SpringfieldNewsSun.com

WASHINGTON — For Springfield couple Larry and Gail Lash, the nearly three-hour wait at Rep. Steve Austria's congressional office was worth it. They walked out with a ticket to witness today's inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States.

"It's been quite an experience, said Larry Lash, who requested the inauguration ticket a day after Obama defeated Sen. John McCain in the presidential election. "I think people should know that there's a lot of optimism here," Lash said. "Blacks, white and everybody are excited."

The excitement is evident in Washington. At bus and train stations, and all around the beltway, many taxi cabs and private cars are adorned with American flags with Obama pictures. Street vendors abound, selling all kinds of Obama memorabilia. As of Monday, Jan. 19, night, more people were pouring into the nation's capital to be part of this historic event.

"This is the year things will be changed," George A. Brown said as he arrived at the Greyhound Bus station from Bridgeport, Conn. "I'm confident Obama is going to do something to bring things back in order."

Evan Wells, who arrived on Greyhound from Minneapolis, just wants to see Obama sworn-in as president, and then enjoy the inauguration atmosphere.

"It's a historic time," Wells said. "I'm so glad to be here."

Equally thrilled are Wittenberg University sophomores Kirsten Midgley and Marisa Perez. Both spent Monday sight-seeing, touring the Smithsonian museum and the national portrait gallery.

"It's been great," said Midgley, who won two inauguration tickets by correctly predicting who would win the last presidential election and by how many electoral college votes.

"I've noticed that it's so diverse here," said Perez, whom Midgley gave the other inauguration ticket. "This is such an eye-opening experience."

Sonny and Beverley Young were not so lucky. But even without inauguration tickets, the Springfield couple is having a good time in Washington.

"Being here is so exciting," Sonny Young said. "We do realize this is a moment in history that might not happen again and we're excited to be part of it."