Tuesday’s historical inauguration of Barack Obama as America’sfirst black president is inspiring people all over the country, andBrookhaven is no exception.

Albert Brown Jr., of Brookhaven, said he will definitely bewatching the inauguration events at his home. Brown said he likesfeeling as though he has a president who has a vision he can relateto.

“If you listen to his plans, what he says makes sense,” he said.”I like how he plans to fix the economy and create jobs. I’mlooking forward to everything he says he’s trying to do.”

Brown isn’t alone. Many Brookhavenites believe Obama’s plans andgoals are putting the country on a path it needs to follow: One ofhope, change and prosperity.

“I feel great about this,” said trucking instructor Robert Clay.”He’s about helping everybody and as the world is now, everybodyneeds help. I think he’ll get America back on its feet.”

Teresa Smith said she had a chance to go to Jackson when theObama was campaigning. It was a day she’ll never forget, shesaid.

“I was able to reach over the barriers and I hugged Obama,” shesaid. “I’m going to keep the shirt I wore that day forever.”

Smith said the momentousness of both the hug and Tuesday’sinauguration are not lost on her.

“I’m very excited about this day because he’s made history,” shesaid. “A lot of people never thought we’d have a black president,and we owe this day to the work of our forefathers. It’s a dreamcome true.”

Shirley Butler said she feels like Americans need to see a newface leading the country as it is. She said she believes Obama justmight be the right guy.

“It’s time for a change,” she said. “And I hope this time it’sfor the better.”

Brookhaven’s Patrick Bratton said he and his family will also begathered around the television to watch the events of Tuesday. Hesaid he feels Obama is the people’s president, as many of his plansfor change seem aimed at helping middle class Americans during atime of economic recession.

“These are the people that punch the clock to provide for theirfamilies and still barely have enough money to do it,” he said.”Hopefully Obama can do as he says he will and boost our economyand help bring jobs in to our communities.”

Clay said he actually had a chance to attend the inauguration,as a friend of his asked him to drive his bus north to Washington,D.C. Clay declined, but he said he will still spend the daycelebrating history in the making.

“I’ll be home watching it for sure,” he said.

Brown said the ceremony and surrounding events will be the focusof his day Tuesday.

“All day long, on the big screen television,” he said. “This isa great day for all Americans.”

And people are truly relating to the nation’s new president on apersonal level. Smith said not only is Obama’s ascent to thepresidency a dream come true for Americans, but it has inspired herdreams as well.

“I had a dream that I was doing his little girls’ hair,” shesaid. “Now I just have to figure out how to make that dream cometrue.”