2000 memory strong as ever

Diana Irey was touched by the sincerity of President Bush's first inaugural address.

Jim DeLattre recalls the president's attempt to unify the country following a really close election in 2000.

While both planned to be at home as President Bush took the oath of office for his second term, they intended to closely watch inauguration events.

Joyce Morich, of Daisytown, is in Washington, D.C., today for the inauguration, her husband Randy Morich told The Valley Independent this morning. She went with several employees at the Central Greene Elementary School.

"It was a once in a lifetime deal," Randy Morich said of his wife's trip to the inauguration.

Sue and Michael Toth, of Carroll Township, wanted to attend, but did not want to take their children out of school.

Sue Toth, a teacher at Monongahela Elementary Center, said she hoped to watch the president's speech during her lunch period.

Denise Scheiber, a social studies teacher at Monongahela Elementary, will videotape the inauguration and show it to students Friday. Scheiber, in teaching his students about elections, focused on the 2004 presidential election.

She chose that lesson after learning that many students did not understand the process. Students discussed issues, conducted polls and took part in a school-wide mock election. As he did in the general election, President Bush won the Monongahela Elementary School race, Scheiber said.

Students were most interested in the Electoral College, she said.

Scheiber said she would have loved to have attended the inauguration, but did not have the time.

Irey, too, would have liked to have attended today's ceremonies, but business commitments prevented her from doing so. Irey also attended the inauguration of President George Herbert Walker Bush in 1988.

"The speech President George W. Bush gave was just an incredible pledge to the people," Irey recalled. "It showed his integrity and his service to the people. I think he has held up to that pledge he made to the people that day."

Irey said she will always remember being in Washington D.C. to witness history being made.

"At the ball, people were so excited," Irey said. "It was just invigorating to be around people who share your sentiment about the president and his commitment to the people."

Irey met President Bush personally the day before the General Election in November. She told the president her daughter was leading a debate at Ringgold High School in which her team represented the Bush campaign.

"He said, 'Tell your daughter the commander-in-chief says thanks,'" Irey recalled.

DeLattre recalled that rainy, muddy conditions did not deter people from celebrating the 2000 event.

DeLattre was close enough to see Bush deliver his inauguration speech.

"The thing I was impressed with was his statement about bringing the country together," DeLattre said.

The owner of JED Heating and Cooling said he is looking forward to today's inaugural address and hopes to watch it amid his busy work schedule.