Amazing things have happened over the last 10 years: Obama | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Amazing things have happened over the last 10 years: Obama

Washington | ByPTI, Washington
Jan 23, 2017 09:00 AM IST

Observing that amazing things have happened over the last 10 years, the former US President Barack Obama today said that all this could be accomplished because of the hope and believe that his country had in him.

Observing that amazing things have happened over the last 10 years, the former US President Barack Obama said on Friday that all this could be accomplished because of the hope and believe that his country had in him.

President Barack Obama kisses first lady Michelle Obama as they await for the arrival of President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania on Friday at the White House in Washington.(AP Photo)
President Barack Obama kisses first lady Michelle Obama as they await for the arrival of President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania on Friday at the White House in Washington.(AP Photo)

“As I said in 2004, it wasn’t blind optimism that drove you to do all this work, it wasn’t naivete, it wasn’t willful ignorance to all the challenges that America faces. It was hope in the face of difficulty, hope in the face of uncertainty,” Obama said minutes before boarding the Air Force One for last time, as is customary for former presidents after demitting office.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Roughly 1,800 people, many of whom had served in the Obama administration, were waiting for him as Obama landed at the Andrews Air Force Base on a military helicopter from the US Capitol after he handed over the baton to Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States.

Former President Barack Obama waves as he boards a Marine helicopter on the East Front of the Capitol, Friday, in Washington, after Donald Trump was inaugurated. (AP Photo)
Former President Barack Obama waves as he boards a Marine helicopter on the East Front of the Capitol, Friday, in Washington, after Donald Trump was inaugurated. (AP Photo)

The attendees included many senior members of Obama’s White House staff, such as Denis McDonough, Valerie Jarrett, Susan Rice, Neil Eggleston, Jeff Zients, Megan Smith, Jen Psaki, Shailagh Murray and Josh Earnest, who had his son perched on his shoulders.

View gallery | ‘The work begins’: Donald Trump becomes 45th President of the US

Recalling the time when he began his journey, Obama said he “did so with an abiding faith in the American people and their ability, our ability to join together and change the country in ways that would make life better for our kids and our grandkids”.

Obama said the change didn’t happen from the top down but from the bottom up.

“All of you came together and you decided to believe. You knocked on doors, made phone calls, talked to your parents who didn’t know how to pronounce Barack Obama,” he said.

Meanwhile, Obama’s were headed to California for a vacation. They would soon return to Washington DC, where the former first family plan to stay in a rented house for their youngest daughter to complete her schooling.

“You proved the power of hope, and throughout this process, Michelle and we’ve just been your front men and women. We have been the face, sometimes the voice, out front on the TV screen or in front of the microphone,” Obama said.

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump see off former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama as they depart following Trump's inauguration at the Capitol in Washington, US. (Reuters Photo)
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump see off former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama as they depart following Trump's inauguration at the Capitol in Washington, US. (Reuters Photo)

“But this has never been about us; it has always been about you. And all the amazing things that happened over these last 10 years are really just a testament to you in the same way that when we talk about our amazing military and our men and women in uniform, the military’s not a thing, it’s a group of committed patriots willing to sacrifice everything on our behalf,” he said.

“We have got cool hardware, as cool as the machines as “We have got cool hardware, as cool as the machines as weapons and satellites are, ultimately it comes down to remarkable people, some of them a lot closer to Malia’s age than mine or Michelle’s. Well, the same thing’s true for our democracy,” he said.

The former president and First Lady then walked through a line of their supporters, formers aides, colleagues and friends, hugging and greeting them as they bid an emotional farewell to their former leader.

Several of Obama’s aides brought their young children, who were playfully greeted by Obama.

The former First Couple were then escorted by military personnel to a red carpet that lead up to the US air plane. Obama held Michelle hands as he walked along the red carpet, surrounded by military guards saluting their former Commander- in-Chief.

AS the Obamas reached the plane’s door, they stopped and turned around, smiling and waving goodbye, to the people gathered at the air force base and symbolically to Washington.

Read | Slogans against Donald Trump rock Washington; protesters in black smash stores, car windows

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On