As I lay in bed last night thinking about the historic juxtaposition of MLK Day and Obama’s inauguration, I also got to thinking back to previous inaugurations – Clinton’s first, to be exact. Prior to that election I maintained only a peripheral interest in the elections and the inaugurations, despite living in the Washington DC area. I engaged to a limited extent, but since I wasn’t old enough to vote in a presidential election until 1992 (I missed 1988 by three lousy weeks!), it was the first election that I really took an interest in, and I was truly excited to see Clinton get elected.
My friend Steve Perkins and I joined on the Clinton bandwagon, driving south to catch the Clinton “bus tour” on its way from Charlottesville, and making plans to go to the inauguration. January 20, 1993 remains the only one I’ve been to in person, and I honestly have very few concrete memories of the day itself. I remember the weather being not unlike it is today in the Nation’s Capitol – crisp, clear, and cold. Not nearly as many people packed DC, but a similar positive energy was present. My most specific memory is seeing Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker in the crowd, out among the masses rather than being in some VIP section. I know we watched the swearing-in ceremony, and might have tried (I think we failed) to get close to the parade route.
Like many people who are there today, just being in Washington was the goal, and we were.
Of course, my memories of that day are tainted by the day almost exactly 10 years later, when Steve took his own life. I wish I could remember the precise day, but I know it was over MLK weekend of 2003. I can’t believe it’s been six years now, and I wish he were here to see this day – I know he would be as excited as I am to see this president take office.