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Presidential Inauguration 2009

By: Audreyanna Garrett, Feature Writer

Nineteen degree weather was not enough to keep millions of Americans away and it definitely was not enough to deter me.  As we awaited the initiation of this historical event, our minds fiercely battled our physical resistance to continue to stand and endure the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama. 

I had the pleasure of experiencing this monumental occurrence with millions of Americans differing in race, religion and creed.  We gathered in peace, shared uncontrollable emotions and smiles for we all shared a common passion.  The passion of witnessing the United States of America grow; witnessing this countries founding principles emphasized.  We shared the feelings of finally believing that We, The People, of the United States of America can effect change in this country.  We stood together to witness the promise, as President Obama vowed, in all sincerity, to guide this country out of recession, and to encourage Americans to call upon our ability to effect and encourage change.  Through President Obama’s words he spoke of change but with that came the harsh realities of past decisions.   As Obama states in his inaugural address, “Today I say that the challenges we face are real.  They are serious and they are many.  They will not be met easily or in a short span of time.  But know this America-they will be met.”

These words, spoken in confidence, sincerity and adoration restore the hope that always resided in American hearts submerged by fear.  We shall clasp to these words in desperate times.  We believe in our President’s promise and that is why this Presidential Inauguration drew such a crowd. 

“Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.”

-President Obama-

The strength of heart and character of America was defined by the many individuals whose physical stamina demolished over the hours and were involuntarily forced to retreat. 

With President Obama’s encouragement tears were shed with hope of prosperity for all.  President Obama’s heartfelt presence etched great cheer in the hearts of millions.  And even though we stood ten, hundreds, thousands of feet and watched miles away, we felt like he stood side by side.

 

 

 

 

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 1st, 2009 at 9:06 am and is filed under Decisions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.