Oregon Public Broadcasting

All kinds of Oregonians attended Tuesday’s inauguration: politicians; activists; and folk who just want to witness history. Kristian Foden-Vencil caught up with one National Guardsman.

Sergeant Patrick Lair is with the 115th Mobil Public Affairs Attachment. He was posted to Washington and charged with documenting the scene.

He says the crowds were so big, some metro exits had to be shut and trains were bumper-to-bumper – letting people off at the station gradually.

Patrick Lair: “I think it was just really a powerful experience. I’ve never been to D.C. before. There are just so many people here, and it was a really good atmosphere. A really friendly atmosphere. People coming up and shaking your hand. For the amount of people that were here, it’s just really impressive that there were no incidents.”

Lair says it was also very cold but people came prepared with hand warmers, hats and gloves. There were even warming tents -- if you could bear to stand in line to get in.