The man who has announced every inauguration for the past 60 years has been replaced by President-elect Donald Trump, CNN reports.
Charles Brotman, who is 89 years old, started announcing the parade when Dwight D. Eisenhower was inaugurated in 1957 and has done so for every inaugural parade since.
Trump has chosen instead Steve Ray, a 58-year-old Washington-based freelance announcer.
Brotman told WJLA that he had already started preparing for the parade and was "heartbroken" when he received an email that he was not invited to fill the role this year.
Brotman, who was once the voice of the Washington Senators baseball team, said he was not told the reason for the decision, but said he wished Ray well.
"I want [Ray] to do good," Brotmantold WJLA. "As opposed to, boy, I hope he fouls up so they say, 'We want Charlie back.' No. I don't want that at all. I'm saying, 'You know what? Good luck, young man. I hope you do spectacular.'"
Trump transition spokesman Boris Epshteyn said in a statement that "The Presidential Inaugural Committee will be proud to honor Charlie as Announcer Chairman Emeritus on January 20. We are thrilled for Steve Ray to be introducing a new generation of Americans to the grand traditions of the inaugural parade."
Ray told The Washington Post that "All of us think of Charlie as as much of the Washington landscape as any building. I'm on top of the world. From my point of view, I am not filling his shoes, I'm not taking his place, I just happen to be the guy who's next."
Brotman said he has not yet decided if he will take up Trump's offer to be Announcer Chairman Emeritus.
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