I get to post every time I participate in something historic, so this is it. Mehrsa took one for the team and stayed home from President Obama's inauguration with the kids. I took some of the young men from our ward, Gerson, Ashani, and Eddie, and was accompanied by Sunny. Everyone had permission slips, even Sunny.
We went down to DC early Monday morning and we saw a few sights, were warned of the Judgment Day, took in a gallery, and in general filled the tank on high-octane Obama-mania.
We stayed the night with Andy and Bethany Spalding (THANKS AGAIN) and they had a few of their YM over for ice cream and games. The boys decided we should wake up at 4:30am in order to beat the rush on the mall in the morning of the inauguration. We woke up at 4:30, but we didn't beat any rush.
The streets were packed with 2 million ticketless people jockeying for prime positioning. We all soon learned that there was none to be had and settled on the mall. We made it up to the third jumbo-tron just as the first lights of morning were creeping over the capitol. 
It was really cold and we had several hours to wait still. We sat and eventually laid in the dirt trying to keep warm. The hour finally came and out marched the politicians and the well connected. Vice President Biden and President Obama were sworn in and the crowd went nuts. Excitement is an understatement.
It was very cool to be there. Everyone was happy and very nice - strangers hugging, high-5's all around, etc. I read somewhere that there was not one arrest, 2 million people and not one arrest. Wild. The poetry cleared the mall, and it was mayhem getting back to the Spaldings'. Eddie lost his camera so was pretty grumpy, but otherwise I've never seen young men so willing to get up early and generally do things that are asked of them. Another reason to like our new President, if one was needed.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Inauguriffic!
Posted by familia Bybaran at 3:44 PM
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12 comments:
Jared, you are so lucky you were there. I love your post and the pictures. I watched it all in the comfort of my home, but was very moved and inspired. I even started a quilt that day and I'm almost done. It is capturing the way I felt during Obama's speech. I'll post it on my blog when I'm done.
Interesting how Mormons are grouped with porno freaks and baby killing women. I was wondering if one of you would get to go to the inauguration. I bet the feeling there was overwhelming. How cool to participate in history.
I spent the morning glued to the TV and then the girls and I took in the actual inauguration at a friend's house so our kids could play and we could actually watch and hear his speech. It was all so incredible, especially the benediction. That was definitely one of the best prayers I have ever heard. I'm so glad you got to go; thanks for sharing the pictures.
What an awesome experience! I knew that you guys were going to get down there if you could...good for you!
I wonder if the people who made that sign have any idea how dangerous the mormons can be.
Yes. It was inauguriffic, wasn't it. My car still smells like young men that didn't get to take a shower for two days. All worth it. Nice guest post.
I am green with envy. What an awesome experience. Mehrsa--you get the wife of the year award. That was a HUGE sacrifice. :)
So great that you were able to take some of the YM, I'm sure it will be an experience they remember forever. You Bybee's deserve an award for all you do for the ward and your undying support of Obama from the get go!
The sign is AWESOME! Partly because people in the other groups on that sign would be like, "What are the Mormons doing here?" Hilarious.
The real question is, can Obama get my kids to be willing to do things that are asked of them? Ask not what you can do for your country, but what you can do for your mom...awesome pictures. I'm brown and sticking around too.
so cool!!! Tiare
So exciting. Love these pictures, especially of the protesters + the harlem boys.
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