I Was There - Part 2

Did you see me waving the flag on the Mall? I was there along with the 1.8 million people or so folks milling about the Mall & Parade Route (as well as those that were not able to get in because of overly zealous security procedures). Anyway, my day started out around 5 am….yeah, early! I walked to the Metro with Lisa, the person who was staying with me from LA and flew in just for the inauguration. When I went outside, I saw my neighbor’s dad, who also was getting ready to depart for the swearing-in. He and his friend drove from Wisconsin for the inauguration. These people were only 3 of the thousands from all over the country that came to witness this emotional and historical event.

I was supposed to be a volunteer and meet at the Castle on the Mall, which is located on 12th Street. At first, I was going to get off at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro stop but decided against it in the crowded metro (yes, it was crowded at 5:30 am) and I started to sweat because of all the layers I had on. So, I decided to get off at Gallery Place and cross over Pennsylvania Avenue at 9th, 11th or 12th Streets. Big Mistake. The organizers failed to let anyone know, including the media, that there was only ONE crossing to get to the Mall – at 18th Street. So, in the darkened streets of DC where thousands upon thousands were congregating, many of us begin the long, long walk to 18th Street (because of where the White House is located, we had to go north first to Eye Street, then back south on 18th Street to the Mall). I was just amazed at the number of people there at such an early hour. There also were hundreds of police/military and dozens and dozens of buses/trucks blocking the entrances to the streets.


I arrived on the Mall at sunrise and enjoyed some beautiful views of the DC skies. I decided to head to the Castle and ran into Sabine who told me to meet up at the Castle. She volunteered during the campaign and was one of the lucky few who got to meet Obama at the Open House on Wednesday. Because I signed up to volunteer, I got a credential, which came in handy. At about 8:30 am, I was COLD and heard the Museum of Natural History were opening their doors. My credential got me in a bit after 9 am and there was hot chocolate waiting, warmth and bathrooms. I stayed in the museum almost until 11 am and decided to join the masses.

Despite the cold, despite the crowds, despite people being hungry, everyone was still in a joyous mood. I have never seen so many people with so many happy faces and tears of joy. People just simply waited, many, like me, for hours and hours, until the big event. It seemed to take forever for all the VIPs to enter, then emerge from the Capitol to face the crowd. Then, on the JumboTrons, we saw Obama. Screaming and flag waving galore ensued – each and every time they showed Obama as well as Michelle and the kids. All the past Presidents were introduced, some more warmly received, i.e. Clinton, than others. However, when Bush (and Cheney) came out there were boos. I didn’t boo, which I thought was not appropriate, but I didn’t clap either. Obama then spoke and the people listened.


After Obama’s speech I thought I’d get out while the going was good. I decided to take the L’Enfant Metro back instead of taking the ONLY exit back out on 18th Street (I heard that was a nightmare as people were chanting Let us Out). I have never been in a crowd of people that dense for that long of a period. It was scary at times. But everyone was calm and mannerly and we simply trodded along as one. Once on the Metro, it was fine and getting out early was a good idea.
I finished my day having lunch and drinks at a bar on U Street, visiting my neighbor on the way home and watching the remainder of the festivities on television. Each and every time I saw the image of the masses of people on the Mall waving their flags, I got emotional as I was there part of that remarkable day or as the Post said “A Moment That Will Define a Generation”.