VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – On Jan. 20, more than 1 million parade goers withstood freezing temperatures for long hours in hopes of seeing President Barack Obama make his way along Pennsylvania Avenue on his way to the White House presidential parade viewing area.

At the onset of this historic event, Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, warned the public that it would be nearly impossible for anyone, even top officials to travel from the swearing in area to the parade grounds because of the huge crowds.

Those wanting to participate in the inauguration were forced to choose between Obama taking the oath of office or attending the parade. More than 1 million people opted to forgo viewing the inauguration ceremony in hopes of getting a good spot along the parade route.

The morning of the parade it was 26 degrees with a wind chill factor of 12 degrees. Making the way to the parade was slow going. Security checkpoints checked every item that potential parade goers had in their possession. People then had to pass through metal detectors and were patted down with arms outstretched. Questionable items were confiscated.

Security was like nothing seen before, along the nearly two-mile long parade route stood armed officers called to duty from across the country. Only a few feet separated each officer on both sides of the parade route.

Spectators all along the parade route pressed themselves against cold steel gates, yet did what they could to keep warm. The crowds took turns on either side of the parade to chant “Obama, Obama” while dancing to music piped out of enormous speakers. Many danced to entertain themselves while they waited, but mostly to keep moving to combat the icy cold winds.

In the midst of the tired and cold crowds remained a spirit of goodwill. For the most part, parade goers maintained a sense of courtesy in the face of discomfort. For many, it was more than eight hours until the parade would begin.

At about 4:45 p.m., the crowd would see what they were waiting for. Obama and the first family made their way down Pennsylvania Avenue. The crowd erupted with a renewed energy as the first African American president passed by waving enthusiastically at an excited crowd.

After President Obama made his way past the crowd, the majority of the parade goers left, too exhausted and cold to stay for the rest of the parade. They were satisfied with just this small bit of history.

Soon after Obama had passed by, Vice President Joseph Biden and his wife and family, who had walked the entire route of the parade, excited the diehard crowd.

The parade, which had gotten an extremely late start, certainly did not appear downtrodden. Energy was high and the plethora of school, independent organization and military bands delighted the crowd with well-orchestrated music. There were also a large number of other organizations from across the country taking part in the historic parade.

Parade viewers saw a great representation of Indian country including members of the Crow Nation of Montana, the Nez Perce tribe, veterans from the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin Inc., the Suurimmaanitchuat Eskimo Dance Group, as well as representatives from United Tribes Technical College.

The UTTC had tribal members representing five North Dakota tribes including the Standing Rock Sioux, Three Affiliated Tribes, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Spirit Lake Tribe and Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate.

“In spite of the delay and the extremely cold weather, the feeling experienced by everyone, especially when they came to be in front of the president was incredible,” said Wes Longfeather, UTTC chief of staff. “We were not only proud of the president, but the representatives, the students, the veterans and we were proud to be representing Indian country, the United Tribes Technical College and North Dakota. The gratitude was immense, everyone was thankful for this lifetime opportunity and to be a part of history.”

Though the day was cold, and the hours were long and people left the parade field exhausted, nearly frozen and hungry, they left without complaining or saying a bitter word. History had been made that day, and many felt proud to be a part of history.