four years, since eisenhower he's been doing it. look, this is a little nightly news profile that ran on him at the last inauguration in 2013. >> ladies and gentlemen, the president -- >> reporter: there he was at his perch today. if it sounds like charlie has done this show before, he has. you've seen 11 presidents walk down pennsylvania avenue. >> 11 different presidents. >> reporter: charlie is 85 years old. today was his 16th inaugural parade. they call him the president's announcer because the president listens to him for cues on when to salute, stand, sit. he remembers hearing it from a white house staffer. >> the woman says to me, did you know you are the eyes and ears of the president? i said, no i hadn't thought about it. i wish you hadn't told me. >> reporter: it all started in 1949, the first parade ever broadcast on tv. president truman's staff asked charlie and some other