Inauguration Day Triggers Flood of Emotions

After only two hours of sleep Monday night, I began Inauguration Day at 8:30 a.m., trekking from Arlington, VA. with my hosts to the Memorial Bridge--the place for cyclists and pedestrians headed to the ceremony on Tuesday.

Walking to the bridge was a tranquil, awe-inspiring buildup to what became a gripping, profoundly patriotic event. I was positioned on the west end of the Mall--between the Washington Monument and the National World War II Memorial.

The bridge provided easy access to the inauguration and picturesque views of the Lincoln Memorial. The right lanes of the bridge were closed for the eventual motorcade of buses transporting the bands for the parade.

Chris Brandon, 63, of Plainfield, MA holds a sign her nephew made. Brandon was active during the civil rights movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1966 and 1967. "This is like an alternate reality," she said. "It's unreal."

Sixty-year-old Dr. Patrick E. Davies (pictured at left and below) of England stands among the crowd of tens of thousands near the WWII Memorial.

Davies said the weekend's atmosphere was "absolutely fantastic and hopeful, especially in the midst of a crisis."

Davies also said Obama's speech was a "rallying call" and likened it to some of Winston Churchill's speeches.

"Words matter, and it is words that inspire," he said.

"At events like this, history is made in a flash, and if you miss it, you miss that moment."

Like so many others, Davies raised his country's flag in support of President Obama.

After the ceremony ended, however, the Mall was not treated with the greatest care. This pile of garbage was at 17th. and Constitution St.

Still, the crowds were invigorating and inspiring in spite of the frigid temperatures. Those who couldn't get to the parade continued to celebrate at 17th and H St. well after Obama's speech ended.