Reaction from locals who made the trip to Washington DC

Many people from our area made the trip to Washington, DC Tuesday to witness history in the making, and see Barack Obama be sworn in as the first African American president of the United States. News Channel 3 caught up with a few of them to hear what it was like being there in person.

Somewhere in the crowd of about one and half million people, were some locals who witnessed the historic occasion in person. Among them, the Williston Middle School orchestra that performed in Washington on Sunday. Pat Long is the orchestra director.

“We got close enough to actually see the Capital Building and see Barack arrive in his limo,” said Long.

Seventeen year-old Nina Neill from Wilmington traveled with the Presidential Youth Inauguration Organization and she was surprised by what she saw. “I didn’t know how exciting and the energy that everybody would have for the change and for Obama to become president.”

While everyone in the Williston group is exhausted, and still thawing out, this was one trip they will never forget.

“The spirit of the people and the camaraderie that everyone showed each other and the helpfulness when the crowds got thick, it really put a tone of stillness,” Long said.