'Field of flags' lit up at National Mall in tribute to 191,500 Americans who can't attend Biden's inauguration
The National Mall has been adorned with thousands of US flags in honor of around 200,000 Americans who won’t be able to attend the inauguration of Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris because of the Covid-19 pandemic. As reported by The Daily Mail, the placement of flags is called the 'Field of Flags’ - which includes at least 191,500 US flags and 56 pillars to represent the 50 states and US territories. On Monday, the Presidential Inaugural Committee illuminated the flags in a ceremony that took roughly 46 seconds - in honor of Biden, who this week will become the 46th President of the United States.
It has been said that the flags represent the people of America who are barred from traveling to Washington, D.C, to personally see the January 20 event because of coronavirus that has infected more than 23.9 million US citizens and killed at least 400,000. Reports also said that Tuesday, January 19, will see Biden and Harris paying tribute to the people who lost their lives to the deadly virus after it hit the US in early 2020. Biden’s transition team said the event also featured lighting around the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.
Pili Tobar, the communications director for the Presidential Inaugural Committee, said, “The inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris represents the beginning of a new national journey. However, in the midst of a pandemic – when so many Americans are grieving the loss of family, friends, and neighbors – it is important that we honor those who have died, reflect on what has been one of the more challenging periods in the nation’s history, and renew our commitment to coming together to end the pandemic and rebuild our nation.” The team of the former vice president has also asked cities and towns to take part in the event by illuminating buildings and ringing church bells at the same time, “in a national moment of unity and remembrance”.
According to reports, a day after the inauguration, on January 21, Biden will attend a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral - probably dedicated to the Covid-19 victims. This year’s inauguration is different from others for one more reason. Until all these years, the outgoing president and first lady have welcomed the president-elect and his wife to the White House on the morning of the inauguration, but Donald Trump and Melania are leaving the presidential residence for Mar-a-Lago Wednesday morning. So, Biden will instead attend a mass. However, it is not clear yet which church he will go to.
Meanwhile, another recent report has stated that the theme of the 2021 presidential swearing-in will be “America United”. The inauguration will be much more intimate, with the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies saying earlier that the ceremony will more closely resemble a State of the Union address, for which members of Congress and the President can invite a limited number of guests.
Unlike previous years, when artists attended the event personally, this year they will make virtual appearances. Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez as well as many artists including Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, Foo Fighters, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and Ant Clemons will be seen performing virtually at Celebrating America. In addition, renowned actor Tom Hanks will host the 90-minute primetime TV special after the main function, which will air on ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, and CNN at 8:30 in the evening, while Eva Longoria will make announcements for special segments.