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John Potter | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Obama's Legions/les lŽgions d'Obama/巴拉克的军团/De legioenen van Obama/Le Legioni di Obama tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Obama's Legions/les lŽgions d'Obama/巴拉克的军团/De legioenen van Obama/Le Legioni di Obama


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January 20th 2009. Barack Obama's Inauguration Day. I wanted to capture the faces of those who braved the bitter cold to be THERE for that event! I wanted to capture some of the incredible feeling of the day. The gallery begins with people arriving at 8 in the morning and continues until after his speech at close to 14:00, and the crowds can no longer stand the cold and begin to leave. The gallery is dedicated to hope, integrity, idealism and the reality that....YES WE CAN! What a day!

Taking an overview through the slideshow at 3-5 second intervals is a good quick intro. taking things a bit slower and reading the captions adds a lot to the enjoyment, imo. Have fun!

8:00 and the people are coming.
8:00 and the people are coming.		 out of the Metro
out of the Metro		 over Memorial Bridge
over Memorial Bridge		 past the police
past the police		 coming from Michigan and Chicago
coming from Michigan and Chicago
Illinois with stroller
Illinois with stroller		 toward the Lincoln Memorial
toward the Lincoln Memorial		 wrapped
wrapped		 smiling from Georgia
smiling from Georgia		 from Maryland, Missouri, Montana
from Maryland, Missouri, Montana
and California with camera
and California with camera		 all smiles
all smiles		 proudly wearing a symbol
proudly wearing a symbol		 to the Lincoln Memorial
to the Lincoln Memorial		 to the National Mall
to the National Mall
at the Lincoln Memorial, he, too from Illinois
at the Lincoln Memorial, he, too from Illinois		 interviewing those from overseas
interviewing those from overseas		 and those with something to be proud of
and those with something to be proud of		 turning blue in the cold
turning blue in the cold		 by the frozen Reflecting Pool
by the frozen Reflecting Pool
....from Oregon
....from Oregon		 Hawaii, North Carolina....
Hawaii, North Carolina....		 facing the Washington Monument
facing the Washington Monument		 ...one who shall not be named
...one who shall not be named		 ...from Washington State
...from Washington State
...a plea for peace
...a plea for peace		 from Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico
from Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico		 ...from Boston with Lincoln
...from Boston with Lincoln		 From Bolivia
From Bolivia		 all ages gather
all ages gather
to smile, to be happy
to smile, to be happy		 to remember that 40 years ago this day was unthinkable
to remember that 40 years ago this day was unthinkable		 passion
passion		 joy in the nation's metamorphosis
joy in the nation's metamorphosis		 from down under......
from down under......
and Delaware
and Delaware		 and here in Washington
and here in Washington		 what a moment
what a moment		 to be together and know we will remember
to be together and know we will remember		 whether we are white, black, any color
whether we are white, black, any color
that this day will live in history
that this day will live in history		 thousands of portapotties everywhere
thousands of portapotties everywhere		 gorgeous hats for the occasion (hello Carnevale)
gorgeous hats for the occasion (hello Carnevale)		 patriotic splendor
patriotic splendor		 the moment grows closer
the moment grows closer
focus sharpens
focus sharpens		 time wrestles temperature
time wrestles temperature		 and Teddy Kennedy appears
and Teddy Kennedy appears		 and the crowd thickens
and the crowd thickens		 surging toward the monument
surging toward the monument
cheering for the leader to appear
cheering for the leader to appear		 Coffee 10, Orange Juice 2
Coffee 10, Orange Juice 2		 we can't help smiling
we can't help smiling		 it's been 8 long years, and it's over. We have to smile
it's been 8 long years, and it's over. We have to smile		 and spread the word, even with those pushy TV guys
and spread the word, even with those pushy TV guys
thickening crowds at Lincoln
thickening crowds at Lincoln		 30 minutes to go...
30 minutes to go...		 legions, Barack's legions, tough to move now
legions, Barack's legions, tough to move now		 the crowds wait, the motorcade approaches
the crowds wait, the motorcade approaches		 and patriots stand
and patriots stand
and readers read
and readers read		 and sleepers sleep
and sleepers sleep		 and Pennsylvanians reappear
and Pennsylvanians reappear		 and snoozers, here all night, snooze
and snoozers, here all night, snooze		 and sitters sit
and sitters sit
hold on babe
hold on babe		 the ground can be seen for a moment
the ground can be seen for a moment		 only on the west side of the monument
only on the west side of the monument		 ...and north of the monument, the house which is changing hands
...and north of the monument, the house which is changing hands		 flags fly, cameras click
flags fly, cameras click
and the little space left.....
and the little space left.....		 fills up
fills up		 from France and England
from France and England		 studying the jumbotron...
studying the jumbotron...		 a glimpse of Barack!
a glimpse of Barack!
and the moment freezes time
and the moment freezes time		 intensity grows
intensity grows		 from Sweden
from Sweden		 and DC
and DC		 such rapt attention
such rapt attention
as he prepares
as he prepares		 as he prays
as he prays		 then Aretha sings with SUCH passion
then Aretha sings with SUCH passion		 the symbolic buildings at each of the mall
the symbolic buildings at each of the mall		 that moment. Taking the oath...
that moment. Taking the oath...
and cheer resounds....
and cheer resounds....		 smiles
smiles		 all round....
all round....		 My President!
