01.01.05
Soldier recalls three decades of inaugurations

One Soldier has participated in the inauguration of six different U.S. presidents over
the past three decades.

Sgt. Maj. Jack Tilbury, a tuba player and the enlisted leader of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” has been a fixture at inaugural
activities for more than 31 years. His first inauguration was for President Richard M. Nixon in 1973. He plans to retire shortly after
President George W. Bush’s second inauguration.

In January 1973, Tilbury had been with the band for a little more than a year. Little did he know that Nixon’s inauguration would be the first of many for him.

“It was easily the biggest thing I had done with the band to that point in my career,” Tilbury said. But I don’t recall much actually. About a week after the big inaugural parade, L.B.J. (President Lyndon B. Johnson) died, so there was a State Funeral a week after the inauguration. That’s what I remember the most about the 1973 inauguration.”

It could be said that Tilbury’s career began with an inauguration. And much like his career, The U.S. Army Band’s story of beginning is similar.

The U.S. Army Band led the inaugural parade of President Calvin Coolidge in 1925, just three short years after Gen. John J. Pershing ordered the band into existence. The U.S. Army Band traditionally
leads the inaugural parades.

Tilbury stopped marching in the inaugural parades in 1984, but continues to participate in the day’s activities as a member of The U.S. Army Brass Quintet. This element of the band performs at other inaugural events throughout the day. One such event is the congressional luncheon held in Statuary Hall at the Capitol. As the president comes in, the quintet plays “Ruffles and Flourishes” and “Hail to the Chief.”

Of all the inaugurations that Tilbury has had the privilege of participating in, he said the second inauguration of President Ronald Reagan in 1984 stands out the most in his mind. The reason he recalls it so vividly is the fact that the band did not march in the parade, because the parade was never held.

“There was a tremendous cold snap,” Tilbury said. “A week or two before the inauguration it was ridiculously cold. One thing that always happens is there is a parade practice the Sunday before the
inauguration. We step off at (5:30 a.m.) and there was a 10-below wind chill. Here I am marching with 30 pounds of ice cold brass against me. You can’t wear thick enough clothing or gloves. I remember my wife bought me electric socks, the kind that hunters sometimes wear, because it was so cold, and I still couldn’t feel my feet.”

No matter if the weather is fair or foul, Tilbury, and the rest of the band stand ready to support the inaugural or any other event.

“The band is always ready to go for anything,” Tilbury said.