The inauguration experience
Jenny Anzelmo
Issue date: 1/21/09 Section: National
Throngs of people from all over the country flooded the nation's front lawn Tuesday morning for the inauguration of our 44th President, and I was one of them. Despite below freezing temperatures, smiles worn by those in the crowd displayed the overwhelming enthusiasm and energy that was felt across our country and the world.
Spectators fortunate enough to have a ticket for the event still struggled to view the ceremony, trying to dodge camera's, hats, children posted on parents' shoulders and the people in front of them on the uphill slope leading to the west side of the U.S. Capitol where the ceremony took place.
Attending the event required some bravery and determination. At approximately 8:30 a.m., well before the ceremony began, a man passed out right in front of me from what family members said was a diabetic attack. Another woman was trampled when spectators with standing tickets tore down a fence and stormed the Capitol Reflecting Pool. She was carried out on a gurney and transported to a local hospital.
At approximately 11 a.m., house members, senators, governors, cabinet members and other dignitaries and VIPs made their way to the inaugural platform with cheers and jeers from the audience. While Obama received a booming applause, former President George W. Bush was greeted with boos and chants of "Na na na na, hey hey, goodbye." President Jimmy Carter was also welcomed with enthusiastic cheers.
Obama's speech, which he spent two months tweaking and perfecting, was well received. Crowd members could be heard emphatically saying "um-hm," "that's right" and "amen" throughout the speech. One man exclaimed "I already feel better," in reference to Obama as our nation's commander.
The address was both sobering and inspiring. Obama made it clear that our nation faces many challenges that cannot be solved solely by government, but with the help of its citizens.
"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America," Obama said and was followed with a loud roar from the audience.
Spectators fortunate enough to have a ticket for the event still struggled to view the ceremony, trying to dodge camera's, hats, children posted on parents' shoulders and the people in front of them on the uphill slope leading to the west side of the U.S. Capitol where the ceremony took place.
Attending the event required some bravery and determination. At approximately 8:30 a.m., well before the ceremony began, a man passed out right in front of me from what family members said was a diabetic attack. Another woman was trampled when spectators with standing tickets tore down a fence and stormed the Capitol Reflecting Pool. She was carried out on a gurney and transported to a local hospital.
At approximately 11 a.m., house members, senators, governors, cabinet members and other dignitaries and VIPs made their way to the inaugural platform with cheers and jeers from the audience. While Obama received a booming applause, former President George W. Bush was greeted with boos and chants of "Na na na na, hey hey, goodbye." President Jimmy Carter was also welcomed with enthusiastic cheers.
Obama's speech, which he spent two months tweaking and perfecting, was well received. Crowd members could be heard emphatically saying "um-hm," "that's right" and "amen" throughout the speech. One man exclaimed "I already feel better," in reference to Obama as our nation's commander.
The address was both sobering and inspiring. Obama made it clear that our nation faces many challenges that cannot be solved solely by government, but with the help of its citizens.
"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America," Obama said and was followed with a loud roar from the audience.