Seeing the "Whistle Stop Tour" Obama Train come through my old home town

[zulchzulu]

I was raised in Wilmington, Delaware and, after living in many parts of the US, came to see this town completely transformed in so many ways from when I was a young boy.

From the days when racism was very prevalent and when the riots after Martin Luther King was assassinated to how I grew up there and saw many visits to the Wilmington train station through different phases of my life, it was such an interesting turn in how life has so many surprises, and in this case, rewards.

Dancing to the pre-event music (it helps to keep warm) with fellow Obama supporters of all ages, races, creeds and colors was simply joyous and a few tears were shed during the event... not just by me, but by many around me... and all were very kind to each other.



Before heading to DC for the Inauguration (I'm there now), I visited my parents and decided to see the "Whistle Stop Tour" Obama train go by downtown at the train station. Estimates were that there were perhaps 20,000 people braving the 13 degree cold for several hours. People were not only there to see he Obamas, but the Bidens as well. This was a big day for Delaware, a state I always have to explain where it is to most people.



It was a big day for Joe Biden. His speech outlined his experience with the train station and it must have been something he never thought would happen with the event. The people really give him a great applause when he talked about Delaware.



When he introduced Obama, the crowd went wild. Obama gave a great speech linking Delaware as the first state to ratify the United States Constitution and his praise for Joe Biden.

That train station will never be the same.

Note: more updates coming as the next few days go on...

[polichick]

1. Thanks for the story and pics! So glad you got to be there. :)

[zulchzulu]

3. As they say...

....wish you were here!

:hi:

[polichick]

7. Have FUN and stay warm!

:hi:

[firedupdem]

2. Thank you for these pictures and your personal story to go along

with them. You were officially a part of history this weekend! I'm glad that Joe was able to feel the love as well as Barack! Great weekend we're having!

[Cha]

4. Nice shots,

thanks, zulch:patriot:

[JimGinPA]

5. Nice!

K&R

[EraOfResponsibility]

6. Awesome!

[Scurrilous]

8. K & R

:thumbsup:

[MadMaddie]

9. Thanks for sharing!!

[zulchzulu]

10. There was a LOT of security..

There were sharpshooters on a few roofs that made it an obvious sign that the event was under control.

[Patiod]

11. One of my friends went - we chickened out b/c of the cold

I found out about the tour, arranged to meet my friend who lives in Wilmington, then chickened out.

But she figured it was no big deal - she and her husband could show up at noon and if it was a mess, turn around and drive 10 minutes to home.

For us, coming from Philadelphia, it wouldn't have been so easy. But now I'm mad I didn't go!