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Entry bubble The Swearing-In of our 44th President

By: Jake | January 21, 2009 | Category: General

President Barack ObamaMy colleague Jacqueline Snee went to the National Mall on Tuesday. I'll let her tell you the rest:

I am sure people at the swearing-in ceremony either took the day off or were given it off. Being a federal employee whose place of employment is located in D.C., it was nice to be the latter of the two. Since I am new to the area—2 ½ months here to be exact—and this was said to be one of the most exciting things to happen in American history, I thought it would be neat to experience. Was I prepared to watch it up close and personal with 1.8 million people? Not really!

It all started with the Metro ride. Getting on the train close to the start of the metro line gave me no indication of what was to come. Two stops closer to downtown I was pushed up against a window and realized that the amount of people attending this event was going to be astronomical. I got off at L’Enfant Plaza and to my astonishment we could barely get off of the train. People with signs chanting "Obama" got the crowd excited and the time seemed to pass quickly as we were herded out of the metro station and onto the street. Helpful volunteers with signs made sure the group was headed in the right direction. There were parked buses everywhere, barricades everywhere, and police everywhere with no moving cars in sight. Jumping over a couple barricades and walking what only seemed a couple blocks I was able to get through security swiftly and I ended up between the Washington Monument and the White House. There I was able to watch the festivities from the Gravitron.

At about the 4 hour mark, about an hour before the Swearing-In of our 44th President people were starting to waver. Everyone was trying to keep their feet and hands warm. I overheard a young teenager telling her parents she was completely frozen. A guy walked over to our group and asked us if we wanted an American flag. People gave him little notice. I said sure! It just took me to take the bait to get everyone else to want a flag! For a brief moment we had forgotten about our frozen fingers and stiff limbs and were waving our flags high in the air. You might say we were practicing.

The buildup of energy right before the president–elect accepted the presidency was undeniable. With the American flags reminding us why we were there, the people who had taken a seat on the lawn were now standing and trying to get a glimpse of the Gravitron. They too wanted to see history being made. We all had our flags poised. As I got my camera out I was glad that I was on the National Mall to witness such a diverse crowd welcome a man who brought hope to many people. The video I took captures what it was like.

| Post a Comment | View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: inauguration   swearing_in_barack_obama  

Comments (5):

blue comment bubble Posted by Gratitude.Pacific on January 23, 2009 at 09:27 AM EST

31 December 2008

Dear Excellency,

I believe as part of Global Community, each of the member has the responsibility to support for the betterment of the World, especially for the poor and developing nations.

Indeed, I do hope for a World of Social Justice, Fairness in Gender & all areas. I do believe Equal Opportunity for Women as well as for Men throughout the world.

Indeed I have ever written an email to Taiwan's Government regarding the corporal punishment matter many years ago. As during President Chen Shui Bian's period, Taiwan was mulling for corporal punishment. My email just to advice President regarding the experiences Singapore and Malaysia in Corporal Punishment. In that email I hope Taiwanese Government to emphasize on Gender Equality & Fairness in the matter of penal punishments. I have never advocated for any violences or discrimination like Violence to Women.

Here I wish Happiness for All People in the world.

May God Bless the World, particular the poorest and the most vulnerable nations.


Best regards

Gratitude.Pacific

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blue comment bubble Posted by Katie on January 23, 2009 at 11:06 AM EST

What time did you get on the metro? We were on the platform at Van Dorn by 4:11am and still I could not believe the crowds when we got off at Federal Center around 5am. We had tickets for the silver section and I can see how many people didn't get in. The security folks would have benefitted by some bull horns or some other way to communicate with the crowds in line. At 5:30am it was still completely dark out and the growing crowds couldn't really tell where we were going - or where we should go! I'm grateful we got in - even though we couldn't even see a jumbotron from where we stood (just behind the Capitol Reflecting Pool). I was saddened to learn that several people with tickets did not get in. I think this would have been avoidable with more communication to the crowds and with security gates opening earlier.

I am glad that I went. the more I tell others about my experience, the more grateful I am at how smoothly things went, and that I was there to witness history being made!

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blue comment bubble Posted by Kristine (DCA) on January 26, 2009 at 07:51 PM EST

Hi Jackie!

How exciting!

Fabiola told me that you had emailed her and about this blog. I am so happy for you - that you have settled in (as much as you can settle in 2 1/2 months).

Hope you will eventually create your own blog so we can track your adventures in DC. You sure started off with a bang - with the inauguration and all.

Hope to read more soon.

Take care.

Kristine

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blue comment bubble Posted by Jacqueline on January 29, 2009 at 11:43 AM EST

Hi Katie!

I got on the Metro at Fort Totten around 6:30am. Arrived at L’Enfant Plaza around 6:45am. Even though the amount of people on the platform was kind of scary the energy was amazing! Never had I seen so many crammed into such a small area!The more amazing part was no one was angry!
Washington D.C. probably has not seen numbers like this in a long time so hopefully our next go round the security will have perfected their communication with each other a well as the crowd! I am glad no one was hurt and the crowds dispersed peacefully!

I think the many of us who did bear the elements, crowds and uncertainty of the day will look back and be happy we lived to tell too!

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blue comment bubble Posted by Dr. Martin on January 31, 2009 at 09:35 PM EST

Glad to see you are having such a good time and that you got to partipate in such a monumental moment. I am also happy to see that you are fitting in well in the capital.

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