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An expensive journey to Washington, a long wait in the cold, shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and intense security. It's not easy or trivial to be one of the 800,000 people in D.C. for President Barack Obama's second inauguration. Who are they, and what compelled those who are attending to be there? CNN iReport and Instagram teamed up to find out.
Texas college student Lyzette Garza (@lyzettegarza) and her best friend traveled to D.C. to be part of the inauguration festivities. Coiurtesy Lyzette Garza
Texas college student Lyzette Garza (@lyzettegarza) and her best friend traveled to D.C. to be part of the inauguration festivities. Coiurtesy Lyzette Garza
George Washington University freshmen Marissa Salgado (marissa_salgado), left, and Bethany Thomas (@bethanythomass) were up since 4 a.m. Monday, "because we were so excited about the inauguration and wanted to make sure we had a great view. It paid off! We were as close as you could get without having tickets." Courtesy Marissa Salgado
Freshman Congresswoman Grace Meng, D-New York, shared a photo of herself with some of her fellow female freshmen. From left: Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-New Mexico; Meng; Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Arizona; and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii. "It was really emotional for us freshmen," said Meng, who uploaded this photo to CNN iReport. Courtesy Grace Meng
"This is something I can tell my kids and grandkids about when I get older," said Jamillah Hodge (@2punkins), left, who lives in Carneys Point, New Jersey, and caught a bus with her best friends to D.C. "My favorite moment was when Barack Obama entered the Capitol and said, 'I've missed this place!' Loved It!" Courtesy Jamillah Hodge
Lots of young people were in the crowd. This is Chris Ngo (@icraychris), a 14-year-old from South Carolina. He described this day as a "once in a lifetime chance" and said he couldn't be happier to be on the mall Monday. Courtesy Chris Ngo
"This is history in the making, and I just could not pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The crowd felt surreal," said Cameran Tucker (@camtucker25), a junior at Notre Dame High School in West Haven Connecticut. Courtesy Cameran Tucker
Lisa Lee (@rrrlisarrr), left, a diversity program manager at Facebook, said
Obama's inauguration was especially meaningful to her. "Like many of our fellow Asian-Americans, we are here to celebrate a president who we've felt is inclusive of our voices and experiences," she said. "[The inauguration] means a renewed sense of promise and commitment to change our society for the better, not just from the president and his administration, but for everyone." Courtesy Lisa Lee
Obama's inauguration was especially meaningful to her. "Like many of our fellow Asian-Americans, we are here to celebrate a president who we've felt is inclusive of our voices and experiences," she said. "[The inauguration] means a renewed sense of promise and commitment to change our society for the better, not just from the president and his administration, but for everyone." Courtesy Lisa Lee
Becky Primeaux said attending an inauguration was high on her bucket list, and "I am extremely excited to check it off." Primeaux snapped this self-portrait to share the experience with her family in Texas and Louisiana, and uploaded the photo to CNN iReport. Courtesy Becky Primeaux and Jeff Brady
Gunnery Sgt. Bradley Chrisman was chosen to escort inaugural VIPs onto the platform. "It is such an honor," said his wife, Renee Chrisman (@reneechrisman), who was at home with their children in North Carolina watching the festivities on TV. They caught a glimpse of him standing near the president. Courtesy Renee Chrisman
Lisa Clemans-Cope and her husband, left, brought their two daughters to the inauguration. The family lives in Bethesda, Maryland. They all made signs to bring along that featured issues they want the president to address, including the Affordable Health Care Act, the war in Afghanistan and Medicaid. Clemans-Cope says she wants her children, 4 and 9, to practice exercising their right to free speech. They also bought flags to wave as they stood on the mall. "Every kid has a flag," said Clemans-Cope. "Don't even think about going without a flag." Courtesy Lisa Clemans-Cope
When Veronica Brown (@idealista23) and her friends reached the rooftop of 101 Constitution Ave., they were awed at the view and the crowd. She attended the inauguration four years ago, and said the second time around was just as meaningful. "It means so much to me to be able to be here and support President Obama, as a Latina and as a student," she said. Courtesy Veronica Brown
Canine Companions for Independence, a group that trains dogs for people with disabilities, were among the groups marching in the Inauguration Day parade. "It's an important historical day, and we are delighted to be a part of it," said volunteer Pauline Parry (@paulinejparry), who shared this photo. Courtesy Pauline J. Parry
Graduate student Krystal Smith (@krystalshera) attended the inauguration with her mom. This was their second presidential inauguration, and this time, both were chosen as volunteers for the swearing-in ceremony and the inaugural parade. "When I saw that CNN was broadcasting live for the presidential inauguration, I jumped at the chance to take a picture right in front of it," Smith said. Courtesy Krystal Smith
Photographer and long-time CNN iReporter Neal Piper had a spot in the press box at the inauguration, covering the event for his media company, Living the Dream. He said he and his fiancee were honored to be part of the day's events. Courtesy Neal Piper