As she watches Barack Obama become the United States' 44th president today, Darlene Buhler will take special satisfaction knowing that two of her children are witnessing the historic event in person.
Both Christian, 16, and Charlie, 20, are attending today's inauguration in Washington, D.C.
"I'm proud that they have an opportunity to go," said Mrs. Buhler, a Mitchell resident. "I think it's wonderful.
The inauguration ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. (Central) today. Both Obama and vice president-elect Joe Biden will take the oath of office. The 56th Inaugural Parade will begin at 1:30 p.m.
While both will witness Obama's inauguration, the circumstances that brought the siblings to Washington are decidedly different.
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Charlie, a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame and South Dakota's contestant in the Miss USA 2008 pageant, got her ticket for the event through the office of Sen. John Thune.
Both Thune and Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., will attend the ceremony.
Christian will see the event as part of Presidential Classroom, a program designed to prepare high school students for leadership roles in public service and private enterprise. Charlie participated in the same program four years earlier.
Because the program is fairly self-contained, Charlie and Christian won't get a chance to see each other during the inauguration.
Still, Darlene said she and her husband, Carey, are thrilled that the pair will experience the historic event in person.
"I think this inauguration will transcend what your political views are," she said. "It's making history and I think Americans are embracing that."
Mrs. Buhler said that since her family is biracial, it may give her children a strong connection to the event as America swears in its first black president.
The historic and unprecedented nature of the inauguration means the event is something Charlie and Christian likely will be telling their grandchildren about, she said.
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"So many people have embraced the opportunity to be part of that so they can tell their children's children that they actually witnessed that," she said. "It's exciting."