My President!		 the inaugural address begins
the inaugural address begins
and rapt, wrapped listeners
and rapt, wrapped listeners		 and cheering, arms spread, children
and cheering, arms spread, children		 quiet whispers, murmuring to friends
quiet whispers, murmuring to friends		 How the mind is provoked by this sobering speech
How the mind is provoked by this sobering speech		 while a young body slumps
while a young body slumps
absurd headgear belies deep seriousness
absurd headgear belies deep seriousness		 and a pensive aside....
and a pensive aside....		 while we take it all in
while we take it all in		 together as a national community
together as a national community		 the history soaks deep into our minds, I am black like this man
the history soaks deep into our minds, I am black like this man
we are serious with him
we are serious with him		 unless distracted by some intrusive photographer
unless distracted by some intrusive photographer		 And now the upbeat part, a great smile
And now the upbeat part, a great smile		 a flag held as the voice resonates
a flag held as the voice resonates		 and his words hang in the air
and his words hang in the air
for those who understand to contemplate
for those who understand to contemplate		 How rapt the gathered are
How rapt the gathered are		 yet so happy
yet so happy		 as the monument and its crowds speak their presence
as the monument and its crowds speak their presence		 It's over dad, I'm freezing
"It's over dad, I'm freezing"
A bold statement is made
A bold statement is made		 and the frozen crowd stiffly begins to move
and the frozen crowd stiffly begins to move		 to get something hot
to get something hot		 and to slouch up Virginia Avenue aged by the cold
and to slouch up Virginia Avenue aged by the cold		 but made young by the day
but made young by the day
now you see the cold on their faces
now you see the cold on their faces		 they move away, toward home
they move away, toward home		 the crowd spreads across the road
the crowd spreads across the road		 ...so worth the effort
...so worth the effort		 as the Potomac River slides by.....
as the Potomac River slides by.....
Washington settles in for a new beginning
Washington settles in for a new beginning

comment | share
Ashley Hockenberry25-Sep-2011 19:05
good work !
Eldar Kadymov20-May-2010 00:33
I salute those who have nothin' to loose, LOL & V
Zoltán Balogh07-Feb-2009 23:55
Fantastic journalistic work here John! Congratulations, I enjoyed browsing your pics very much! V
Marjan Schavemaker06-Feb-2009 07:28
Great job, John! V
cits_4_pets01-Feb-2009 23:23
Great shots, love that there were no crimes committed with all those people I enjoyed watching the celebration concert a couple of days prior & was very moved by Pete Seeger, Tau Rodgriquez & Bruce Springsteen performing This Land is Your Land. (Where was Arlo? Was really disappointed he was not there to perform his dad's song...which one day I hope becomes our National Anthem.) Thank you for sharing these with us... I wish I could have been there but was house-sitting for a couple who got to go getting tix from their son who worked for the 1st Lady... V http://www.pbase.com/cits_4_pets/memorial_day_2008 is my Political, Patriotic Gallery.
Jim's Atavistic Visions01-Feb-2009 18:26
Fantastic documentary of the event! V!... Josefina
Roland01-Feb-2009 17:57
John, this is so much more than what appears here. For the first time in many, many
years there is a sense of hope that hasn't existed for decades. You have done a
great service by capturing these historic images. Vote.
Chris Spracklen01-Feb-2009 17:15
A fine documentary gallery, filled with well-taken journalistic-type images, John. It's obviously a real keep for posterity! Let's hope the new man and the new regime lives up to all the razzamatazz! Best regards, Chris
Pierre Schneider01-Feb-2009 10:38
Superbe reportage. Merci pour ce partage. Quel émotion, j'étais derrière mon écran télé.
Vive les USA ! V
Wendy O31-Jan-2009 19:31
A wonderful day!! Thank you for these images...faces of hope.
Sabine Stetson31-Jan-2009 05:17
colorful, lively documentary of a happy day for all of us....thank you, john

big V
alfredo camba jr.29-Jan-2009 14:31
Very nice and interesting gallery!! Beautiful images!! Vote!
Aloha Diao Lavina29-Jan-2009 12:01
Hope is beautiful. Thanks! Aloha
Veronica Fresh29-Jan-2009 04:51
Super job! You've captured the mood of the day as well as that of the spectators, coming and going. Excellent & a big vote!
