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They could just watch it from the couch.

No one's making them stand out in the cold on a day when the high might be in the 20s, or brave the horrors of Beltway traffic, or endure security sweep after security sweep.

They go because they have to go.

The inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on Tuesday is proving to be an irresistible event for millions of people across the country, including many in the Triad.

Many have never gone to an inauguration, but in the elevation of an African American to the highest office in the land, they see history in the making.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime situation for me," said Bob Davis, a sociologist at N.C. A&T. "I want to be there for this one."

Davis remembers growing up decades ago in Louisiana, when the notion of a black president seemed beyond distant.

To be there now, when Obama takes the oath, was an opportunity that could not be missed, he said.

But it's not just those with long memories who are excited about the inauguration.

"It's just tremendous. I'm incredibly excited," said Savannah Brown, a freshman at McMichael High School in Mayodan. "I'm gonna write everything down because it's so overwhelming."

Savannah, who wants to be a historian and is interested in American history, is attending the inauguration with other students as part of the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference.

With estimates that

2 million to 4 million people will be in the city, the chances of meeting Obama are slim.

But one can always dream.

"I'm so hoping I get to meet him. That would be amazing," Savannah said. "I'd be speechless. I honestly don't know what I would say to him."

The logistical issues involved can be daunting.

Some roads in the District of Columbia will be closed, traffic backups could extend far beyond the city, and hotels have been charging exorbitant rates.

Still, those issues didn't serve as a deterrent to those going, and the general attitude is that any inconveniences pale to witnessing a historic moment.

Clyde Ward, who teaches eighth-grade social studies at Southwestern Randolph Middle School, is going up with a fellow teacher and plans to sleep on the floor of a friend of a friend's hotel room.

"To say that I was there and I saw it, even if it was from a side street on a video screen, is great," Ward said. "I couldn't be more excited. I know the crowd is going to be the biggest thing I've ever seen, and I'm trying to brace myself for it."

He is going with a fellow teacher, and both plan to report back to their classes.

Ward said the inauguration and the fact that Obama will be the country's first black president after more than two centuries will make great material for classroom discussions.

"That's what we do," he said. "We get to talk about the good and bad things in our country."

Not all of those attending supported Obama during the election, including the teacher Ward is traveling with.

"He's a hard-core Republican," he said.

Joshua Jones, a freshman at Northwest Guilford who is attending the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference, also favored McCain but is nonetheless excited.

"I just think it's great because we'll witness history," Joshua said.

Though the crush of people is expected to be considerable, that's not necessarily a bad thing, those attending say.

Davis, who is going with his wife and another couple, said the event can have tremendous symbolic value.

"I just hope that we see the diversity and differences that are so apparent in this country come together in a very harmonious way," he said.

Davis is interested in Obama's address, but as a sociologist, he's also interested in "what kind of dialogue is going on in the area around me."

Ultimately, the sight of Obama ascending to the highest office in the land - whether witnessed from Capitol Hill or from the sofa - sends a powerful message, he said.

"It speaks volumes for opportunities. This is an example that you can get to the top of the heap," he said. "It's symbolic ... not only for people like me but for youth coming up, 15, 16, 17 years old."

But for those attending, you can't beat being there. It might be cold, it might be crowded, but when you're in the middle of history, you don't care.

"We're anticipating a celebratory atmosphere," Ward said.

Staff writer Jonnelle Davis contributed to this story.

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or at jason.hardin@news-record.com