Patch Readers Express Their Feelings On Inauguration Day

HARTFORD/TOLLAND COUNTIES, CT — As all eyes were directed at Washington, D.C. and the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Thursday, many people in northern and central Connecticut were expressing their feelings publicly, both in person and via social media.

"I am a Democrat who was a Republican for 40 years, so I think I can appreciate the other side's point of view more than many," Richard Tuthill of Bolton told Patch. "We Democrats must recognize that if we want to move forward and accomplish the things that need to be done for this country, that we must work with Republicans. To do that we must recognize many of their concerns such as border security, our relations with China, and the inequitable distribution of opportunity. This does not mean that Democrats must compromise on their agenda to solve the problems of race, immigration, and combating extremism; but, it does mean that we need to work really hard to find common ground with Republicans, where it exists, so that the current opportunity for collaboration is not wasted."

Lisa Fagan of Farmington told Patch, "I love my country and I hope and pray we can all unite in the future towards policies that work for America without dividing America. That is our greatest challenge."

"Watching this historic day with joy!" Claudia Bernstein of South Windsor wrote on Facebook. "When done, I am going to the store. I will throw myself a farewell party, red carpet on driveway."

Priscilla Charlier of the Eagleville section of Mansfield wrote, "A new beginning today for our nation with hopes of unity and healing."

"I urged the kids to watch our new vice president and president get sworn in because this is a huge part of history," Jessica Golas of Vernon wrote. "I am not embarrassed to admit that I cried tears of hope, relief and unity watching it."

Dave Jensen was skating on the frozen pond behind St. Martha's Church in Enfield, wearing his old Fermi High School hockey jersey and carrying a hockey stick with an American flag replacing the blade. He waved the flag at passing vehicles, eliciting a number of waves and horn honks in return.

"I'm skating with the flag because democracy has prevailed," the U.S. Army veteran said. "I served in Germany for three and a half years with a Pershing nuclear unit, and my dad was in the Korean War, for spreading democracy. As my dad would say, and I totally believe, 'We all may have different political beliefs; that's why they make chocolate and vanilla, or chardonnay and cabernet. But we are all Americans and should act like it.' So I celebrate in my own way."

Patch editor Tim Jensen contributed to this story.

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