I had
a dream……and it came true. I dreamed of being there when
President Barack Obama was inaugurated.
Early last Monday morning, I shoveled my driveway for the second
time in twelve hours, and my wife and I flew to the
Baltimore-Washington International airport to photograph and
videotape the Inaugural festivities. I didn’t know exactly what
to expect, since it was my first Inauguration. I just knew that,
as a Democrat, I was REALLY looking forward to the change of
leadership.
My Congresswoman, Carol Shea-Porter, provided us with tickets to
the Inauguration. Her office had made me aware that I could
apply for a press pass to improve my vantage point for recording
the event. The SV Sun, the Seacoast Media Group, and Exeter
Cable TV had all sent letterhead indicating that I would be
bringing them back some images or film footage. I hoped to be
accepted and excitedly looked forward to a special vantage point
for the ceremonies.
We had to get our tickets from our Congressperson’s office
before 5 PM on Monday. We arrived at the Longworth House Office
Building at about 1:30, facing extremely long lines of fellow
citizens seeking their tickets. And, these lines surrounded all
the house office buildings. In line with us was Chichester State
Representative Sally Kelly. Sally shared how her daughter was
helping coordinate celebrity transportation and event
participation for Tuesday. We got our tickets and left.
What
I remember most about the day?
· The endless walking to actually get into the event, in spite
of having a press pass. I estimate that I walked at least two
miles with my equipment, being transferred from entry point to
entry point.
· The
great mood of the throngs of people in the Metro and on the Mall
as they also suffered many setbacks. Some of our own state
politicians with tickets failed to gain entrance
· Despite the bone-chilling cold, people in wheelchairs and on
crutches came. Old men and women who could barely walk came and
stood for hours in line for just the chance to see our new
President take the oath of office.
· The courtesy of fellow citizens who gave me space in a great
vantage point to setup my tripod and videotape/photograph the
event
· The amazing political knowledge and acumen of both of our
Pakistani cab drivers. Either Pakistan exports their best and
brightest to the US to become cab drivers…or they devour the
details of our democratic society
I count myself extremely privileged to have been one of the 1.5
million world citizens who got to see Vice-President Biden and
President Obama take their oaths of office in person. Here’s
hoping they more than live up to them.
Herb Moyer – Exeter
PMHS Instructor