I had never questioned traveling to DC until the big day. Yesterday had little effect on my willpower. We left our location at approximately 8:00 am, to travel to the Bethesda YMCA for a shower. However, we ventured into the heart of DC (the opposite direction), which resulted in a delay of one-and-a-half hours. My Representative's office provided me with a window of 10 am to 12 noon to claim my ticket. I arrived at Capitol South Station at 11:58, and officially jumped in line a few minutes after noon. Naturally, in a rush to get into the van as to not delay everyone's shower, I grabbed my clean clothes and neglected to grab my winter coat. So, I was forced to wait in line outside the Longworth House Building in nothing more than jeans and a t-shirt. Thankfully, the temperature was around 40 degrees.
I did, eventually, receive my ticket, which turned out to be our closest ticket to President (my god, it feels wonderful to say that) Obama's Inauguration. We awoke on Inauguration morning at 1:30 am, only to arrive at our near-the-Capitol residence at 5:00. Roads were blocked, routes were improvised, and we arrived at our destination in less than an hour. I hobbled up to my Blue Ticket Line at 5:15 am, only to sit in line for three and a half hours in frigid weather. The first hour was a breeze; I'd toughed out harsher weather before. as time progressed, my hands turned white (even though I had gloves), and I was beginning to worry about frostbite setting in. I stayed put in line from 5:15 am to 8:45 am. We were then allowed into the standing area. My position in line was desireable; I was only 50 feet from the front of the line, when the total length of our line spanned two blocks, if not more.
During the inauguration ceremonies, our standing area dealt was positioned behind a riser for the elderly and disabled, who were instructed to remain seated during the festivities. However, the riser was packed, and some elderly women were forced to sit on the rail at the back of the riser (basically standing up). This dilemma caused people around and behind me to scream at the elderly, asking for them to "PLEASE SIT DOWN". In unison, angry ticketholders chanted for various elderly and disabled to sit down, singling them out in humility. I had never felt so disgusted in such a public setting. These people had the distinct privelege of witnessing what may be the most historic Presidential event in the last century, if not ever. However, this fact did not weigh heavily in their discretion, and continued to berate the eldery. It was a bittersweet and humbling experience, which was thankfully eclipsed by President Obama's charisma. The trip paid off.
Given the opportunity, I would do everything again given the chance. I am truely grateful for my classmates whose hard work allowed me to witness such a/an historic event. It will last forever in my memory as one of the greatest experiences of my life.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Hello All,
Our biggest surprise of our trip is that ALL 18 Minnesota State University Moorhead received tickets to the Inauguration!! We received an additional ticket from a fellow Fargo man who stayed with us at the Churches, and 4 from a Michigan Senator Carl Levin, 4 from North Dakota Representative Earl Pomeroy, and 7 from North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan. Big Thanks for allowing all of us from MSUM to witness this historical event which we will never forget!
It is 5:30 pm on the day of the Inauguration. Our day started out bright and early at 1:30 am to start packing the MSUM vans to head towards the Capitol for the big day. We arrived at our Tuesday night overnight stay located at the Presbyterian Church on Capitol Hill located only 4 blocks from the Capitol Building itself! Surprisingly, the drive from St. Paul's Lutheran Church in the suburb of Chevy Chase to the Presbyterian Church took less than an hour! Of course, we credit our departure at 3 am for the fast traffic.
At 4:30 am we made our way to stay in line to enter our ticketed area. It was a cold and dark wait. The lines had already formed and people were tired and antsy. My biggest problem was having to go to the bathroom! There were no porter potties or restrooms for those waiting in line! Just before 8am, we finally made it to the gate and security check points. Officers were telling people to head to the check points located at the far end because there were no lines. And it was true, I ran up to a check point and there was no one there and I went through with breeze.
Heath Butrum, Travis Loker, and I had been separated from everyone else so we made our own way to the front. In the end, we made it all the way to the center edge of the Reflecting Pool that is located in front of the Capitol Building. It was an amazing view!
Although it was cold and tiring, I wouldn't trade it for the world! The feeling that we all shared when we heard President Barack being sworn into office was a moment suspended in time. Even with millions of people at the event, all was silent to hear this great man speak. The times to come shall be hard, but we shall overcome.
Our biggest surprise of our trip is that ALL 18 Minnesota State University Moorhead received tickets to the Inauguration!! We received an additional ticket from a fellow Fargo man who stayed with us at the Churches, and 4 from a Michigan Senator Carl Levin, 4 from North Dakota Representative Earl Pomeroy, and 7 from North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan. Big Thanks for allowing all of us from MSUM to witness this historical event which we will never forget!
