Obama & Me: Future president left a lasting impression

Maureen Houston | Belleville News-Democrat

Have you met the future president? A lot of metro-east folks have.

They shook his hand as he campaigned to be a U.S. senator four years ago and as he campaigned to be president. They met him at a park in Caseyville, a church in East St. Louis, a union hall in Granite City, a school in Belleville. They happened upon him in a hotel dining room in Marion and at a Chicago museum.

They asked him to autograph books and placards. Oh, and could he pose for a picture? Sure, no problem.

Just before the inauguration, we're sharing their photos and thoughts on President-elect Barack Obama.

A prayer for the new president

The Rev. John Rouse, dressed in his black robe, was ready a couple hours before state Rep. Wyvetter Younge's funeral service at his East St. Louis church on a mild January Saturday.

Mourners stopped to chat with him.

Police officers discussed contingency plans. What if president-elect Barack Obama were to show up?

Read the complete story at bnd.com

tool goes here

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

We welcome comments. To post one, you must sign in using either your McClatchyDC login or your login for Facebook, Twitter or Disqus. Just click the appropriate box below.

Please keep your comment civil, short and to the point. Obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. If you find a comment abusive or inappropriate, please flag it for the moderator by placing your cursor on the comment, then clicking the "flag" link that appears. Thanks for your participation.