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Presidential Inauguration 2009

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January 18, 2009

Anonymous The Meridian Star Sun Jan 18, 2009, 12:02 AM CST

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Presidential Inauguration 2009

Inauguration: view from a local student Lindsey Summerlin is a senior at West Lauderdale. In the fall she was invited to be a part of Inauguration 2009 with Presidential Classrooms. Below are her journal entries from her time in Washington, D.C., for the inauguration of Barack Obama. Lindsey is the daughter of Jeff and Ginger Summerlin.
January 29, 2009 2 Photos
Inauguration Blog 8 p.m. 8 p.m.:

That was a pretty neat interview. I was talking to U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker in his Russell Senate Building office on the fourth floor (Room 487 to be exact) when he got a message on his Blackberry: it was time to vote to confirm Hillary Clinton as the next secretary of state, which he voted yes on.
January 21, 2009 7 Photos
Ready to Lead WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Barack Obama swore the presidential oath of office Tuesday, sunlight broke through soft stray clouds over the south side of the U.S. Capitol and shone directly on the nation’s 44th president and the estimated 2 million chilled spectators determined to witness his historic ceremony.

The roar from a sea of people that stretched as far back as the Lincoln Memorial, despite temperatures in the teens, echoed in waves back to the steps of the Capitol each time Obama's image appeared on massive television screens throughout the National Mall.
January 21, 2009 1 Photo
Scenes from Washington WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was easy to get lost in the sea of people that overflowed the U.S. Capital on Monday — the grounds swelled with tens of thousands of people of all races, of all ages, of every socioeconomic status, and from every corner of the world.

Despite the many differences easily visible through the crowds, their commonalities seemed far more obvious.

It was the day Ronald Reagan first set aside as Martin Luther King Day, a federal holiday honoring the slain civil rights leader — and the day before the nation gains its first black president. Barack Obama will be sworn in on the Capitol’s front steps this morning to become America’s 44th president.
January 20, 2009 4 Photos
Couple readies for inauguration While Richard Kelly is witnessing America’s first African-American president taking office Tuesday, the Meridian man’s thoughts will go back to 1964.

Kelly was 10 years old, and those leading a fledgling push for civil rights were registering black voters. Kelly was there, in Meridian’s First Union Baptist Church on 38th Avenue, when civil rights workers sought refuge in the house of worship. His most vivid memory: James Chaney and Michael Schwerner hiding out in the church's attic.

"They weren't sleeping, they were on watch," Kelly said.
January 18, 2009 3 Photos
JSU Orchestra to perform for President-elect in D.C.
January 18, 2009
Enjoying the Moment
January 18, 2009 1 Photo
Historic moment reminder of civil rights work Small towns are often known by the celebrities, athletes and the war heroes they produce -- their names emblazoned on streets, buildings and parks; tales of their success fodder for coffee shop conversations.
January 18, 2009
Local attendees excited about inauguration The event of the decade is happening this week — and a few lucky East Mississippi residents will get to go.

Some, like Meridian's Frances Roscoe, will take a daylong trip on a bus to watch the swearing-in, then get back on the bus and drive all the way back.
January 17, 2009 1 Photo