Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2008 Editorial • My experience in Washington, D.C. changed me

Publisher’s note: This editorial originally appeared in the Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2008, edition of the Lassen County Times.

The biggest winners in this year’s election were the people of the United States, who came out in droves to vote, who discovered or re-discovered their voices and that those voices made a difference, who flooded into public spaces, not just the tens of thousands who crowded into Chicago’s Grant Park to hear President-elect Barack Obama’s acceptance speech, but those who spontaneously gathered in Times Square and in front of the White House and in innumerable smaller venues across the country.

The following was submitted by a reader whose daughter lives in Washington, D.C. We think it captures the spirit of last week’s historic election.

What a difference a day makes!

Living in D.C. I have seen much. This will be my second inauguration.

I have seen the funerals of two presidents, each glaringly different.

I have seen protests from a million strong to 20 Americans gathering to make their voices heard and seen.

 I have seen the grossly wealthy and absolute poverty, all within three blocks of each other.

I have seen the seasons change, year after year. Snow in the nation’s capitol is beautiful, but so is the fall color, not sure which is my favorite.

I have seen impressive memorials.

I have participated in honoring those who have fallen in the line of duty and fought for our country.

I have seen, as far as the eye can see, graves of those who have fought for this country. I have laid wreaths on their graves.

I have seen young men guard a grave, day in and day out, in all weather, all times of the day for an unknown soldier.

I have witnessed burial after burial of soldiers while in Arlington, as fast as they could get them done. One every hour on the hour.

I have seen the horse-drawn caisson carry their flag-draped coffins.

I have seen friends run in marathons, alongside men and women with artificial limbs.  

I have seen the sun rise and set over the Potomac.  

I have seen caravans of elected officials roll through streets, stopping traffic and people.

I have seen armed men, on every street corner, every day.  

I have seen our nation’s Capitol and White House. I have been in both.  

I have been in the West Wing, Senate and the House offices.

I have volunteered for the rights of women, to stop the violence against women, to feed the needy.

I have met a homeless man and know his story and name.

I have been blessed by work that has forever changed my life, made me a better person.  

I have seen things beyond my imagination.

But  

What I haven’t seen is anything like last night (election night): people pouring into the streets by the thousands, people carrying flags, cheering and running through the streets, people on their knees in tears, people in cars honking to the beat of “yes we can,” people in awe at what had just happened and that they were part of it.

I drifted to sleep to the sounds of the street.

I have been changed by my experience in Washington, D.C.