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Commander In Chief's Ball 2013: President, First Lady Appear At First Of Two Official Balls (PHOTOS)

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WASHINGTON -- President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama appeared at the first of two official inaugural balls on Monday night.

The Commander in Chief's Ball, which began at 6 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, honors service members and their families.

Speaking just before 9 p.m., Obama thanked servicemen and women from around the world before dancing with the first lady to Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," performed by Jennifer Hudson.

According to The Associated Press:

Obama told them the biggest cheer he got during his inaugural speech to the crowd on the National Mall was when he spoke about – quote – "the extraordinary men and women in uniform" who are keeping the country strong.

He told them they should know that – quote – "You will be on our minds tonight and every single night until our mission in Afghanistan is completed." He promised them they would get the equipment and support they need.

Story continues below ...

Commander In Chief's Ball
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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance together at the Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball in Washington, at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (credit:AP)
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First lady Michelle Obama arrives Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball at the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance at Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball at the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama dance together at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball in Washington, at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (credit:AP)
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Singer Alicia Keys performs during the Commander-In-Chief Inaugural ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 in Washington. (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama share a dance during the Commander-In-Chief Inaugural ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington. (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama greets first lady Michelle Obama as she arrives on stage during the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington. (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama kiss as they dance during the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 in Washington. (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama share a dance during the Commander-In-Chief Inaugural ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, in Washington. (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama greets first lady Michelle Obama as she arrives on stage during the Commander-In-Chief Inaugural ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 in Washington. (credit:AP)
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Brad Paisley performs at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball at the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (credit:AP)
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Brad Paisley performs at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball in Washington, at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (credit:AP)
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Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden dance together at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball in Washington, at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (credit:AP)
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Jamie Foxx arrives to sing for Vice President Joe Biden's dance at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball in Washington during the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (credit:AP)
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Vice President Joe Biden dances with Army Staff Sgt. Keesha Dentino as Jill Biden dances with Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Figueroa during the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 in Washington. (credit:AP)
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Vice President Joe Biden dances with his wife Jill Biden during the Commander-In-Chief's Inaugural ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 in Washington. (credit:AP)
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Service members and their loved ones dance during the Commander and Chief Ball at the Washington Convention Center January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Obama and Vice President Biden attended Inauguration Balls after being ceremonially sworn in for a second term leading the United States earlier today. (credit:Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance while attending the Commander and Chief Ball at the Washington Convention Center January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Obama and Biden attended Inauguration balls after being ceremonially sworn in for a second term leading the United States earlier today. (credit:Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama speaks at the Commander and Chief Ball at the Washington Convention Center January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Obama and Biden attended Inauguration balls after being ceremonially sworn in for a second term leading the United States earlier today. (credit:Getty Images)
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Marc Anthony performs at the Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball in Washington, at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (credit:AP)

Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Chris Cornell, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson and Marc Anthony were scheduled performers.

Celebrity baker Duff Goldman, of the Food Network show "Ace of Cakes," made a cake for this gala. He told NPR that the patriotic cake would have six tiers with "a lot of stars and stripes" on it.

Obama reduced the number of official balls for the 2013 Inauguration. After attending 10 balls in 2009, Inauguration planners told the AP that this year's more modest schedule of events is a reflection of the nation's tough economic times.

The Commander in Chief's Ball is adjacent to the official Inaugural Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

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