It is 5:30 pm on the day of the Inauguration. Our day started out bright and early at 1:30 am to start packing the MSUM vans to head towards the Capitol for the big day. We arrived at our Tuesday night overnight stay located at the Presbyterian Church on Capitol Hill located only 4 blocks from the Capitol Building itself! Surprisingly, the drive from St. Paul's Lutheran Church in the suburb of Chevy Chase to the Presbyterian Church took less than an hour! Of course, we credit our departure at 3 am for the fast traffic.
At 4:30 am we made our way to stay in line to enter our ticketed area. It was a cold and dark wait. The lines had already formed and people were tired and antsy. My biggest problem was having to go to the bathroom! There were no porter potties or restrooms for those waiting in line! Just before 8am, we finally made it to the gate and security check points. Officers were telling people to head to the check points located at the far end because there were no lines. And it was true, I ran up to a check point and there was no one there and I went through with breeze.
Heath Butrum, Travis Loker, and I had been separated from everyone else so we made our own way to the front. In the end, we made it all the way to the center edge of the Reflecting Pool that is located in front of the Capitol Building. It was an amazing view!
Although it was cold and tiring, I wouldn't trade it for the world! The feeling that we all shared when we heard President Barack being sworn into office was a moment suspended in time. Even with millions of people at the event, all was silent to hear this great man speak. The times to come shall be hard, but we shall overcome.
Monday, January 19, 2009
*off to go sight see, will finish this later
Various shots as me and Josh moved up the crowd
The view from our spot by the Washington Monument
there were little shops set up everywhere selling anything obama related they could
Having lunch with the MSUM alumni
The marines Barracks, right by Kate's house.
My first tourist photo!
Seen this wonderful stop sign on the way to the metro our first morning in DC.
Various shots as me and Josh moved up the crowd
The view from our spot by the Washington Monument
there were little shops set up everywhere selling anything obama related they could
Having lunch with the MSUM alumni
The marines Barracks, right by Kate's house.
My first tourist photo!
Seen this wonderful stop sign on the way to the metro our first morning in DC.
DAY 1!!!!
*lots of typos... but its 3 am!!!
(Precursor: there is a big thank you and a great many things I would love to post about the trip here, but I want to sleep and this may take a while!)
Ok, so I know we said we were gonna update this more, but, it's so hard to tear ourselves away from the activities!!! So, anyways, what to write about here.... Well, I could write about who was here at the concert I went to, but seriously, you could get that info anywhere (and probably watch the videos on you-tube). I think I instead, would like to tell you what it was like to be here.
As soon as we got here 4 people left to go stay with friends in the area and the rest of us began to plan out today and what was going to happen. (I think I probably wen to bed around... oh, say, 2 or 3 am.)
I awoke this morning a little late with 3 members already gone off to reserve their seats for the concert. (I honestly haven't talk to any of them yet so who knows how that went, but that comes later anyway.) Ben had and old friend who lived in town and had offered to have us over for brunch and show us around a bit. So the remaining 11 of us headed out, 4 or 5 -was never quite sure of the exact number- with plans to head to the Smithsonian while the rest of us went for brunch with Ben's friend.
The Smithsonian group ended up deciding mid-train that they would instead come with us. So, we showed up with a group of 11 instead of the original estimate of about 6... Randy, Ben's friend, seemed at first a little surprised, but none-the-less happy to see us and welcome us. However, I get the feeling that some people felt they were imposing on us or would have just rather gone sightseeing and everyone left other then me and Ben. So, we, along with Josh and John, two of Randy's friends, were invited to Randy's girlfriend's, Kate's, house for brunch! I was amazed at the kindness that this stranger would show me! But that's just the general feel of today's events. After brunch we said goodbye to John who had to return to New York and couldn't stay for the festivities and made our way to the National Mall to see the concert.
We got there just in time!
It was held at the Lincoln Memorial and we were crossing the street (coming from the other side) to the Washington Monument Just as the National Anthem begun. We found seats on the other side of the Washington Monument at the top of the hill. I nice seat considering we didn't go early. after attempting to get a few shot of the amassed crowds, me and Josh decided to head down into the crowd to see if we could get closer.
This was the part that I will remember for ever. Josh lead the way through the first part. He would break through the crowds by simply putting a had on their shoulder or back and politely asking to pass. Normally, this kind of unexpected touch by a complete stranger in this big of a crowd would startle a person. I expected jeers and leers every time he did it. Yet, he was always greeted with a smile or 'of course' or simple someone moving aside as much as was possible in the compacted throng of people. Some people even joined our little train as everyone just wanted to be near the festivities.
