Witnessing History Through Service

We're talking about the volunteers, some 15 thousand of them, from all walks of life.

Their backgrounds may run the gamut but each and every person who showed up to the Washington Convention Center for volunteer training shares the same desire. "I want to be a part of history," says one woman. Her friend added, "I volunteered because I felt like I had to give something back to the community."

For many, January 20th, will indeed be a day of firsts. A Georgetown University student says of her first inauguration in which she'll be volunteering, "I can't even believe how many people there are going to be. It's a great city. I love it." A Gaithersburg man adds, "I work with the youth so I want to inspire them to come out and do things like this as well."

As for what these volunteers will be doing, jobs range from directing the crowds on the mall and along the parade route to pointing out metro stations and driving between hotels.

"It'll be nice to help people out. It'll be very crowded, very confusing," says one woman.

Also hoping to make a difference is 84 year old Dorothy Taylor, a retired White House security guard. "I've done it for others, I'll do it for him! Oh yes, I can do it for him. this history will never be repeated," Ms. Taylor says.