For Chandler Mitts, whether or not to attend Donald Trump’s Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. on Friday was a no-brainer.

Mitts, the Clarke County Trump Chairperson, will travel to the inauguration with Pam Fortner, known as the inventor of the Hand Grenade cocktail in New Orleans.

“I am going as an individual who was passionate about getting him elected but also about being there in prayer in celebration of his being sworn in as president,” Mitts said. “We believe in praying for our country and our president. A country with faith is necessary.”

A small sampling of East Mississippi residents, including Mitts, are among the hundreds of thousands who have been planning to attend this week’s activities in Washington. Candice and Russell Keene, of Meridian, plan to attend and will be joined by Russell’s parents, Lindsey and Lucy Keene, as well as Southeast Lauderdale High School student Dunnam Shirley. Also planning to go are Judy and Johnny Roberts, of Quitman.

Mitts is no stranger to Washington; she worked in former U.S. Rep. G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery’s office at one time. Montgomery served from 1967-1997. While in Washington, Mitts will attend the Mississippi Soiree on Wednesday, Jan. 18, and plans to visit to the state’s representatives on Thursday for a thank you tour. On Inauguration Day, Mitts will attend the Prayer for World Leaders from 4-6 a.m. and the Presidential Prayer Breakfast from 6 a.m. to noon.

“The biggest thing was trying to pick out the events to go to,” Mitts said. “I hope there won’t be protests and hope people come together and it be a blessed event:”

Mitts said she is anxious to see the renovated post office building the Trump family is restoring and is now the Trump International Hotel. Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, headed up the project.

“I’m working with historic restorations and on the Mississippi Heritage Trust Board. That is my passion. This post office renovation is so grand,” Mitts said. “The combination of having the renovation finished in concert with the election of Mr. Trump is wonderful.”

Mitts is the daughter of former State Sen. F.W. “Billy” Mitts, a Southern Democrat. She ran for the Mississippi House of Representatives as a Southern Democrat in 1993 and 1995.

“I’m passionate about Washington and state and national elections,” Mitts said. “I love federal and state politics. With Trump’s election, I think it is simply fantastic for America, for the borders, for jobs, for the economy, for national security and the world because we regained and recaptured our respectability on the world stage.”

Judy and Johnny Roberts

The Roberts plan to attend the Mississippi Soiree on Wednesday and the prayer breakfast on Inauguration Day, an event hosted by Rev. Merrie Turner where they are volunteering. They will collect their tickets from U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker’s office Thursday for the inauguration. They will also tour the Capitol.

“We’ve been on the Trump train from the very beginning,” Judy Roberts said. “We had a lot of friends on Facebook asking us to support Ted Cruz. We wanted a businessman in there with proven success. It was time for a change and we needed a businessman in there.”

She said she doesn’t consider herself political.

“I’m just for our country and improving our country. We’re conservative. The government has gotten too big and it’s time for a change to make our country more efficient,” Judy Roberts said.

Johnny Roberts said he is excited about going to the inauguration, but not excited about getting there.

“I dread the trip because we’re driving, but looking forward to all the events and relishing the opportunity and being able to taste and see the whole spectacle and watching our country’s electoral system work and peaceful transition of power,” Johnny Roberts said.

He said he expects an eventful trip.

“We’re going to have a good time. It will be a unique experience for us as it would be for anyone. We’re looking forward to seeing the Capitol itself. We’ve seen the national monuments and Smithsonian Institute, but have never seen the Capitol.”

Candice and Russell Keene

As Donald Trump was being declared the winner of the election against Hillary Clinton, Meridian’s Candice Keene said she thought it would be cool to attend the inauguration from an historical standpoint.

It will be pretty much a family affair in Washington for the Keenes. She and her husband, Russell, will attend with Russell’s parents, Lindsey and Lucy Keene, and Southeast Lauderdale High School senior Dunnam Shirley. Russell Keene is the principal at Southeast Lauderdale High School.

Candice Keene said she contacted the state’s representatives in Washington to request tickets to the inauguration. After being placed on a waiting list, she soon learned she had hit the jackpot. Sen. Roger Wicker’s office notified her on Dec. 21 she had tickets.

“I was stunned. I told my husband that if we got tickets that we were going,” Candice Keene said. “I booked a flight and hotel room. Sen. Thad Cochran’s office called and said I had six more tickets. I also got some tickets through Congressman Gregg Harper’s office, but turned those down. When I found out I had more tickets, I called my mother-in-law and father-in law. I told Russell that we also ought to invite Dunnam. He is on the honor roll at school.”

Candice is a physical therapist in the Sports Medicine Department at the University of West Alabama in Livingston.

“I don’t consider myself political,” she said. “We go when political nominees come to town, but don’t go out campaigning. This is absolutely a chance of a lifetime. We lucked out that we can run up there and go. We’re not Trump donors and didn’t work for his campaign, so we’re surprised that we got on the list.”

Russell Keene said it will be worth going to see the transition.

“It will be a great opportunity to see democracy in action. We hope to get as close as we can to watch and be a part of history and represent our area. It’s not a partisan thing, but there is no other country that transitions power like we do, but that is what makes America great.”

The Keenes leave on Wednesday and will visit the Capitol on Thursday.