On Tuesday, two Chaskans had a front seat to history. Chaska High School teacher Rachel Harvieux and former Chaska City Administrator/Jonathan Association Director Jim Main were both in Washington, D.C. to be a part of inauguration day.

They joined millions of others who descended on the nation’s capital to see Barack Obama become the 44th president of the United States of America, but unlike many, Harvieux and Main were in town with jobs to do.

Teaching

Harvieux made her way to Washington, D.C. via Close Up, a non-profit organization that uses the city as a classroom to teach students about democracy. Harvieux has worked for the group off and on since 1997. So when they called and asked her to join them again during inauguration week, she jumped at the chance.

“I can’t miss this opportunity,” she said. “This is an inauguration for a lifetime – no matter who you supported.”

Harvieux got tickets to the holding pen (an upgrade from the Washington Mall) from Rep. John Kline’s office. She hoped to bring some students along with her, but knew early on those students wouldn’t be from Chaska. District 112’s field trip policy doesn’t allow Harvieux to take students from Chaska with her, she said. “I’m disappointed in that,” she said. “It’s a missed opportunity.”

Harvieux knows the wonder of Washington, D.C. and the power of the Close Up program.

“For a lot of kids, it’s life changing,” she said. “It’s totally authentic. Learning for learning’s sake.”

Not only does it offer a chance to earn college credit, but it gives students an insider’s view of the city and its operations, she said.

“There is such a connection you feel to your country when you’re there,” she said of Washington, D.C. “Everywhere you go reminds you that you are in America.”

“Students bring that passion and enthusiasm back to their school.”

Harvieux imagined that experience would be magnified during inauguration events.

“It will be a reaffirmation of what we are as a country,” she said.

Marching

While Harvieux was set to watch the inauguration, Main was preparing to march in the inaugural parade.

As a member of the Get A Life marching band, based out of Portland, Ore., Main was honored to be taking part in this historic day.

“We are very excited,” he said. “The energy level with this group is very high.”

Main, who plays trumpet, and the other 100-plus members of his band represented the State of Oregon along the 1.5-mile parade route Tuesday afternoon. Main joined the adult marching band group when he moved from Chaska to Oregon four years ago.

“I didn’t have the foggiest imagination that I’d ever be doing this though,” he said. “How could you?”

The Get A Life band, one of about 100 marching groups selected from nearly 1,400 applications, played a medley of “We’re An American Band” and “Louie, Louie.”

“That’s what we’re playing for the prez,” Main said happily. “It’s a goofy song.”

As they searched for cheese steaks in Philadelphia Monday afternoon, Main said the group was full of excitement, no nervousness. They’ve played to plenty of large crowds before in places like Disney World and San Antonio.

“We mainly want to follow the rules and stay in straight lines,” he said.

Main’s group was scheduled to be third from the end of the parade, adding to several days of long waits, including a midnight bus ride and hours of security lines.

“We’re putting up with all this because it’s such an exciting thing,” he said. “It’s a real honor.”

Obama-crazy

Just an hour after being sworn into office, Harvieux was already making her way out of the crowded capital area with memories to last a lifetime.

Harvieux has been to inaugurations before, but knew that this one would be nothing like the inauguration of George W. Bush in 2001.

Long lines were the name of the game in Washington, D.C. Monday and Tuesday as Harvieux waited in line to pick up her tickets, to get on the subway, to get through security, etc. Despite leaving their Virginia hotel at 6 a.m., Harvieux said they should have gotten up earlier.

“The Metro [subway] took over an hour,” she said. “And just to get in the holding pen and through security took three hours.”

Harvieux’s patience was rewarded, though. “We’ve been meeting people from around the country and around the world,” she said. “Everyone’s been very pleasant.

“The moment [Obama] was inaugurated, everyone was screaming,” she continued. “It was such a moment of unity. A very defining moment.”

There were lighter moments as well, Harvieux noted.

“The Barack Obama memorabilia is hilarious,” she said, detailing everything from T-shirts with the First Family on them to puppets and even action figures.

“It’s definitely Obama-crazy here,” she said. “It’s nuts.”

-Mollee Francisco, staff writer