Obama leads MLK day of service

Obama leads MLK day of service

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President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama flank Jeff Franco and Sheri Fisher helping refurbish a Washington school.

As the nation’s capital put the finishing touches on its preparations for President Obama’s inauguration, the man of the hour kicked off the celebratory weekend by leading the country in a day of service.

The First Family joined volunteers refurbishing a Washington school, and Obama noted that the inaugural festivities were not an exaltation of one man â€" but rather the nation’s freedoms.

It is “a symbol of how our democracy works, and how we peacefully transfer power,” Obama told those gathered in the Burrville Elementary School gym. “But it should also be an affirmation that we’re all in this together.”

Obama painted a bookshelf and said his mind was drawn to Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday is being celebrated Monday â€" the same day the nation’s first African-American President begins his second term.

Obama painted a bookshelf and said his mind was drawn to Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday is being celebrated Monday â€" the same day the nation’s first African-American President begins his second term.

“I’m always reminded that [King] said everybody wants to be first, everybody wants to be a drum major,” paraphrased Obama, “but if you’re going to be a drum major, be a drum major for service, be a drum major for justice, be a drum major for looking for other people.”

Vice President Biden and his family packed care kits bound for military personnel deployed overseas and wounded veterans at home. Chelsea Clinton, who was tapped to lead the day of service, rallied thousands of volunteers gathered on the National Mall.

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“My parents certainly inspire me every day,” said Clinton, who noted that her father signed a bill making King’s birthday a day devoted to volunteer work.

While Clinton spoke, workers busied themselves setting up information booths and Port-o-Potties for the crowds that will descend upon on the Mall for Monday’s ceremonies.

Officials estimate 600,000 to 800,000 people will show up to witness the ceremony at the Capitol. That is a typical size for an inauguration, but far smaller than the 1.8 million who turned out to watch Obama’s historic first swearing-in four years ago.

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The massive crowds in 2009 led to pedestrian gridlock and an overhaul of the day’s security procedures. Additional cell phone towers were also installed on the Mall to help handle the crush of cellular traffic.

But those visitors will not be able to get a first-hand glimpse of Obama taking his official oath â€" which is actually happening Sunday.

The Constitution states that presidential terms expire at noon on Jan. 20, but because that date falls on a Sunday, the massive celebrations were pushed back a day.

Instead, Obama will first be sworn in just before noon Sunday during a small White House ceremony attended only by his family and a few dignitaries.

Biden also will take his oath twice, first Sunday morning, and then again a few minutes before Obama on Monday.

The parties following Monday’s ceremony and parade will also be toned down compared to four years ago. There will only be two official inaugural balls, and far fewer A-list celebrities in attendance.

The White House has said it wanted to scale back the celebrations out of respect to the nation’s still-struggling economy.

dfriedman@nydailynews.com and jlemire@nydailynews.com