The day before the 2017 inauguration, staff at Congressman Bill Shuster’s officer kept busy giving out tickets for the event.
Staff said people sent in requests starting in September of last year and they had about 100 tickets available.
On Thursday they had distributed tickets to everyone on the list but there was one ticket left; belonging to the first name on the waiting list.
A hot ticket that was soon in the hands of Diane Turcovsky—but not for long.
“It’s exciting that we get to pick it up for him,” Diane said.
She was picking it up for her friend, Kim Reese, who was the first on the waiting list.
“He couldn’t get here in time to pick it up because he lives in Tyrone and so we came down to pick it up since we live in Hollidaysburg,” Diane said.
With short notice, Reese still had to pack for D.C. and drive to Hollidaysburg for his ticket.
Diane and her husband, Dan, waited for their friend.
When Reese arrived he marveled at his coveted pass that would give him an in-person first look at the Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States.
“I was really happy, I was looking forward to going, I was hoping I would go, I didn’t realize the tickets were that scarce,” Reese said.
Reese said it’s an opportunity of a lifetime.
“I think I’m going to be part of one of the greatest inaugurations in presidencies ever,” Reese said.
His wife and niece already had tickets and were halfway to the Capitol by now.
“I think as many people as possible, regardless of your politics, I think we need to support the new president and show some unity in this country,” Reese said.
Ticket in hand, Reese thanked his friends for their help, and he hit the road for the 2017 presidential inauguration.