Published: January 17, 2009 12:17 am      

OBAMA INAUGURATION: A part of history

Ronald Cunningham knew he needed to act fast if he was going to be a part of history.

The morning after Barack Obama was elected the nation’s first African-American president, Cunningham was on the phone with U.S. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter’s office pleading to get tickets to the inauguration. He and his brother, Melvin, left Niagara Falls by car Friday morning for Washington, D.C., and will be among only 240,000 ticketholders with clearance to attend the ceremonies within the National Mall.

Besides those with tickets, another 2 million people are estimated to converge Tuesday on Washington, D.C., as Obama is sworn in as the 44th U.S. president.

“The scene is going to be bananas,” Cunningham said with excitement. “There’s going to be a whole lot of parties and a whole lot of celebrating. This is a great time in our nation’s history.”

Though attending Obama’s inauguration is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Washington, D.C. officials are cautioning visitors to be prepared for a long, strenuous day. Those with physical limitations or who not accustomed to extensive walking and standing in crowds for several hours at a time may be better off watching from home.

Those warnings haven’t deterred Cunningham, who has attended Million Man marches in the past but concedes the inauguration’s security measures and personal obstacles will far surpass what he’s ever experienced.

“I’m fine with all of the rules and restrictions,” he said. “That’s our president.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated the inauguration as a national security event. Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department, aided by 96 departments nationwide, will double its force from 4,000 to 8,000 officers, and the city is blocking off 3.5 square miles downtown for the day, according to reports. Officials are highly recommending all visitors use the Metro system but also are warning of overcrowding at bus and subway routes.

Those with tickets should arrive early — gates to the inaugural ceremony open at 8 a.m. — and be prepared to pass though several security screenings before reaching the section indicated on their ticket. A long list of prohibited items has been released and includes umbrellas, strollers and bags.

Ticketholders like Cunningham were sent instructions and warnings that attending the daylong event may be more demanding than they’re expecting. The latest weather report for Washington, D.C., on Tuesday predicts temperatures in the mid-30s and mostly cloudy skies for the outside event. Traffic gridlock leading to extensive walking, hours of standing still, overcrowding and confined areas, long lines to use portable bathrooms and a high demand for available food vendors are just a few of the other inconveniences attendees may endure.

Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster, who also secured tickets and is attending the ceremony with his wife, Becky, and City Administrator Donna Owens, loosely compared some of the conditions and measures to attending a Buffalo Bills game in the winter. However, he’s also cautioning all city residents making the trip to use their best judgment on whether to attend.

“When I heard about what to expect, it made me think twice about it,” said Dyster, who used to live in Washington, D.C. “I think it’s going to be an ordeal in some ways but the excitement of being there seeing history in the making overwhelms that.”

Heather McEntarger, 28, said hearing about the restrictions and security measures being taken made her reconsider attending the inauguration but not enough to stay home. The Niagara University teacher is going with her roommate, Stephanie Boone, 26, and another friend.

“I just couldn’t pass up being a part of history,” McEntarger said. “It will be a memory I will have for life.”

Niagara Falls resident Joshua Anderson is making the eight-hour drive up to Washington, D.C., with his wife, Jeserae Latte, 16-year-old son Joshua and 9-year-old daughter Phoenix.

“We’re driving because it’s not just a destination, it’s a journey,” Anderson said. “Just to be there and show our support is going to be amazing. Hopefully, this is something my kids can take along with them in their journey through life.”

Anderson said his family tried to get tickets for the inauguration but had to settle for going there and trying to get as close to the site as possible. Most of those without tickets will watch on 20 Jumbotrons from as far as several blocks away, according to reports. On the plus side, those outside of the inauguration perimeter won’t have to endure as strict security measures as ticketholders, but Anderson knows there will be a lot of other hassles, including waiting hours in crowded areas outside in the cold.

“Some people have been waiting for over 400 years for this moment,” he said. “If I have to wait for a half a day, I’m OK with that.”

Contact reporter Rick Forgione

at 282-2311, ext. 2257.