“On this day we gather because we have chosen hope, not fear.” – The Inauguration of Barack Obama

I’m feeling less vivacious today. It’s the Inauguration of Barack Obama, our 44th president, into office and I’m sitting at home watching it on the tele. I know many people won’t even be able to see Barack in person but its the mere act of going and one’s attendance that makes it all worthwhile. The sense of energy and pride must be overwhelming. As the presidental state car progresses down Pennsylvania Avenue officials follow with a chain of salutes. Over 100 black Cadillac limousines and patrol cars follow flashing red and blue beams. There are about 8,000 police officers protecting today, 1,000 more since the Bush Inaugural, fitting seeing as the citizen attendance has exceeded expectations.

For the Inaugural ceremony the White House is decked out with long lavish American flags with a blue and red covered stairway. Many walked along this stairway including the supreme court, Jimmy Carter and his wife, Bill and Hilary Clinton, 43rd post president George W. Bush and wife,  Joe and Jill Biden, Barack Obama and family and thensome. During the ceremony we were treated with musical stylings of Aretha Franklin who sang ‘My Country Tis of Thee’ and the genius of composer John Williams with his new piece titled ‘Song for the occasion air and simple things’. Joe Biden and Barack Obama took their oaths on Abraham Lincoln’s bible and then Obama delivered a cogent speech over a hushed crowd.

My emotions are mixed. Sorrowful that I partially missed out on a piece of history and yet immensely proud and uplifted in our country and in our 44th president, Barack Obama.

Tags: 2009, 44th, Barack Obama, Inaugural Ceremony, Inauguration, news, politics, president