Barack Obama Inauguration

President Barack Obama Inauguration

January 20, 2009

On Tuesday, January 20, 2009 I went to Washington, DC along with several million others to experience the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Rather than telling the same story as the TV and newspapers, here I will show you what the day looked like to me (and my camera). This was a day of celebration, frustration, reflection, loss, and perhaps ..... a prelude to a new period of discovery for America.

Those buttons and shirts come in boxes and there are lots of boxes!

They were expecting about 10,000 buses and they were everywhere.

People tried to get the trash mostly near the proper places.

And there were lots of nice places to go....

I arrived about 11:15 AM. This house had a sign that said it was "under contract" and about the change hands....

The clock on the old Post Office says 11:25 AM. A lot can happen in 50 minutes ......

I suspect a million people were in the 1.2 miles between the Washington Monument and the Capitol - location of the swearing in of the new President of the United States.

During the ceremony the phones and cameras were out and in use. In fact, there were so many cell phones that service was not available at times because the system was apparently overwhelmed.

I was too far away to see the details even with a telephoto lens. But the ceremony took place out on the back porch here.

After the oath of office we heard from the new President.

The clock says 12:25 AM

The new residents have taken possession ...

At last ......a moment of reflection shared by many

And now it is time to head home - all 2 million people at the same time!!

Speaking of heading home...the former President Bush takes a helicopter spin from the Capitol out over the huge crowd and past the Pentagon .....just to say good-bye.

The helicopter makes another farewell pass and then out to Andrews Air Force base where Special Flight 28000 is waiting to go to Texas. The designation "Air Force One" is only used by the current President even though it is the same plane.

Meanwhile the bands are warming up in the 27 degree F cold. The parade is supposed to start in just two hours - but it did not actually begin until almost 4 hours later.

Some last minute buttons would be nice. Lots of eager vendors are out there.

I decided I would rather go see the Monuments, especially the Lincoln Memorial, rather than compete with the crowds for a coveted seat on the Metro Rail. Only a few smart people were actually there.

The view of the reflecting pool from the Lincoln Memorial looking east. This was the view that Mr. Obama had on Sunday - except that brown grass on the sides was covered by 500, 000 people all the way to the Washington Monument a mile away (that is where I was on Sunday)

Inside I found the marble statue of Abraham Lincoln just watching and waiting and wondering - like the rest of us.....

Next to the Lincoln Memorial is the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. Many thousands of people bypass the memorial on the long walk across the bridge to Virginia (no cars or taxis allowed today).

The wall is among the trees to the left and below the flag.

Only a few people were here. They were remembering those who gave their precious lives during another unpopular conflict...so that the rest of us could still have hope that things may improve.

While the parade is forming a few miles, this young man is capturing a loved and remembered name by imprinting onto a piece of paper.

More than 50,000 names are remembered on this wall.

And then I went home quietly to face another day.

I give thanks for our country.

I will continue to celebrate - remember - reflect - hope and pray.

See my photos of the celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on January 18

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