Seafarers were in the ranks of the nearly 300-person ensemble from America’s labor unions who on Jan. 20 participated in the official inaugural parade for Barack Obama, the nation’s 44th president and first African American commander-in-chief.In what was arguably one of the most significant events in America’s still young history, Baltimore Port Agent Elizabeth Brown and three trainees – Brandon Braam, Brandy Baker and Carlos Davila – from the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in Piney Point, Md., braved bone-chilling temperatures to display the union colors as Obama took the oath as President of the United States. Brown, Braam, Baker and Davila joined a large contingent of union members from the AFL-CIO, Change to Win and the National Education Foundation who marched and led the way for the inaugural parade’s lone pro-worker float.
The float’s theme was “Honoring America’s Workers.” The delegation of marchers carried a banner containing the slogan “America’s Workers: United for Change” along with flags representing the issues most important to working families: an Economy that Works for All, Great Public Schools, Good Jobs Green Jobs, and Health Care for All.
“It was overwhelming to have been a part of such a historic event,” said Brown. “Everything was absolutely breathtaking.
“I was especially impressed with how well organized the entire event was,” Brown continued. “Even though thousands and thousands of people were involved in the parade, the entire affair went off without a glitch. Organizers, including the AFL-CIO, and those in charge of security did a masterful job of putting everything together.
“Although the weather was very cold, and we stayed outside in the elements for a long time, it all went away when we marched past President Obama’s reviewing stand,” Brown concluded. “We came so close to the president that we could actually look into his eyes…. It was absolutely wonderful and I loved being a part of it.”
Braam echoed Brown’ sentiment, noting, “It was a long day, but well worth my while. I got to within about 50 or so feet of President Obama and I can’t tell you how exciting that was."
Besides being that close to our nation’s commander-in-chief, the other thing that marked the event to Braam was the crowds. “I was truly amazed at the sea of people who were there,” he said. “They were standing shoulder to shoulder by the tens of thousands. It was like nothing I had ever seen.”
In addition to Seafarers and other union members who participated in the parade, thousands of America’s other working men and women, members of the armed forces, law enforcement officials and a vast assortment of bands and marching units participated in the historic inauguration. An estimated 2 million spectators turned out for the event.
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