Highlights from the Swearing-In Ceremony

After a largely traffic-free bus ride, we rode the Metro Green Line in to the Capitol from the Greenbelt station. Exiting the L'Enfant Plaza station was not for the faint of heart! We were walking shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of thousands of people wishing to see the beginning of a new era with the swearing-in of Barack Obama. We were able to gain access to one of the general admission ticketed areas and were preparing for a long day in the cold. Just before 10 am, the exuberance of the spectators spilled over literally, as one of the barriers fell, allowing observers to move up around and in front of the Reflecting Pool, which is merely across the street from the Capitol! The view at this point was spectacular! Obama's inaugural address began just after noon and millions listened intently.

After the speech, we walked right up to the steps of the Capitol and exchanged greetings with former Secretary of State Colin Powell. From there, we went to the Longfellow Building where we participated in a small, yet festive, reception hosted by U.S. Rep. Tim Holden (D-PA). From there, we visited the offices of Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-MA). Rep. Holden was kind enough to answer questions and Rep. Tsongas was kind enough to chat and pose for a group photo.

Special thanks go out to Warren Trent, a producer for Action News on 6-ABC and his cameraman, Mike. They followed us throughout the today and footage will be featured this Saturday at 7:30 pm on Visions.

We are currently at our hotel in Gaithersburg, Md. getting ready to attend one of the many inaugural balls. Gentlemen are in tuxes or suits while ladies are wearing evening gowns.

-David Kremer (268)