An Inauguration moment far from DC

Tuesday morning I was traveling from New York to Indianapolis to present a seminar. The plane was delayed and I finally arrived at the Indianapolis airport at 11:59 AM.

As is probably obvious to you, Tuesday was Barack Obama’s Inauguration and it was scheduled to happen at Noon. Fortunately for me, the TV monitors in the airport were all showing the broadcast. I stopped to watch and listen to Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma play a musical selection. The musicians finished playing and Dianne Feinstein asked everyone to rise for the Swearing in ceremony. Then, as Chief Justice Roberts and Barack Obama approached the podium for this historic inauguration, the most amazing thing happened.

Every person in that part of the airport, people who might have been there for hours, just waiting there watching the TV in that airport stupor, EVERYONE STOOD UP! Right there in the terminal! I was shocked. I quickly took out my cell phone and snapped this photo. It’s not the best picture but it shows a few people gathered around the TV set. I was going to take another but the moment was over before I knew it and people sat back down again.

I admit I teared up a bit. That spontaneous act of respect and pride in their country by everyone in the terminal, both Democrat and Republican, at this historic moment was a rare and beautiful thing. I have no doubt we all wish him every success. We need it bad.