Several locals attended Barack Obama’s inauguration on Tuesday, Jan. 20 in Washington, DC. We asked some of them to share their experiences of this historic moment in U.S. history.

The Sutton/Long family

Early on Sunday, Jan. 18 we – Chris Sutton, Kate Long and our six-year old daughter Arla Sutton – left our home in Olga and headed to Washington, DC to attend the inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama.

A big thanks goes to Grandpa Ed and Grandma Carol Sutton for taking our three-year-old Sam on an extended sleep-over while we were away!

Two tickets for the “grey section” of seating up front were reserved in our name, but not knowing exactly what to expect when we arrived, we decided to be flexible. On the Metro into Union Station one passenger was spontaneously interviewing her seat-mate with her video camera, obviously excited about the events ahead. People were talking to each other asking where they were from and what their plans were for the next day.

Tuesday morning we made our way to the National Mall; people were flooding the streets, all streaming to the same place. By looking at the crowds the previous day we had already decided not to split up and forwent our ticketed area closer to the Capitol. By 9:30 a.m. we had selected a spot just in front of the Washington Monument where we could see two jumbotrons as well as the Capitol in the distance. We chatted with those around us in anticipation of the ceremony. The couple to our right had driven from San Diego; another family was visiting from Maine; the group to our left had arrived on a charter bus from Georgia.

Despite the cold, everyone was full of good cheer and optimistic anticipation. There was great applause when we started to see activity on the Capitol, and by the time Michele Obama appeared the crowd was elated. And when Barack Obama emerged the crowd went wild.

I felt proud and relieved to listen to Obama’s address. It was truthful and powerful, and I felt he was talking to me – something I have not felt from any other President. Our family went to DC to witness a beginning of many changes to come. I felt so satisfied to be there, and to have the opportunity to bring our six-year-old to experience it too.

When we returned to Orcas after a very long day of travel, Arla said of the trip, “I was so excited and happy to be in Washington, D.C. I have never been with so many other people who were excited and happy too.”

Randy Gaylord

Most witnesses to history learn the significance of the event years later.

That was not the case for over a million people who showed up on a crisp, cold day in January and stood outside for hours to watch the inauguration of the first African American President of the United States.

I left for the inauguration believing that it was an historic event because of the change in policies that Barack Obama was about to embark upon, and that the United States would re-position itself as a world leader. But what made this inauguration special for so many people is the fact

that this leader is African American.

My daughter Genevieve and I flew to Philadelphia, and then to Washington, DC by train, following the same route taken by the President-elect and his family on Jan. 17. At the inaugural activities we met many parents with their children, including Lopez Islander Jamie Stephens and his

daughter Jessica, and the sister of Market Chef (on San Juan Island) owner Lori Paul and her son Colin.

The invocation was well received and less controversial than I had expected. Jamie later remarked on how the witnesses were so quiet that you could hear a pin drop during the invocation, swearing in, and inaugural address.

Genevieve and I were impressed by the positive atmosphere. We didn’t hear the oath snafu by Judge Roberts, as his voice did not project well, and as soon as the oath was complete canons erupted and people smiled, danced and cried.

We stayed on the south lawn of the Capitol until Mr. and Mrs. Bush departed in their helicopter, and then we walked for two and a half hours and stopped to rest in a hotel lobby. We watched the start of the parade on CNN, and then we ran to the parade route to catch a glimpse of the President and First Lady waving to the crowd.