WASHINGTON, D.C. -- It was -- for all of them -- the chance to witness history.

A very real and personal history.

For a handful of area residents, Tuesday's inauguration of the country's 44th president was their chance to see history as it was being made. And while not all of them claim to be supporters of the new president, all acknowledge the historic spectacle of President Barack Obama's inauguration.

"There was more buzz and excitement than the last two (inaugurations)," said former Republican House member Thad Balkman of Norman. "Even nonpolitical or apolitical people are interested. My third and fifth grade children have been asking me all about it."

Balkman, who was in Washington, D.C., on business, said he went a day early just to witness the event.

"I'm working with several members of Congress who have asked us for input on amendments to the stimulus package," he said. "I'm meeting with them this week and thought, 'Why not go a day early and witness this historic event?' I'm a Republican, but I'm also a student of politics and an American."

Like millions more, Balkman said he, too, "recognize(s) this historic opportunity -- the inauguration of our nation's 44th and first African American president."

And while Balkman said he doesn't agree with many of President Obama's policies, he gives the new president high marks for being a "bright and inspiriting leader."

"I will support him where I can," he said. "President Obama has already shown his penchant for pragmatism working with Senator Coburn and re-appointing Secretary Gates. I expect and hope he will seek out and support the best ideas no matter which side of the political spectrum they come from."

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For Norman Democrat Laura Boyd, Tuesday was a moving opportunity to watch her nominee become president and, at the same time, remember her late father -- a civil rights activist who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"We were fortunate," she said. "It was amazing. It was overwhelming to turn around from in front of the Capitol steps and see a sea of flags; it was absolutely amazing. I did feel the spirit of my dad. I really thought of him when the President said 'we are here for all people.' My father would have been so happy."

Boyd said she also was touched by the new president's call for all Americans "to participate" in rebuilding the country.

"I loved that he's asking all Americans to be responsible, to participate in the work to come," she said. "There were many, many tears in the crowd; everyone was out there from toddlers, to individuals well into their 80s; there were all kinds of accents, backgrounds and ages."

And with "very cold, but perfect" weather, Boyd said she and her husband were "blessed" to witness to the inauguration.

"The weather was perfect, the sun shone and the sky was blue," she said. "And while we were there, the helicopter with President and Mrs. Bush went overhead, while we stood in front of the Capitol. Then, from somewhere, someone let loose a bald eagle. It flew right over us, right over the steps, then it disappeared."

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Even though Tuesday was her third presidential inauguration to witness, for Purcell Democrat Betty McElderry, it was probably the most powerful.

"I was wondering about whether or not to go," McElderry said. "And my son told me it was historical and that I needed to be there."

Her son was right.

There, among the crowd estimated at more than 2 million, McElderry -- a Democratic National Committeewoman -- said she was struck by the people who "just wanted to be there."

There were people with babies in strollers and people who brought their children. They said they just wanted to be there, they just wanted to be a part of history."

McElderry, who attended both inaugural ceremonies for then-President Clinton said Tuesday's celebration was "reaffirming everything we believe about America; we were just all celebrating together."

It was, she said, " a great way for a Democrat to celebrate her birthday."

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University of Oklahoma sophomore Rosie Sontheimer spent the week in Washington, D.C., just to see the inaugural.

But she only got as far as the couch at her aunt's house.

After "hanging out and seeing stuff all around D.C., for several days," Sontheimer found herself confined to the couch because of "some type of winter cold" on Tuesday.

"It's definitely kinda sad that I didn't get to go," she said. "But at the same time there's a little bit of relief because I didn't have to brave the cold and the crowds, but still got the D.C. experience."

Her aunt lived in northwest D.C. and was able to help Sontheimer recover.

And while she missed seeing the inauguration first hand, Sontheimer predicts she'll be back for another presidential swearing-in.

"I'm majoring in women's studies and politics," she said. "So I figure I'll be back for another inauguration. It's just right now, I've been getting all these texts asking what I think and I have to tell them that I missed it, that I'm home, sick."

M. Scott Carter 366-3545 scarter@normantranscript.com