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Many Watauga County folks went to Washington last month to attend the
Inauguration of America’s 44th president. These are some of the memories they brought
home.
* * *
When President Obama spoke, tears were on faces all
around me. I heard sniffles from my daughter. “Mom, this is history, and
I’m here.” I was reminded of my mother -- when John F. Kennedy was
inaugurated, she said to me, “This is history. Jump in the car. We’re going!”
Since my daughter and I were so last-minute, a friend
on Capitol Hill graciously shared her house with us (and with seven others!) …
people coming together from all walks of life to see history made!
Jenny Miller
* * *
The “silver line,” for those with invitations, was
nearly a mile long. Right before we got in, they closed the gate, and my
section started protesting and chanting, “We want in!” Then everyone charged, and we went in without
going through security. Once we got in
it was elbow to elbow; there were about seven people in the bathroom line, even
though there were about 50 Porta-Johns.
It felt hot and cold all day because it was 20 degrees outside, but 1.8
million of my closest friends were sharing their body heat.
After Biden was sworn in, the crowd erupted into
cheers. That was nothing compared to
what happened when Obama was sworn in -- fist bumps, cheering, people crying
tears of joy. I felt proud to be at this
historic event.
Sebastian Ivory
8th Grader, Valle Crucis Elementary
* * *
People were polite and contagiously happy. High-fives
all over the place, and hugs. It was like winning a gold medal at the Olympics.
A man next to me had moved to Guadalajara,
Mexico, 28
years ago and hadn’t been back since. He felt this was such a monumental change
that he had to come back for it. I am thankful to have been there to be part of
history.
Jill Reeves
owner, Appalachian Antique Mall
* * *
Inspiring. That is the best word for it. As
Jeanie and I traveled through crowds, we felt a spirit of unity and humanity.
People from all walks of life, all races, nationalities, and classes helping
one another, sharing stories, joining together to witness the swearing in of
our first African-American President.
Tim Futrelle
Watauga County
Commissioner
* * *
Tears started early and didn’t stop. I didn’t care.
Though the crowd was diverse and huge, I felt like everyone around me was a
friend. The Obama years were finally beginning. My children finally had a
leader they could be proud of. And all of us had our country back. That’s why I
cried.
Matt Robinson
* * *
What sticks with me was the camaraderie. Standing in
the cold, waiting in lines, navigating crowded public transportation -- it was
all worth it. I met people riding the Metro who had been at the march in 1963,
and now they were part of the transition team for the Inaugural. I won’t forget
what President Obama said: “We reject as false the choice between our safety
and our ideals .... Know that your people will judge you on what you can build,
not what you destroy.”
Mary Beth McKee
* * *
People of every age, race, color, gathered peacefully
to celebrate a new era for America!
I don’t think I have ever been as cold on the outside, while as warm on the
inside! I’m so glad I was able to experience such a memorable event in person!
Becky Davis
* * *
Two groups gathered at the screen where I was. One
was the contingent from the Crow Indian Nation which adopted Obama into the
tribe in 2008. They ranged in age from 18 to 80, wearing tribal ceremonial
clothing, face paint, and the feathers of about 100 bald eagles!
The other group was the Fort Riley Kansas Army
post, whose commander maintains one of the last mounted horse outfits in the U.S. They were
in antique Army uniforms.
So here we were, Indians and horse soldiers, all rapt
together. At the end of the Oath of Office, and as one, they jumped to their
feet, clapped each other on the back, yelled yip, yip, yips
and yeeeeeeeeeeeeehaws. Maybe it was a memory of that old campfire song,
"Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight,"
that made me join the yelling in Chinese, haojiele, meaning, roughly,
"Oh yeah!"
Robert A. White
* * *
Special, from Ireland
As an ASU student spending the semester in Ireland, Inauguration Day had a
special meaning.
I went to the student pub on campus, expecting to
have a quiet beer and watch history unfold with a small crowd of fellow
Americans, but the old bar was crowded beyond capacity with Irish, Chinese,
Indian, Colombian, and (yes) American students … standing on tables, piling up
on the floors, congregating in the hallways, all fighting for a view. Cheers,
every time the camera showed Barack Obama … followed by utter quiet when he
spoke.
Being in Ireland
showed me that the day meant something to the whole world. Never in my life
have I been so proud to be an American.
Travis Johnson
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