Dusty couple goes to third presidential inauguration

Jon and Li Ochs of Dusty attended their third Presidential inauguration, and the third time is the charm because this time they had tickets.

Li (left) and Jon Ochs of Dusty take a moment in front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., as they attend the inauguration.

Photo courtesy of the Ochs.

Li Ochs said tickets are issued to Congressional members and they can give those tickets to whomever they choose.

They scored tickets to the inauguration, parade and ball through their daughter who lives and works in Washington, D.C.

The first inauguration the Ochs attended was for Pres. Bill Clinton and was so long ago that they can’t remember the year. But the second inauguration they attended was just four years ago.

Jon Ochs said that anyone can attend the inauguration and be on the Capitol mall, but this year the Ochs had seating tickets, which meant instead of melting into a crowd of 800,000 people, they were sitting among 20,000.

“This time we were quite close,” Jon said. “We had a very good view.”

The couple went through lots of security, standing in long lines, but they both agreed it was much smoother than the last inauguration.

Li said she felt the anticipation build as members of Congress filed into the area where the President would take his oath of office. Then Vice President Joe Biden and his wife entered the area followed by the President’s children and their grandmother. Finally the man himself, accompanied by Michelle Obama, came into view. The President’s speech was memorable, they said.

“It was more serious this time,” Li said. “He seemed more determined on what to get done like health care and sensible gun control. They’re getting off to a rapid start.”

“The event itself was very moving,” she said. “Being there, seeing the children with their grandmother, it just builds, building a process of getting everybody there. By the time the Obamas get there, it’s very emotional.”

Jon agreed.

“It’s a continuation of the start of the next four years, of the possibilities,” he said. “It’s intensely historic for everybody. It really brings tears to your eyes.”

“It makes you realize that America is a very special place,” Li said.

Going to the ball

Although the Ochs had tickets to the parade, they opted instead to get dressed in their formal evening wear and go to the ball. So after grabbing a bite to eat, they walked from Capitol Hill to downtown Washington, D.C.

“Everybody was happy, friendly, talking to each other,” Li said.

After riding the subway, then getting on a pedi-cab, they waited for security checks in sub-zero weather to get into a convention center to the ball.

“It was quite an event,” Jon said. “Even waiting for an hour in our evening clothes with 20,000 to 40,000 other people. The ball was great.”

As they finally entered the center, Alicia Keyes was performing. Another performer they heard was Usher.

They got relatively close to the stage and watched as the Vice President and his wife came onstage. Then the President and First Lady made their entrance.

“The thing that makes me really emotional is the family values they are setting an example for,” Li said. “They are very positive role models for all races, all parties.”

“There were a lot of families with little kids who were at the inauguration,” Jon said. “It’s a real positive aspect of this administration.”

“And the First Lady and Mrs. Biden are very active, promoting help for military families and healthy eating habits for children,” Li said.

It was a long day for the Ochs who got on the subway at 6:30 a.m. and arrived back at their daughter’s home at 1 a.m. the next morning.

“It was such an intense day,” Jon said.

Spending time with family

Their past visits have involved more tourist-type ventures, but on this trip they spent quality time with their daughter and grandchildren, even celebrating a granddaughter’s birthday.

They hope to attend more inaugurations in the future. The couple is known for being Democrats in a mainly Republican county and showed their political persuasion by attaching billboards to a barn on a well-traveled highway during the presidential election last fall.

“There’s a sense that the country is going in the right direction and has the right leadership,” Jon said. “A lot will get done. People are optimistic.”

“I think I’m hopeful we’re going to see cooperation,” Li said. “It always makes me proud to be a part of this country. We live in a pretty special place. It’s really special to see that it does all work.”