A truck driver from Taylor played a prominent role Saturday on president-elect Barack Obama's whistle stop train bound for Washington and his inauguration as the nation's 44th president.Teamster Roy Gross and his girlfriend, Paula O'Rourke, were among 41 "everyday" Americans riding on a 137-mile train trip from Philadelphia to the capital.
The best moment so far for Gross came at a stop in Wilmington, Del., when Obama, speaking to a crowd, mentioned him by name.
"I wasn't expecting it," said Gross, who was standing near the president. "I burst into the biggest grin."
Obama said he would carry the stories of Gross and other everyday Americans with him into the White House.
Obama told the crowd, "Roy has watched as his friends have lost jobs, while the plants have shuttered their doors. He wants to see American industry build the cars of tomorrow and jobs that let working people leave their children a better life. We will carry his story with us to Washington."
Obama and his wife, Michelle, strolled through the train car in which the Michigan couple rode. Gross and the others sang "Happy Birthday" to Michelle Obama, who turned 45 Saturday.
Gross got two autographs from the president-elect, and one from Joe Biden, the vice president-elect.
The trucker will attend inaugural festivities through Tuesday, when Obama and Biden and are sworn in and host 10 inaugural balls. Among Gross' favorite souvenirs so far are the security credentials he has to wear. He also was thrilled to be part of a presidential motorcade that took Obama and his entourage to speak to a crowd in Baltimore.
"You don't want for red lights in a motorcade, that's for sure," said Gross, who munched on sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies and pop for lunch on the train as he waved from the window to well-wishers who hoped to get a glimpse of Obama.
No comments:
Post a Comment