garden for a press conference. It seems like I had spent quite a bit of time in the Rose Garden lately! No offense to two out of three North American leaders, but the presser was a bit lame. Only one question per side and there was little to no news in it. But at least it was a nice day to be outside!!

So I missed the State Dinner and all the glitz and glam from that. Instead I was at Wednesday night supper at my church. There might not have been the ceremonial aspects or any fancy dresses or flowering decorations but the food was good and the fellowship was great! :)