A middle aged woman sat on an uncomfortable stool wedged between two booths inside the Old Ebbitt Grill, a historical restaurant near the White House. Trump hat in hand, Laura Hayes patiently awaits her son to march by the window as a member of the Virginia Military Institute. 

“I am so incredibly proud of him,” Hayes said. 

“Political views aside, I’d be cheering with him, no matter who was president!”

The Grills’ four main windows were crowded with bystanders being pushed aside by customers with reservations. Camera flashes and police sirens engulfed the right wing of the restaurant. 

Hayes’ son, Drew, is three years into his career as a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute. Next year Drew will become an active member of the Navy.

She received a text from her son telling her he would be in the 11th row of the second battalion. She replied with affectionate emojis, then looked up and propped her HD camera against the window. 

Hayes, along with her husband, whose name is also Drew, explained that it has been a shame walking through the streets of D.C., constantly receiving backlash for whom they choose to support.

“I feel as though the respect is not mutual,” Hayes said. 

“My son is training to fight for this country and he, along with me, should never feel ashamed of who we choose to vote for, ya know?” 

The Old Ebbitt Grill was infiltrated with Trump supporters cheering and shouting, drawing the staff into their celebrations. The enthusiasts grew impatient after realizing the parade was  delayed, due to protesters and riots. This impatience dissipated once President Trump and First Lady Melania got out of their car to walk along side participants of the parade. 

Hayes and her husband would have to wait until 6:30 before their son would march up 15th Street.

“We’re going to be sitting here for about another 2 to 3 hours,” Hayes said. 

“But we don’t mind, we get to witness a historical event and now watch our son make a little history of his own.”