Veronica
Jaime Serrano28-Jan-2009 23:44
Excellent documentary!!! great photos showing the atmosphere of this historic event. Big vote.
laine8228-Jan-2009 23:39
Suberbly documented, John...a wonderful event & you have captured it perfectly !!!
Guest 28-Jan-2009 19:44
John, a truly impressive effort. I love your captures - a little bit of everything and lots of heart. Well done!
Hodero28-Jan-2009 17:56
Now he has to prove what everybody hopes for......
Guest 28-Jan-2009 09:35
Nicely documented - I like the personal approach you have taken. Hopefully this day will be remembered as a moment in history when the world became a better place.
Karen Moen28-Jan-2009 05:31
Beautifully documented history. Well done. Thanks for sharing your photos and your thoughts. Voted.
Naret Visesvongsa28-Jan-2009 03:05
Interesting documentary pictures. V
houseofcors28-Jan-2009 02:09
Captured the great spirit of the day so well; nicely done!
Simon Chandler27-Jan-2009 23:37
Excellent documentary gallery. The images are natual, genuine and emotion-filled. v
Matylda Lempel-Chareza Photography27-Jan-2009 23:15
Beautiful work here,John !I love Aretha very much.This is historic moment ,great peak for every colours people...great moment !well done gallery,congratulation,vote
Guenter Eh27-Jan-2009 20:28
This is more than a reportage, I`d like to say "engaged photography" as a tribut to this historically event! Bravo John and thanks for sharing! :-)
Martha Albuquerque27-Jan-2009 18:33
Yes, I hope CHANGE is gonna come!
Great! Awesome work John!!!
~Bravo and Vote~
Patricia Kay27-Jan-2009 16:00
Wonderful gallery John....you have certainly captured the atmosphere of this day in History! Thank you for sharing your great photos! BV
John27-Jan-2009 00:29
Whoopee!
Guest 26-Jan-2009 19:10
good work,
Guest 26-Jan-2009 14:58
A great moment with this gallery, peace & love eveybody !
Mairéad26-Jan-2009 12:26
Thank you for sharing these great pictures of
this historic day with us. V
olivier bruning26-Jan-2009 11:58
wonderful account of a memorable day....hope change is gonna come!
Guest 26-Jan-2009 04:07
Great galler...great day!
Fay Stout26-Jan-2009 02:25
Nice job! Really enjoyed it! Wish I could have been there, but did request off from work so I could watch the festivities on TV. It was a joyous day... V.
Guest 26-Jan-2009 00:03
Nice documentary shots, John. v
Ann T. 25-Jan-2009 17:09
John, You have outdone yourself. This would make a great picture book.
Thanks for inviting us to look.
Milan Vogrin25-Jan-2009 16:40
Very nice presentation. I just miss photo of Obama;)
Gary Blanchette25-Jan-2009 16:37
While I do not support Obama, I must say you captured this event brilliantly.
Susanne v. Schroeder25-Jan-2009 13:32
How great you could be there and witness this historic event and share your impressions with us! Thanks!!!
Richard Calmes25-Jan-2009 13:17
Wonderful journal! What a treat to enjoy these marvelous and historic images! V
Giancarlo Guzzardi25-Jan-2009 11:48
splendid reportage of this great event! emotive and touching pictures of many people that want freedom, peace and justice for all and above all wish a new world.
magnificent testimony of a different America in this gallery, faces and smiling full of hope for the future.
Guest 25-Jan-2009 10:16
You did a very good job. Your pics are full of people hoping for the future.
I only hope that the new president is unlike the previous...
Stefano from Venice, Italy.
Paolo Peggi (aka Bracciodiferro)25-Jan-2009 08:22
Dear John, you did a beautiful job.
A beautiful repertage, memorable photographs from these events.
You've been lucky to be there and do these great photos.
My big vote.
Paolo
PauloCGama25-Jan-2009 02:36
Really is a great photo documentary gallery, John. Excellent job.
cheers ... v
shatterbug25-Jan-2009 00:02
Great reportage of this historic event!
Bianca Celot24-Jan-2009 21:18
Fantastic! This is a happy and hopeful gallery...
Guest 24-Jan-2009 21:00
Excellent work here, truly captures the day. Well done. Jv V!
Melanie24-Jan-2009 16:38
First off, I want to thank you (yet again) for inviting me into your galleries. You do such an excellent job of "capturing the situation"
These photo's and the captions are so "there".
GMV
Mel
Steve Morris24-Jan-2009 15:49
A remarkable event seen in the faces of those lucky enough to be there. Good photography John!!BV
Guest 24-Jan-2009 15:14
Excellent documentary, beautiful crisp captured af the people's sincere emotions! V
dame nadine. 24-Jan-2009 14:46
merci pour cette belle galerie de photos...
nous avons suivi cet événement a la télevision française , c'est cette amérique la que j'aime...
a bientot a venise ...
dame nadine.