The crowd would be silent as guest speakers took the stage and liven back up as a performer came on to sing. We seemed to ebb and flow with the crowd, moving forward with the music, still and listening with patriotism in heart during the speeches. We ended our progress when we reached the WWII memorial as we were told the security check points had been closed off at the start of the show.
We instead back tracked to the road just prior it. there on the close side of the road, cement barriers were placed and people perched precariously upon them, hopeful of a glimpse of the stage that encouraged America to celebrate as one, to celebrate HOPE. We manged to get a turn on the barrier to take photos and we took them not only of the stage in front, but of endless swarm of fellow Americans behind, content to look at the jumbo-trons or brave climbing a tree.
When I was atop it looking around, if someone had told me there was a million people at that concert, I would not have doubted it. In fact, I later argued it.
Finally, we decided that it was time to return to our friends. we made our way back, snapping random photos along the way. I remember Jack Black, along with someone else I wasn't sure of from my position, coming on as we neared the Washington Monument again, and he ended with the line (not an exact quote), "and if you were to drive across this country and turn on your radio, this is what you would hear:" at which point Garth Brooks came on and played American Pie and Shout. I will always remember that moment as well. People of all colors, and lifestyles could be heard singing along to both songs. At that moment, it truly did feel like we were celebrating not just as a crowd at a concert but as a country facing a bright future.
I returned to my friends where we randomly met up with Heath, Sarah and Amanda almost randomly. We took photos of us with the stage in the background, not so much for memories as we could never forget this, but to try and relay to others what our experience was.
Then President-Elect Obama took the stage. He spoke in his plain and simple way. He spoke of what I had felt earlier, of people of all race, from all states, all religions, gay or straight coming together. I know, that when I return home and have the time I will rewatch today's broadcast and I will find that exact line and it will be the quote that expresses my feelings for the event.
I tell you now, that on Nov. 4th 2008 when he was elected to be the 44th president of this great nation, I ufortunatly missed both Sen. John McCain's concession speach and President-Elect Barack Obama's acceptance speach as I rolled around outside on the ground hugging my friend in jubulent celebration. I later watched these on the internet (more then once), and cried as one great man gracefully admitted defeat and urged some of his more ignorant followers that Obama was a worthy President. And, I cried as another great man calmly accepted his nation's request that he lead them through a dark time with the ever-bright light of hope.
And as I stood there in our nation's capital listening to President-Elect Obama put words to my very thoughts, I was on verge of tears yet again. I remember at the end of the speach, as I stood there with tears of joy that have been there far too few times in my life, Ben crouched down and took a photo of me. Part of me did not want the photo taken. I was a man and not to cry. However, I thought to myself, 'screw it, we are on the precipice of a new age,' and let him shoot away. That photo will be long cherished by me.
-
Reverand Jacob Lee Blackwell
Three minutes after three o'clock A.M.
January the nineteenth of the year two-thousand nine
'A time of celebration'
(Precursor: there is a big thank you and a great many things I would love to post about the trip here, but I want to sleep and this may take a while!)
Ok, so I know we said we were gonna update this more, but, it's so hard to tear ourselves away from the activities!!! So, anyways, what to write about here.... Well, I could write about who was here at the concert I went to, but seriously, you could get that info anywhere (and probably watch the videos on you-tube). I think I instead, would like to tell you what it was like to be here.
As soon as we got here 4 people left to go stay with friends in the area and the rest of us began to plan out today and what was going to happen. (I think I probably wen to bed around... oh, say, 2 or 3 am.)
I awoke this morning a little late with 3 members already gone off to reserve their seats for the concert. (I honestly haven't talk to any of them yet so who knows how that went, but that comes later anyway.) Ben had and old friend who lived in town and had offered to have us over for brunch and show us around a bit. So the remaining 11 of us headed out, 4 or 5 -was never quite sure of the exact number- with plans to head to the Smithsonian while the rest of us went for brunch with Ben's friend.
The Smithsonian group ended up deciding mid-train that they would instead come with us. So, we showed up with a group of 11 instead of the original estimate of about 6... Randy, Ben's friend, seemed at first a little surprised, but none-the-less happy to see us and welcome us. However, I get the feeling that some people felt they were imposing on us or would have just rather gone sightseeing and everyone left other then me and Ben. So, we, along with Josh and John, two of Randy's friends, were invited to Randy's girlfriend's, Kate's, house for brunch! I was amazed at the kindness that this stranger would show me! But that's just the general feel of today's events. After brunch we said goodbye to John who had to return to New York and couldn't stay for the festivities and made our way to the National Mall to see the concert.
We got there just in time!
