History Up Close: One year since Obama assumed historic presidency

Editors note: On Jan. 20, 2009, Barack Obama took the oath of office on the same bible his political hero, Abraham Lincoln, used for his own swearing in. Instead of doing another story highlighting the successes and failures of the Obama administration over the past year. I thought it would be more fun to post a first hand account of my own experience at the historic inauguration last year. This piece originally appeared in Saratoga TODAY Newspaper and an abridged version also appeared in The Prescription's "A New Hope" issue.

Washington D.C. - The streets of our nation's Capital are jam-packed with a vast array of men, women and children of all races, creeds and backgrounds as the dawn of a new era in American history is about to be ushered in with the swearing-in of the nation's first African-American president, Barack Obama, as I arrive in downtown Washington D.C. Tuesday morning.

Just a few hours prior, my friend Mark and I had sat patiently aboard a Wade Tours bus awaiting our arrival at RFK Stadium. Nearly two hours later we had arrived in the heart of our nations Capital via shuttle bus - joining the long sprawling lines of people who walked through the streets as if they were there on a mission from God.

Vendors selling an array of merchandise from shirts to handbags to dog collars all donning Barack Obama's name and/or face are being sold on every street corner. The man who started out as a virtual unknown to the American people a little more than a year ago has now risen to rock star status as people swarm each vendor buying up merchandise as if it were going out of style.

After more than a mile walk through the record-breaking crowds my friend and I somehow make it into the National Mall via a barrier we are able to force our way over. Getting into the Mall is just short of a miracle as it is nearly impossible to maneuver our way around the porta-potties that are covered with supporters trying to get the best vantage point possible. With little choice we find ourselves herded like cattle into a spot a few hundred yards to the right of the Washington Monument just as the booming voice of Charlie Brotman - the announcer of every inauguration since 1957 - comes echoing throughout the 1.2 mile long corridor.

The sea of people that stand before us is overwhelming as I am knocked around like a pinball in a machine. Movement is limited as the notion of unity and togetherness begins to take on a whole new meaning.

The energy from the people courses throughout the Mall like electricity through water as the commotion of the crowd of approximately two million people scream, talk and chant as the living presidents are introduced on stage. Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton receive exceptionally grand ovations, but the announcement of both George Bush Sr. and Jr. is a totally different story. Just the mention of their names causes the crowd to erupt in an angry frenzy of "boos" - President Bush rightfully taking the brunt of the exchange as the crowd enters into an animated chant of "Na na na na na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye!"
The song sparks one child in back of me to ask his mother, "Are they being serious?" to which she replies "unfortunately, yes."

Our reaction, however, is something that only the millions in attendance witness as a man standing by us announces that the major news stations failed to air the crowd's reaction on television.

While the crowd enjoys the opportunity to heckle the Bush's, it is President-elect Obama for whom the multi-generational crowd has gathered in Washington to support and honor on the day.

Although it is impossible for most of us standing at the back of the monument to view one of the many jumbo television screens located along the perimeter of the Mall - the voices of those speaking on the steps of the Capitol can for the most part be heard clearly echoing through the crowd. As nice as it would be to see as well as hear, it is not Obama's face that drew more than 60 million Americans to vote for him or millions of others to trek from sea to shining sea to see him take the oath of office but rather his message and inspiration of a better more prosperous America.

As it is hard to hear over some inconsiderate people who insist on talking - though they are scorned by others around us - for the most part people are focused on each inspirational, hopeful word as they eloquently roll off the new President's tongue during his inaugural address.  

"We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America," Obama proclaims. 

As people of all different races stood by listening to Obama call upon the American people for a greater good, it is hard for some - especially the African Americans present - to hold back the overwhelming emotions of centuries of oppression. For at first it was hard for me to understand why so many parents had brought their children to such an overwhelming, potentially dangerous event, but I now realize it was the promise that their children could now realistically dream that they too could one day stand before the American people as the country's commander-in-chief that made them take the chance of bringing their children along. In many ways it was the reason that future generations of all races of children were present to witness the moment because whether you agree with him or not, Obama's rise to power truly proves that anything is possible in America. In his speech, Obama too acknowledged this notion and the historic nature of his nomination to America's highest office.

"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath," Obama remarks.

The inspiration and hope that Obama has brought to the American people can be seen glistening in the eyes of the people as he finishes his address and the crowd turns to peacefully exit the Mall. Unlike our entrance, our exit is less chaotic as people help each other pass through the dense crowd. People remark about the kindness of others as a group of people stop to allow an older couple or a mother with two small children to pass by.

Although chaotic and potentially dangerous due to the enormity of the crowd, at no point was there anything other than peace and kindness emulating from those in attendance.

As we make our way through the buzzing streets and back to the shuttle buses, I see the presidential helicopter fly low overhead to give Bush one last chance to wave goodbye. As the plane trails off over the horizon, I observe that most people in the streets hardly even took the time to look up let alone wave at the low flying plane - a symbol, at least to me, that people were ready to put the last eight years behind them and look to the future.

My arrival back at the bus close to two hours later marks the end of the historic day. As I sit there waiting for the buses' departure from the parking lot through the two-hour-long line, I overhear a woman in the back speaking on the phone. Her words sum up the whole historical experience.

"I have never seen so much love for one person in my life," the woman says. "It was everything I imagined and more...you just had to be there."