Alain Boussac24-Jan-2009 13:03
Great gallery : a photographic document for the history. Yes, we were there too !
Paradoxal Studio Classic24-Jan-2009 08:27
Fabulous !!!
We can say we were there too !!!
:oD
Ann Chaikin24-Jan-2009 07:42
Thanks for sharing this John. And congratulations to us all for our new President.
Patty Roth24-Jan-2009 02:18
Awesome job of capturing what the day must have been like. Loved your captions as well. Gave this day such a very human touch. Patty
Marc de Wit23-Jan-2009 23:29
Very nice gallery.
Barack Obama bringing warmth on a cold day.
God bless him , the USA , the rest of this world.
Helen Betts23-Jan-2009 22:31
Great gallery, John. I live 11 blocks from the Capitol, but had to be in Turkey during the inauguration. Luckily I could see what I missed from you!
Antonio Ruggiero23-Jan-2009 22:17
Ottima Gallery....Bravo...V
lorand23-Jan-2009 20:18
SUPERB GALLERY JOHN!!!
Vote
Guest 23-Jan-2009 17:14
Must have been terririfc being there on that historic moment, thanks for sharing.
Ciao, a presto.
Rosemarie Kusserow23-Jan-2009 16:25
Thanks for inviting me to your gallery about this great historical moment John, I enjoyed very much to view at all your pictures, as you know I only was able to view at my TV at home but I was so happy to see his inauguration, thanks for posting, the green color stay for HOPE I think, big big vote, Rosemarie :o) VVV
Alain Guillemet23-Jan-2009 15:16
Un moment historique pour vous tous et l'ensemble de l'humanité
Un grand bravo pour ces images
Alain (Paris)
Guest 23-Jan-2009 14:25
awesome - such wonderful moments - Thank you!!!
Love, Margaret
villette23-Jan-2009 12:48
I was in crying in front of my TV during those marvellous moments ! It is a so great event, that I'm not able to find words strong enough to express my emotion.
Thank you John for the pictures. Sure I would have be so happy to share those moments with you.
kisses
Joëlle
http://lechemindubonheur.blogs.psychologies.com/
Guest 23-Jan-2009 12:22
John:
Thanks for sharing with us the images of this historic day!
Ciao, Giancarlo
lila 23-Jan-2009 11:52
Fabulous!!!
Peggy 23-Jan-2009 11:46
Impressionnante cérémonie que nous avons pu suivre à la TV et grâce à tes photos. Moment historique, emplie d'émotion. Je souhaite que Barack OBAMO soit à la hauteur des espérances du peuple américain. Je lui souhaite beaucoup de courage dans les taches qu'il a à accomplir et beaucoup de bonheur pour son mandat. Il a déjà l'amour des américains, à lui de faire le reste.
florine 23-Jan-2009 11:41
une page de l'amérique qui se tourne que sera t-il écrit sur cette page blanche ? espoir paix amour entre les peuples mais la route sera longue et cahotique rien ne se fait par magie il faut la volonté des hommes qui même aujourd'hui ne savent plus sourire
vive venise ou nous nous retrouverons pour de fabuLeux moments au .......QG
BISES
Christine des Ardennes 23-Jan-2009 11:36
C'est un trés grand jour pour le monde entier....Nous avons suivi cet évennement avec attention et ces images sont là pour le prouver.... Merci John !
Eliane 23-Jan-2009 10:48
Merci pour ces "vrais images" de ce moment historique pour les USA
Espérons qu'il va réussir à changer ce pays
Bravo pour ces photos
Eliane Corbeil Essonnes
Pascal & Virginie 23-Jan-2009 10:19
de tres belles photos "live" pour un jour historique ... pas seulement pour les USA.
à bientôt à Venise
Pascal & Virginie (Paris)
dan23-Jan-2009 09:54
violaine et moi étions collés à notre tv pour ce moment historique...
bravo pour ces images
à bientôt à Venise
dan
silvano 23-Jan-2009 09:07
questa dovrebbe essere una giornata storica ...
thanks for sharing , thanks for this reportage
... we see soon in Venice
Silvano
Peter kemp 23-Jan-2009 07:44
wel done a great day in histroy well capptured
cy in venice
peter
www.peterkemp.nl
Christian Lallier23-Jan-2009 07:13
Pia, my wife, give you the golden hot-dog for your fantastic report.
A great moment live on TV and great by seeing your amazing sensitive and tender report.
thanks for this so important memory .......a report for history.
see you soon
Christian
Willy Tschanz (edwinleo)23-Jan-2009 06:07
Un jour historique pour les USA et le reste du monde...
Je suis heureux pour vous... Bravo John !
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