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Millions pack inauguration ceremony
CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY
Times C E DA R FA L L S
cedarfallstimes.com
Times C E DA R FA L L S
cedarfallstimes.com
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2009 – A8 SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2009 – A9
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To battle the cold, some hugged, others piled on
Above, an excited spectator catches sight of the top of one another to create a collective bio-heater,
crowd as a friend lifts her on her shoulders. and still others stoically endured the numbing
morning alone. About 630 students from Lead
At left, about 2 million lucky visitors made it to America, a group dedicated to promoting leader-
the mall. Many more were stranded in tunnels, ship, from around the country, came to the Mall to
passageways and streets with only a view of the witness the transfer of power in the nation's top
backs of each other's heads. office.
CONTINUED FROM A1 To battle the cold, some officers, only to be crushed Washington’s FedEx Field dent in Iraq at which a picked something that the The crowd beamed Right, a member of Lead America takes a refresh-
hugged, others piled on by the response of shrug- stadium. journalist hurled his shoes people could easily sing back. It was not about ingly chilly nap on the National Mall as the world
At Metro stations and top of one another to cre- ging shoulders. With juggler-like dex- at George Bush. The along with, a woman him, Obama had told them waits for the swearing-in ceremony.
elsewhere on the Mall, ate a collective bio-heater, A man and his wife terity, some photographers accompanying message remarked to her husband, many a time; it was about Below, FBI spotters scan the crowd at the "We Are
volunteers shepherded and still others stoically from Seneca, N.Y., climbed atop portable toi- read, “Bush, get da hell summing up the feelings them. And they had One" concert in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, Jan.
crowds through check endured the numbing implored a gatekeeper to lets, struggling to keep outta here.” of her neighbors. believed him. Now the 18, looking for potential trouble and suspicious
points with patience and morning alone. Lines at help them find their seats their telephoto lenses and In the early morning As the ceremony got moment was theirs to rel- activity.
spunk. makeshift refreshment sta- in the purple zone near the their bodies in equilibri- hours, scoreboard-size underway with opening ish.
Above, hun- “Good morning! tions underneath tents Capitol. Tears welled up in um. screens replayed the per- remarks from Sen. Dianne Chief Justice John started to disperse as poet
dreds of thou- Welcome to Washington,” stretched hours long. the man's eyes, but noth- The more adventurous formances from “We Are Feinstein, Ruby Deveraux, Roberts administered the Elizabeth Alexander read
sands of people they chirped as the crowds Security was as tight as ing worked. spectators hoisted their One,” the star-studded 82, from Tyler, Texas, oath of office. The justice to the shrinking crowd.
began streaming streamed through gates in the crowded viewing His story was hardly gear on the edge of waste inaugural concert that took shivered underneath an and the president both The thunder of helicopter
onto the the dark and cold. areas. The National Guard, unique. In the confusion containers, which had place on the steps of the Obama blanket that cov- stumbled over the words blades churning the air
National Mall in Their words were as Washington police offi- of the moment and with become Noah’s Arks of Lincoln Memorial at the ered her up to her chin. of the oath, eliciting a behind the Capitol tempo-
the early dawn warming as blood-pump- cers, Secret Service the constantly changing sorts. They kindly obliged other end of the Mall on She smiled wide as daugh- good-natured laugh in the rarily stopped the exodus.
of Jan. 20. ing jolts of java and sooth- agents, mounted police, schedule of street clos- when their less fortunate Sunday. ter JoAnn Mills, of audience. On the jumbotrons, flash-
At right, a spec- ing as a bite of chocolate fire fighters and countless ings, many others, includ- brethren begged them to U2, Bruce Springsteen Houston, pushed her into “Today I say to you the ing images of Barack
tator at the on a blistery day. other agencies guarded the ing credentialed journal- please snap a picture or and Beyonce offered much the sun. The retired truant challenges we face are Obama walking George
inauguration Wrapped in blankets Mall, restricting access ists, were stranded in plac- two on their behalf from needed relief from the officer smiled even wider real,” Obama said. “They Bush to Marine One, the
proudly holds and sleeping bags, swathed one quadrant at a time. es they never intended to their prominent positions. boredom of waiting for when CNN host D.L. are serious and they are commander-in-chief ’s
the Tuesday in jackets and scarves, Helicopters circled end- be. As the day dawned hours in the frigid air. The Hughley popped up right many. They will not be helicopter, made it all real.
m o r n i n g their faces all hidden but lessly and on top of build- But they all made the some unfurled handmade rhythm of early morning in front of her to chat. She met easily or in a short Amid swirling dust
Wa s h i n g t o n for the eyes, some early ings spotters in pairs with most of it. One man posters. Most proclaimed popular music was better didn’t think she would live span of time. But, note storms, the helicopter
Post with a arrivals kept walking or binoculars and telescopes climbed a tree as early as 6 love for Obama. suited for the crowd than to see a day like this, this, America – they will soared over the Mall, fol-
headline pro- doing jumping jacks to watched the crowd like a.m. and remained there But one, right in front some of the classical inau- Deveraux told the popular be met.” lowed by cheers, waves
claiming Barack keep the blood flowing. hawks. throughout the day’s of the MSNBC studio, gural pieces which set the comedian. But like the rest His words riveted and some rude gestures
O b a m a ' s Others put cardboard mats “How can I get to my events, relishing his showed a drawing of a stage for Obama’s inaugu- of the crowd, she was everyone’s attention. In before it disappeared.
impending inau- on the frozen ground to location?” many ticket Spartan perch more than shoe, making an oblique ral address. absorbing the moment language more befitting a The transition of power
guration. stake their spots. holders asked uniformed the plushest box seat at reference to a recent inci- They should have with every sense. Mother State of the Union address between the 43rd and the
and daughter had traveled than an inauguration 44th president was final.
22 hours to be a part of speech, Obama spelled out
this day. the country’s direction –
“Happy inauguration transformation through
day,” Hughley said, lean- unity, accountability and
ing over her shoulder with dedication.
his microphone as the “Our challenges may
news crew kept the tape be new,” he said. “But
rolling. “We’re hoping for those values upon which
a big day in America,” our success depends –
daughter Mills said, and hard work and honesty,
all burst out laughing. courage and fair play, tol-
Dr. Rick Warren gave erance and curiosity, loy-
the invocation, and the alty and patriotism – these
Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery things are old. What is
delivered a benediction. required of us now is a
The United States Navy new era of responsibility
Band Sea Chanters per- – a recognition, on the part
formed the national of every American, that
anthem. we have duties to our-
Then, at long last, selves, our nation and the
Obama stepped forward. world, duties we do not
Two million voices, grudgingly accept but
many of them silenced for rather seize gladly, firm in
One man, above, climbed up a tree as early as 6 a.m. and centuries, roared as histo- the knowledge that there is
remained there throughout the day's events, relishing his ry was about to happen. nothing so satisfying to
Spartan perch more than the plushest box seat at At 4 a.m. on Tuesday, people walk over a congratulatory sign at the Metro sta- The president-elect the spirit, so defining of
Washington's FedEx Field stadium. tion, above, as they hurry to get to the National Mall. raised his right hand as his our character than giving
At right, opponents of outgoing President Bush display a At right, traveling to the inauguration was an opportunity for Anelia K. wife, Michelle, held the our all to a difficult task.”
sign in front of the MSNBC studio on the National Mall Dimitrova to renew family relationships with her cousin, Betelina, whom she red, leather-bound Lincoln As soon as Obama fin-
that reads "Bush, get da hell out." hadn't seen since 1996. Bible and smiled. ished speaking, the crowd
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