The Lawn Rangers make a 57-mower march on D.C.

[M_Smith]

The Lawn Rangers make a 57-mower march on D.C.
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Millions of people are expected to descend on the nation's capital on Tuesday, January 20, for the inauguration of Barack H. Obama as the 44th U.S. president. Fifty-seven of those on hand will be pushing lawn mowers, but they won't be there to cut the grass on the National Mall or at any of Washington, D.C.'s numerous landmarks.
No, those lawn-mower-loving legions are members of the World Famous Lawn Rangers from Amazing Arcola (Illinois), and they were invited to participate in the inauguration parade up Pennsylvania Avenue. Lawn Rangers cofounder Pat Monahan thinks the Rangers' 2003 meeting with Obama during his run for the Illinois Senate played a role in their inauguration honor. (The photo shows Obama marching with the group in the 2003 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Chicago. See the guys in action in this YouTube video.)
Their invitation is definitely not a result of probity or political clout. "One of our mottoes is 'Never have so few done so much' because we have very few redeeming qualities," says Monahan. Their other motto: "You're only young once, but you can always be immature.")
There's no mower of choice among the 1,000-member Rangers, says Monahan, in part because the machines are never actually turned on. Not that you'd be able to tell a Toro from a John Deere since some of the mowers are decked out with recliners, beer kegs, and other frat-boy essentials; the mower mavens also brandish broomsticks and toilet plungers.
The Lawn Rangers might be seen as representing the tremendous grassroots support President-elect Obama received during the campaign or as a symbol of the cleaning up the new administration faces. Or maybe they're just a bunch of fellas having fun. If you attend the inauguration or watch it on TV, tell us what you think of the Lawn Rangers by posting a comment below.?Daniel DiClerico
Essential information: Whether you're looking to make a political statement or just cut the grass, before you buy a new mower or tractor for next spring, visit our mowers and tractors product page.
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