Group wants inauguration to start in Gettysburg

WASHINGTON - The Inaugural Parade usually goes from Capitol Hill to the White House, but one local group is suggesting the inaugural events begin in Gettysburg.

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership works to promote and preserve a 175-mile corridor between Monticello and Gettysburg.

Cate Wyatt, the president of the partnership, says having President-elect Barack Obama begin his trip in Gettysburg would allow thousands of people from far outside the Beltway to witness the inaugural events.

The procession could start in Gettysburg and "travel though the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage area, through Frederick, into Virginia [along Route 15] and perhaps follow on either down the [Dulles] Toll Road or Route 66 down to the Lincoln Memorial," Wyatt says.

Altering the route would allow more people to watch the procession, which could take place either on Inauguration Day on the day before, Wyatt says.

The 2009 inaugural theme, "A New Birth of Freedom," commemorates the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Obama's inaugural address will reportedly have a Gettysburg Address theme, which, Wyatt says, makes the group's suggestion a "very nice tie-in."

Wyatt says if Obama wanted to fly in, the group would also consider offering events at places like Monticello - Thomas Jefferson's home - or Montpelier - James Madison's home - or the Antietam or Gettysburg battlefield sites.

So far, the group has not received a response from the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

If Obama decides to change the procession route, it would not be unprecedented.

President Bill Clinton began his processional from Monticello - at the other end of the historic corridor - into Washington the day before his first inauguration in 1993.

As many as five million people are expected to attend inaugural events, and hotel rooms have been booked as far away as Delaware and Pennsylvania.

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