A 91-year-old Salem, New Jersey man will be one of many at the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2017. Even though B. Harold Smick Jr. is a Democrat and voted for Hillary Clinton, he is attending Donald Trump's Inauguration on Friday. It will be his 18th Inauguration since 1941 when he was only 15-years-old.
Smick's first Inauguration
Smick says he still can vividly remember his very first Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 1941. It was the day he witnessed Franklin D. Roosevelt become the only United States president sworn in for a third term.
That was the first of many Inaugurations Smick would attend over the years. In fact, he hasn't missed one since his first, when he was not even old enough to vote.
Not only does Smick attend the events, he also takes souvenirs. He has collected something from every one of the historical events, including buttons, pamphlets, tickets, and even a piece of felt from the stage cover of his first Inauguration.
Memorable Presidential Inaugurations
Smick has a story to tell about all of the events he has attended. He remembers especially the Inauguration of President John F. Kennedy in 1961 when there was a terrible snowstorm. In fact, he got stranded and considered taking the train back to New Jersey and leaving his car in Washington D.C.
The avid attendee is looking forward to attending the festivities on Friday. Perhaps he will have a memorable story to tell about this one, as well. Also, he is looking forward to adding something to his collection of items. Smick says he attends all of the events because it indicates that he is proud of his country. He concludes about the election and the swearing-in ceremony that he is praying for Donald Trump that he will help the nation heal by bringing peace, health care, and jobs.
How many people will attend?
Usually, a Presidential Inauguration draws hundreds of thousands of Americans to Washington D.C. to watch the president officially be sworn in to office, but it is unclear just how many people will show up to witness Donald Trump being sworn in because so many people said they will boycott the ceremony. One thing we know for sure is that, unless an emergency happens, B. Harold Smick Jr. will be there.
