I am still at a lost for words. This was the most remarkable experience of my life.
I remember Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 8:01 pm, when newscaster Charley Gibson announced, "The president-elect of the United States is Barack Hussein Obama". I just sat there in my stuffed chair and ottoman and said, "wow" very softly. I was thinking that we, americans had finally expressed the need for intelligence, and honesty in those that lead our country.
As weeks went by I thought about how great it would be to be there the moment this amazing man takes the oath of the most powerful man in the United States. I felt that I would not have this opportunity as my financial situation would not even warrant a drive cross country. My car has over 2223000 miles with only one low beam working. See I have an online high school that was launched in May of 2008. My partners and I had to use our own money has we had very little time to plan the financial support for our project. I was one many staff and faculty members that were cut from employment by the company owners in April 2008. So I thought this was a dream not to be fulfilled.
Well, as another colleague and I were webcasting his weekly USA Iron Will Radio Show, he mentioned how neat it would be to be at the inaguration. This was on January 9, 2008. So I said to my colleague "My cousin lives there so I have a place to stay, but because of my situation I can't go." He asked me "Why", I said "I can't afford the flight." He said "Who says you have to fly?. We can drive." So---- I called my cousin - she said we could stay. and on January 16, 2009 3 of us climbed into a car and left for Washington, D.C.
With 14 below zero weather we left Minneapolis, MN and headed east. We drove all night only stopping for restroom breaks, food and a 45 minute nap. At 12:30pm we arrive on the Northeast side of Washington, D.C. Each day we went to the Capitol Mall and viewed the erection of the podium, bleachers and very large viewing monitors. We interviewed others who had come from all corners of the world. There were students from Brazil, Mexico, Italy, Hollywood Florida, and Los Angeles California. They all wanted to witness the moment that the citizens of the United States of America would see our Constitution fill it promise "All men are created equal".
On Tuesday morning my colleagues and I took the subway into downtown D.C. Even the Metro tickets have the image of this man on it face. (A souvenir forever to be kept.)Thousands upon thousands followed the winding direction of the bus-locked streets of Washington, D.C. to arrive at the Mall. Sections of the Mall were blocked in strips in which the spectators quickly filled in. My colleagues and I ended up about 100 yards below the Washington Monument, which (again) had the FBI surveying the view in order to keep us all safe from harm.
At 11:30am the ceremonial march of American dignataries began. The first time a shot of former President George Walker Bush appeared the sea a people went silent. And when his name was announced a great number a people "boo"ed him. The second time his name was mentioned the "boo"s got louder.
