We arrived three hours before, and I'm glad we did. We heard horror stories of people arriving as early as 0900 (7 hours prior). And when we got done and were eating at a local Greek restaurant, heard stories of people being turned away (including my roommate who had to watch it from a jumbotron at the Washington Monument).
So we made it -- inside and in the mix of things. What a perfect venue for a man who is in many ways inspired by one of our greatest presidents: Abraham Lincoln.This was the most amazing line of stars I've ever witnessed personally.
Beyonce, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor.
Other performers included Stevie Wonder, Renee Fleming, Garth Brooks, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend and Jennifer Nettles. Historical passages will be read by Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington
President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden and their families attended. Obama gave a terrific speech -- Wow, and from a previous speechwriter, it was better than anything I've ever heard in a very long time.
Also, my cell phone (Verizon) lost service in the Mall (it is more than likely that the cell tower signals were scrambled). And I even lost my friends when I went to use the restroom -- Scary -- trying to find them without my cell was like trying to find the right duck in the reflecting pool.
And when the last patriotic tone was sung, we were joyful, inspired and enlightened. Watching history, and making history at the same time -- was well worth getting up early and braving the crowds and blistering sub-twenty-degree weather.
