Local Dems celebrate inauguration

Mary Tsakis said she couldn’t describe the feelings welling up inside her as she watched President Barack Obama take the oath of office.

Tsakis, 73, of Waynesboro, was wearing a t-shirt, “From a Dream to a Reality,” with the images of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Obama.

With a fire warming the lobby of the Residence Inn in Waynesboro, she watched the MSNBC feed of the inauguration with a crowd of about 100 people, many of whom cried as Obama was sworn in and gave his inaugural address.

“It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my life,” Tsakis said. “And I never thought I would see this, but I’m so glad that this happened in my lifetime.”

The Waynesboro gathering bowed respectfully in prayer as Rick Warren led the invocation, and loudly applauded when Aretha Franklin sang “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”

At times solemn and joyful, those in the crowd were hopeful for the future of the United States.

Joyce Colemon, 60, of Waynesboro, said she never dreamed that she would see this day happen for African-Americans, seeing an African-American become president.

“I’m just so excited and hopeful that we know that with the new president that his plan has already been ordained by God to carry out the success of this country,” Colemon said, “and it may not happen all at once, but I have a great sense of just knowing that he’s going to do it.”

Staunton resident Brandon Rose, 20, said Obama’s speech touched him.

“It’s just another milestone in our lives and I just pray that we continue to meet our goals,” Rose said. “And with him leading our country, I think we’ll be able to go where we need to go.”