Inauguration Journal: Day 1

Obama’s election night rally in Chicago’s Grant Park. (Photo by gingerbydesign)

Like more than a few Chicagoans, today, I am not in the Windy City but rather 600 miles to the east in Washington, D.C. As you might have guessed - I’m here to see firsthand the inauguration of our 44^th President, Chicago’s own Barack Obama.

If you’ve read the news, you know that I am far from the only one to make such plans. Thousands from Chicago and around the country have been cramming into trains, planes, and automobiles to come see Obama’s swearing in as well as attend countless parties, concerts, prayer services and other events.

More than 1.5 million people are expected to attend Tuesday’s inauguration, with some estimates putting the crowd at three to five million. This would dwarf the current record of 1.2 million people set during the swearing in of Lyndon B. Johnson 44 years ago.

At Chicago’s O’Hare airport, the scene at the packed gate of our delayed, oversold flight (with 110 people on standby) seemed to confirm such epic attendance. I spent some time simply taking in the crowd. They were not your typical business travelers. There were families with multiple generations represented, people in wheelchairs, and many, many people of color. It was very cool, and it reminded me of just how far we have come as a nation in my lifetime.

Eventually, our plane was replaced with a larger 747, though we still needed to leave 40 passengers behind. When the flight attendant, over the PA, welcomed aboard those of us heading to the inauguration, the plane burst into applause.

As someone who has not only been represented by Obama but has also had the chance to speak with him on several occasions before he achieved such fame, the run-up to the inauguration has left me brimming with excitement.

Obviously, not everyone in America supported Obama’s bid for president. Still, when reading pieces like this one by Garrison Keillor or seeing election reactions like these from around the world, it is hard to not at least respect all he’s achieved. The polls seem to say so.

At a time when our nation is facing so many challenges, it’s good to see that the spirit of cooperation and optimism is still very much alive. It’s a proud time for both Chicago and America.

Stay tuned for more updates and photos from me in D.C. as the inauguration unfolds!

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