Inauguration weekend kicks off with Obama taking part in service events

President Obama and Vice President Biden were joined by their wives today as they participated in National Day of Service events to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mr. Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were off to Burrville Elementary School in Northeast D.C. to help with some painting and repairing. They were joined by members of City Year, an Americorps program that places young people in urban areas to help serve the community for a year.

The Obamas helped stain a bookshelf before addressing the participants (Michelle Obama thought the president did a "fine job" with his staining.)

Play Video

Obamas participate in National Day of Service

Both thanked the volunteers for serving, and Mr. Obama declared that "This is really what America's about" - giving back to your community and helping others.

"We think about the fact that this is Dr. King's birthday we're going to be celebrating," he said, paraphrasing Dr. King's exhortation to be a "drum major" for justice, peace, and righteousness: "Everybody wants to be first, everybody wants to be a drum major. But if you're going to be a drum major, be a drum major for service...be a drum major for looking out for other people."

The first lady thanked the participants for serving - and doing so "happily" - noting that the spirit of service represented in the room was "a symbol of the kind of work that we need to be doing for the next four years."

To the young people in attendance, she said, "We're passing the baton to you all," and urged them to remember that "as long as you're pulling somebody up with you, you're doing the right thing."

• Complete coverage: The Presidential Inauguration 2013
• Inauguration weekend: Washington gets ready to party

Meanwhile, across town at the D.C. Armory, Vice President Biden and Jill Biden were rolling up their sleeves as well, assembling care packages for U.S. troops, wounded warriors, veterans, and first responders. The event, called "Unite America in Service", was organized by Points of Light, a volunteer service organization.

Play Video

Bidens lend a hand on National Day of Service

After pitching in - and getting chummy with other volunteers as only he could - the vice president addressed the crowd, paying tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of "absolute service," and thanked his fellow volunteers for helping keep that legacy alive.

He reserved special praise for the troops serving overseas in some of the most "godforsaken areas" on Earth, saying "Thank God" the war in Iraq is over and the war in Afghanistan is drawing to a close.

Play Video

Biden lauds Dr. King's legacy of "absolute service"

He also lauded the families of service members, urging the audience to remember the words of the romantic poet John Keats, who said, "They also serve who only stand and wait."

"Although there's only one percent fighting these wars," Biden said, "99 percent of the nation owes them a debt of obligation."

[jojord]

I can't see anyone else more qualified to be president. Now lets see what we can do with the next 4 years.

[tsigili]

A day of Reverse Racism, is what it should be called.

[Social_Adjudicator]

1460 days or less and this charade will be over. Many wars have lasted much longer.
Hopefully, this one can be contained.

[michaelz06]

They won, let them have their celebration. Then, when that is done, they can go back to trying to figure out how to deal with a country where just under half of the electorate can't stand them, or their policies.

[catmomtx]

Every time President Obama and or his wife have their picture taken people on the right come out helter skelter screaming photo op. SO FREAKING WHAT!!!!! Maybe that is enough to get people out for a day of service, maybe it is that on days like this the media takes pictures.In fact, the media usually does try and get pictures of the Presidents and their families. I would love to think though it absolutely is just to make people like you whining, crazy as heck.

[opedanderson2]

Gush gush gush
golly golly golly
omg omg omg
amazing amazing amazing
softball softball softball

good job, CBS.....

[andrewjsacks]

We are fortunate to have this couple leading our nation--again and still.

[jojord]

Really true . I agree

[dcooper0011]

If Obama walked on the stage then dropped his pants then crapped on the stage. The left media will be there to wipe his backside and tell us what a great speech it was.

[ugacrew]

I am so glad that I don't have such a negative spirit. Life can be so much better without one.

[catmomtx]

Well he won't but tell me, is that the reason Mitt Romney went into hiding? I mean, that is pretty much what he did.

[Solarrays247]

...and I've certainly not been disappointed. The haters, as is typical, have shown up in here today to pronounce their small mindedness, sitting anonymously behind their keyboards and monitors spewing their venomous and spiteful hatefulness, while millions of our fellow Americans were out serving others in an attempt to make this a kinder and gentler world for all.

Don't let me disturb all of you mental giants. I just got home from volunteering at a nursing home, and intend to have some dinner and catch a movie.

Carry on.

[ugacrew]

Solarray,

So many people really don't know that hate and evil always comes back on them and will rear itself in their lives in may other ways. They are to be pitied, if anything. You really need not say anything. Life will teach them their own lesson.

[matt6052]

Notice the extras use the stain brushes normally while Michelle Obama wears outdoor work gloves and Barack Obama wears latex bio-hazard gloves. It's okay. The media has them covered.