Journal-News.com

Washington — Many arrived in the nation's capital last week with a single purpose — to witness the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama as the leader of the free world, the first black president of the United States.

But Springfield couple Frank and Sandi Wellington had a second mission — to get their two sons involved in the new president's call for Americans to engage in community service.

Both missions were accomplished.

On the eve of Obama's inauguration, the Evans brothers — Darius, 13, and William, 12, participated in the cleanup of Marvin Gaye Park, a recreational area in Northeast Washington named after the legendary singer who was fatally shot by his father in 1984.

"We got them registered for the service before we left Springfield," said Sandi Wellington, a member of Clark County Citizens for Change, a grass-roots organization formed in response to Obama's call to serve.

"It went very well," said Darius, an eighth-grader at Possum Middle School, who estimated that about 200 teenagers helped pick up trash around the park.

"It felt pretty good to help out in the community," said William, a seventh-grader at the same middle school. "I felt happy to go see the first black president get into office."

Their parents, who did not have tickets for Obama's inauguration, watched the event on television.

It never dampened their excitement.

"Even though we always said it was possible, we never thought it will happen this soon," Frank Wellington said.

His wife, Sandi, says Obama came at a time America needed a special person as president.

Former Springfield Mayor Dale Henry, agreed.

"I'm confident that he's going to make the kind of changes this country needs," said Henry, who shook off his disappointment of being dropped from marching with the Civil War Reenactors by finding the names of his great grandparents — George Farley of the 100th U.S. Colored Troop, and Samuel Bryant of the 117th U.S. Colored Troop — at the Civil War Memorial, which he visited while in Washington for the inauguration.

"(Obama's) given us hope in his ability to reach out and improve relations with foreign countries," Henry said. "I think that we are really fortunate to have him as our leader, and he will provide the kind of leadership that this country needs."