BY ROWENA VERGARA
Barack Obama strode in slowly and seriously before he was announced before the millions who've filled the National Mall.
Almost immediately after Obama's face appeared on monitors, the crowd let out a slow roar that gradually reached to the steps of the Capitol. Shouts of "Obama" erupted from the mall and spilled to the front and both sides.
The crowd is waving American flags that from a far, sparkle beautifully.
Posted: 9:45 a.m.
I just saw Don King in the orange section and my sister tells me she just saw Muhammed Ali in the National Mall.
Ceremonies have started with a youth choir from California who have sung songs that sound like well wishes for Obama.
"America, we have done so much and have so much yet to do," the angelic voices sang.
"This is our chance to answer our prayer ... Our time to reaffirm the fundemental truth."
In their second song, the chorus was simply, "Yes we can."
"We are the future, help us believe ... Give us hope and we'll show you the way," they continued.
Posted: 9:01 a.m.
About the only part of my trip that was scheduled, was attending and covering the inauguration from the press area today. It's an honor to be seated so close, where there are seats or risers for about 5,000 members of the media, a Senate press office staffer told me.
Security is tight and policing is heavy. Ushers are located at every turn to direct guests.
We are two sections from where President-elect Barack Obama will stand from a lectern behind glass.
Those in the orange section, just in front of us, are allowed to take photos from the steps of the west front of the Capitol.
The crowd is vert calm and quiet. But in a few hours, I'm wondering if we'll hear the roars from the National Mall, where people look like speckles all the way back to the Washington Monument.
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