Alaska Governor Inauguration 2006
Bob and Gail at the ceremony
We were honored to join family, relatives and campaign volunteers as passengers in a motorcade of five Holland America motor coaches for the six plus hour drive to Fairbanks. The mood onboard was filled with excitement and anticipation as everyone looked forward to the Inauguration festivities the next day. Notables in our motor coach were the mom and dad of Governor-elect Sarah Palin, and our good friends Jim and Faye Palin, family of Sarah’s husband Todd. Todd is already being called the “First Dude” instead of the “First Gentleman”, and the title of First Dude fits him perfectly.
Arriving for the Inauguration we were astonished to see long lines of people waiting outside in the snow and cold to enter the Carlson Center more than an hour before the ceremony began. Once inside we watched bus loads of high school students fill all the balcony seats. The building was packed almost to capacity with over 4,800 people in attendance! A buzz of high energy was everywhere in the room.
The ceremony was well done and touching, with many standing ovations. Sarah’s acceptance speech was one of the best I’ve heard. The framers of the Alaska Constitution, written 50 years ago, were identified and honored. A commemorative poster with an image of my painting “Rainbow of Promise” was given out to every person in attendance, and I enjoyed signing the poster for collectors.
Governor Sarah Palin and Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell
The ride home was a party of good eats, singing, guitar music and interesting discussions that went on late into the night. I am proud and humbled to be part of this historic event in Alaska.
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist
