We arrived in Columbia, Md. on Sunday, 1/18/09.  We took the bus, which we had paid $25 a seat, to Union Station.  We didn't arrive there until 8:00 am.  We walked toward the Capital, getting directions for the entrance to the mall.  After walking to several locations, we finally got to where the police officers said you had to go through security.  I got in line with a bunch of people and before I could get to the white tent whee secrutity was suppose to be, I got a call from the lady I was with (she did not get in line with me) that an announcement had came over TV that they weren't letting any more people into the mall.  I got out of line and we walked back to the capital.  I was able to see the processional when they drove up and the cannons that gave the salute, but that was all.  We were in a crowd of people behind the gates that they had up.  But I can still say I was there!

Charlena Hawkins