‘I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: passion.‘

Cheers, jeers and tears rang, hissed and flowed Tuesday as a pride of Barack Obama supporters partied their candidate into the Oval Office.

“This is an important day for the country and the culmination of all we’ve worked for,” enthused JJ Towler, who hosted the Inauguration Day get-together of campaigners and partisans in her Charlottesville home. “It’s important for me because, when I got involved in this campaign, it energized me. I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: passion.”

Passion was as plentiful as two dozen vociferous and animated proponents of the new president reacted to the images on a big-screen TV.

Former President George W. Bush brought boos and hisses and a chorus of the 1960s pop music hit “Hey, Hey, Goodbye.” Obama’s appearance elicited shouts and cheerful hoots that drowned out the patter of television commentators.

“When I first saw Obama give his speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, I was impressed. I knew he was going to be running some day, but I didn’t know it would be this soon,” Jane McDonald said prior to the swearing-in ceremony. “What he said then and what he’s said since is a testament to what America is supposed to be. He’s kept his word.”

The celebrants met the ceremony with awe and respect. Obama’s recitation of the oath of office, his speech and Aretha Franklin’s singing of “My Country ’Tis of Thee” left no eye dry. The partygoers even sang their own version of the hymn “We Shall Overcome,” putting the verb into the present perfect.

For some, the inauguration represented personal accomplishment.

“It’s a great feeling,” Towler said. “To see [Mark] Warner and [Tom] Perriello and Obama all elected was a great feeling. I still get teared up.”

For others, Obama’s election is salve for historical adversity.

“His election is proof that all of the hard work people put into integrating the schools and fighting for civil rights has paid off,” said Ann Hope, 73. “I’m sad that the people like Drewry Brown, those who worked so hard to make this day possible, aren’t here to see it. So many of the people who really suffered under segregation never got to see this day.”

Some see the new president as a sure sign of change.

Mary “Suzy” Shettig’s father toiled in the Georgia and Florida political systems, never rising above state representative because of religious prejudice: He was Catholic.

“When John F. Kennedy became the first Catholic president, I knew it was just a matter of time before more changes came and this day arrived,” said Shettig, 86. “This is a great event and a great day. It’s something people would never have considered years ago. It makes us realize who we are and where we are. I want to know where we’re going from here.”

Hope is pretty sure she knows where the country is going.

“I think we’ve entered a whole new era and I have great hope for the country and the world,” she said. “I think this proves that one person can make a difference. One person can change the world.”