Inauguration Day: Yes We Can

We arose at 5:00 am to prepare for our journey to Capitol Hill to witness history. Our car arrived to pick up us and he was able to get us within few blocks of the Capitol. As we walked toward the Capitol we could see the throngs of people walking with us, as well as those that had already lined up. We were part of the elite group that had received tickets from our congressperson to view the Inauguration. With our purple tickets in hand, we found the entrance for the purple line. Again there was a massive crowd of people that began to swell by the moment. Very soon we were immersed in a sea of people from throughout the United States. As the time ticked away, there was no movement. A man standing next to me had served at Maxwell AFB and was currently assigned to the Pentagon. He said that he had been in line since 5:00 am and had only moved 200 feet . It was approaching 10:30 am and I grew concerned that we would be in the crowds, but unable to view the Inauguration because of the lack of movement. So at 11:00 am we left the crowd, and hailed a cab to Connecticut and L to attend the viewing party at the offices of Bradley Arant, an Alabama based law firm.
While there, we were joined by the bus riders from Montgomery. I knew then that we had made the right choice to leave. This way we were sharing our experience with our neighborhoods and friends. I began to shed tears upon seeing the introduction of the previous presidents. Bracing for the actual transition of power to Barack Obama, I could see tears fall from the eyes of others that were in the room. I thought of our historic strides. I thought of my daughters future. I also thought about the people in Lowndes County t hat still have raw sewage running on top of the ground. As Barack Obama became our 44th President, applause broke out. And the roar across the mall was phenomenal. Never have there been such an interest in an inauguration. And never has a President had to shoulder such massive responsibilities. But as those flags were waving on the mall, and in the offices of Bradley Arant, I think we all believed, yes we can.