WASHINGTON (WHTM) -
With American flags in hand, U.S. Park Police estimate more than 700,000 packed the National Mall to witness the 57th Presidential Inauguration. Many midstaters headed down to D.C. for the event.
History: that is what many came to see first-hand on Monday. Cheryl Brooks made the trip from Hershey to Washington, D.C. to view her first presidential inauguration.
"When I pulled up to the gate I screamed, 'I'm here! I'm here!'" shouted an excited Brooks. The midstate native said the 57th Presidential Inauguration was special for her.
"It was like a double dose of happy," said Brooks.
She, like many, spent the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday amidst the frosty air outside the U.S. Capitol. Brooks explained the convergence of the two special days for African-Americans was overwhelmingly emotional.
Whatever numb fingers and faces there were warmed quickly with President Obama's presence. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause when the leader of the free world appeared on the Capitol balcony.
For youngster Jair Lang, a Monday morning typically means social studies and history lessons, but even this elementary school student understood the levity of the day and traded classroom books for a lifetime experience.
"I'm grateful to be here for my first inauguration to see Obama become President," said Lang. "It's going to be history."
However, adults like Philadelphia native Justin Crump said he felt like a kid. It is rare for most of us to see a President in person, much rather the inauguration of one. Crump said he was able to share the moment with his fellow Americans.
"[There is] a lot of camaraderie, and everybody is in high spirits," said Crump. "I'm just fortunate to be here."
If many didn't become friends at first, they surely did after the inauguration ceremony. A mad dash to the nearest D.C. Metro created a backlog on foot traffic. Our crew ran into Harrisburg City Council member Brad Koplinski while stuck. Koplinski, a Democratic campaign strategist, attended the event and festivities.
U.S. Park Police estimated more than 300 groups and organizations made up more than 700,000 people who gathered on the National Mall for Monday's inauguration.