It was held at the Lincoln Memorial and we were crossing the street (coming from the other side) to the Washington Monument Just as the National Anthem begun. We found seats on the other side of the Washington Monument at the top of the hill. I nice seat considering we didn't go early. after attempting to get a few shot of the amassed crowds, me and Josh decided to head down into the crowd to see if we could get closer.
This was the part that I will remember for ever. Josh lead the way through the first part. He would break through the crowds by simply putting a had on their shoulder or back and politely asking to pass. Normally, this kind of unexpected touch by a complete stranger in this big of a crowd would startle a person. I expected jeers and leers every time he did it. Yet, he was always greeted with a smile or 'of course' or simple someone moving aside as much as was possible in the compacted throng of people. Some people even joined our little train as everyone just wanted to be near the festivities.
The crowd would be silent as guest speakers took the stage and liven back up as a performer came on to sing. We seemed to ebb and flow with the crowd, moving forward with the music, still and listening with patriotism in heart during the speeches. We ended our progress when we reached the WWII memorial as we were told the security check points had been closed off at the start of the show.
We instead back tracked to the road just prior it. there on the close side of the road, cement barriers were placed and people perched precariously upon them, hopeful of a glimpse of the stage that encouraged America to celebrate as one, to celebrate HOPE. We manged to get a turn on the barrier to take photos and we took them not only of the stage in front, but of endless swarm of fellow Americans behind, content to look at the jumbo-trons or brave climbing a tree.
When I was atop it looking around, if someone had told me there was a million people at that concert, I would not have doubted it. In fact, I later argued it.
Finally, we decided that it was time to return to our friends. we made our way back, snapping random photos along the way. I remember Jack Black, along with someone else I wasn't sure of from my position, coming on as we neared the Washington Monument again, and he ended with the line (not an exact quote), "and if you were to drive across this country and turn on your radio, this is what you would hear:" at which point Garth Brooks came on and played American Pie and Shout. I will always remember that moment as well. People of all colors, and lifestyles could be heard singing along to both songs. At that moment, it truly did feel like we were celebrating not just as a crowd at a concert but as a country facing a bright future.
I returned to my friends where we randomly met up with Heath, Sarah and Amanda almost randomly. We took photos of us with the stage in the background, not so much for memories as we could never forget this, but to try and relay to others what our experience was.
Then President-Elect Obama took the stage. He spoke in his plain and simple way. He spoke of what I had felt earlier, of people of all race, from all states, all religions, gay or straight coming together. I know, that when I return home and have the time I will rewatch today's broadcast and I will find that exact line and it will be the quote that expresses my feelings for the event.
I tell you now, that on Nov. 4th 2008 when he was elected to be the 44th president of this great nation, I ufortunatly missed both Sen. John McCain's concession speach and President-Elect Barack Obama's acceptance speach as I rolled around outside on the ground hugging my friend in jubulent celebration. I later watched these on the internet (more then once), and cried as one great man gracefully admitted defeat and urged some of his more ignorant followers that Obama was a worthy President. And, I cried as another great man calmly accepted his nation's request that he lead them through a dark time with the ever-bright light of hope.
And as I stood there in our nation's capital listening to President-Elect Obama put words to my very thoughts, I was on verge of tears yet again. I remember at the end of the speach, as I stood there with tears of joy that have been there far too few times in my life, Ben crouched down and took a photo of me. Part of me did not want the photo taken. I was a man and not to cry. However, I thought to myself, 'screw it, we are on the precipice of a new age,' and let him shoot away. That photo will be long cherished by me.
-
Reverand Jacob Lee Blackwell
Three minutes after three o'clock A.M.
January the nineteenth of the year two-thousand nine
'A time of celebration'
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Finally Here!
Quote of the day:
"We have an Obama dollar bill... People are paying $10 for a $1 bill. He's already good for the economy."
Well, we finally made it to DC today. We've been in D.C. for about two hours now, and I must say this church is more accommodating than expected. TONS of room, and a shag carpet in the sanctuary! We're looking forward to tomorrow; some of us are on the fence as to whether we want to site-see or attend the big Inauguration concert at 2:30. The fact we're only a couple blocks from the metro certainly doesn't hurt our options. We'll have to see how that goes. Fun times will be had by most, if not all. We'll keep you posted on how Sunday pans out for us. Expect plenty of photos and blog entries tomorrow night!
Yours in Inaugurality,
--Julian
"We have an Obama dollar bill... People are paying $10 for a $1 bill. He's already good for the economy."
--Jim Warlick, Owner of Memorabilia Store Political Americana
Yours in Inaugurality,
--Julian
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