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Photos: Scenes from the inaugural balls

Michelle Basch | mbasch@wtop.com

January 20, 2017, 11:04 PM

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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump share a few words at the end of the ball. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have the first dance at the Salute to Our Armed Services Ball. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
President Trump gets thanks from Afghanistan. (WTOP/Michelle Basch
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump make their entrance. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
The appetizer table is well stocked to ball goers don't go hungry. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
The appetizer table is well stocked to ball goers don’t go hungry. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
WTOP/Michelle Basch
Inaugural Ball appetizers include crab cakes. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Inaugural Ball appetizers include crab cakes. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
WTOP/Michelle Basch
Spinach and artichoke dip is another appetizer that makes an appearance at the Inaugural Ball. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Spinach and artichoke dip is another appetizer that makes an appearance at the Inaugural Ball. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
WTOP/Michelle Basch
Josh Weathers took to the stage at the National Building Museum for the Salute to Our Armed Services Ball. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Tony Orlando sang a Neil Diamond tune to honor members of the military. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
The Salute to Our Armed Services Ball took place at the National Building Museum. Here’s a look around. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
President Donald Trump and his wife First Lady Melania Trump prepare to dance during A Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump and his wife First Lady Melania Trump prepare to dance during A Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images
President Donald Trump speaks as his wife First Lady Melania Trump watches during A Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C.(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks as first lady Melania Trump watches during A Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images
From left: Chairwoman of Vettys Inaugural Ball Assal Ravandi, Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman, and Beth Chapman attended the Vettys Presidential Inaugural Ball at Hay-Adams Hotel on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images)
From left: Chairwoman of Vettys Inaugural Ball Assal Ravandi, Duane “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Chapman, and Beth Chapman attended the Vettys Presidential Inaugural Ball at Hay-Adams Hotel on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images)
Photo by Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images
Singer Tony Orlando performs during A Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Singer Tony Orlando performs during A Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images
Vice President Mike Pence right, assists his wife Karen Pence as they depart the Naval Observatory for several inaugural balls, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Vice President Mike Pence right, assists his wife Karen Pence as they depart the Naval Observatory for several inaugural balls, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
The Rockettes perform before President Donald Trump's arrival at the Liberty Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The Rockettes perform before President Donald Trump’s arrival at the Liberty Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
The Rockettes perform before President Donald Trump's arrival at the Liberty Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The Rockettes perform before President Donald Trump’s arrival at the Liberty Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
The Piano Guys perform at the Freedom Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at the Washington Convention Center in Washington during the 58th presidential inauguration (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
The Piano Guys perform at the Freedom Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at the Washington Convention Center in Washington during the 58th presidential inauguration. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
AP Photo/Mark Tenally
A couple poses for a selfie at the Freedom Ball at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, Friday, jan. 20, 2017, during the 58th presidential inauguration (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
A couple poses for a selfie at the Freedom Ball at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, during the 58th presidential inauguration. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
AP Photo/Mark Tenally
Vice president-elect Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence dance at the Indiana Inaugural Ball, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
President Donald Trump arrives with first lady Melania Trump, at The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
(1/24)
The appetizer table is well stocked to ball goers don't go hungry. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Inaugural Ball appetizers include crab cakes. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Spinach and artichoke dip is another appetizer that makes an appearance at the Inaugural Ball. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
President Donald Trump and his wife First Lady Melania Trump prepare to dance during A Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks as his wife First Lady Melania Trump watches during A Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C.(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
From left: Chairwoman of Vettys Inaugural Ball Assal Ravandi, Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman, and Beth Chapman attended the Vettys Presidential Inaugural Ball at Hay-Adams Hotel on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images)
Singer Tony Orlando performs during A Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball at the National Building Museum on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Vice President Mike Pence right, assists his wife Karen Pence as they depart the Naval Observatory for several inaugural balls, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Rockettes perform before President Donald Trump's arrival at the Liberty Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The Rockettes perform before President Donald Trump's arrival at the Liberty Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The Piano Guys perform at the Freedom Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, at the Washington Convention Center in Washington during the 58th presidential inauguration (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
A couple poses for a selfie at the Freedom Ball at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, Friday, jan. 20, 2017, during the 58th presidential inauguration (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

WASHINGTON — Of President Donald Trump’s three official inaugural balls held Friday night, the Salute to Our Armed Services Ball stood out.

Invited attendees to the event at the National Building Museum included active duty military, veterans and first responders.

“You are special people, you are great, great people, I have your back,” President Donald Trump told them.

“Also, I like the fact that you all voted for me,” Trump said to cheers.

Tony Orlando performed several of his hits including “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.” He also sang his own version of “America” by Neil Diamond.

Josh Weathers and his band belted out “I Will Always Love You” for the President and first lady Melania Trump’s first dance on the round dance floor beneath the museum’s soaring columns.

The first lady wore a beautiful white, off-the-shoulder gown that she helped design.

Michelle Basch

Michelle Basch is a reporter turned morning anchor at WTOP News.

mbasch@wtop.com

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