WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mt. Upton residents Gilda and Matthew Ward were among the thousands of attendees at the inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence last Friday, January 20 in Washington, D.C., and the couple has described their experience as “amazing.”

“It was amazing to be able to witness history in the making as we saw the peaceful transfer of power from President Obama to now-President Trump,” said the Wards. “Trump's inaugural address was inspiring, as were the prayers, presentations, and the music of the participants. Only a spit of rain started as Trump began his speech, and he asserted that rain showers are analogous to blessings and he saw that moment as a blessing for our nation.”

The couple described the security at the swearing-in to be very tight, requiring them to walk through “maze-like barricades” and go through a series of security checkpoints before finally being seated in their section in front of the Capitol Building. Nevertheless, the Wards say that they were able to sit in a good location with complete view of the day's festivities.

“The Capitol Building was decked out for the inauguration. The crowd was so excited, even boisterous at times, with loud cheers and chants that would start way behind us and move forward like an increasingly louder wave until our section was joining in the chants of 'USA!' or 'Trump, Trump, Trump!' It was so much fun to be packed elbow-to-elbow with like-minded patriotic supporters who were so excited to see the swearing-in of our new President, Donald Trump,” said the couple, who were diligent contributors to Trump's campaign as well as the campaign of now-Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.

“It was so heartening to see Congress seated behind the new President during the inauguration knowing that we worked on the campaign which helped Congresswoman Claudia Tenney get to sit there on the inaugural platform with the rest of Congress,” they said.