Jan. 20, 2009 was quite a historic day.

With the designation of the 44th president and first African American president, Barack Obama was sworn into office in Washington, D.C., amidst thousands of American supporters who traveled cross-country to be there.

In the minds of many people, the day will be remembered by where they were and what they did to celebrate this inauguration. I will remember rising early to attend the meeting of a group of men who came together on this day specifically to pray for our new president.

Todd Friesen, pastor of Mennonite Church, Steve Swanson of St. Paul Lutheran in Villa Park, Larry Lissak, deacon at St. Pius X Church in Lombard, Conner Simms of The Church in Addison, Tony Melton of Willow Creek in South Barrington, John Stoltzfus of Lombard Mennonite Church, David Brown of Lombard Gospel Chapel, and Rob Hatfield with the 1st Church of Lombard, gathered at 7 a.m. in the Lombard Village Hall representing people from all over our community to send a message of peace and strength to our new president through prayer.

These men gathered in a circle and each one prayed for our president, our nation, and for true peace on earth. They ended by joining hands and reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

Although only eight men met on that morning, this group actually consists of 30 men from all denominations throughout the western suburbs. They come together once a month to discuss the surrounding community and their churches. One of the main objectives is to promote solutions to problems found in all areas of the community. Some of their concerns have been domestic violence, school difficulties, and helping people work together. With the help of one another, this communication supplies them with the knowledge on how to help their individual congregations through many different aspects of life.

When I remember the inauguration of 2009, my thoughts will be on the gift those men sent to President Barack Obama, praying for him and peace for the world. I believe there is strength in numbers, so let us continue their mission and keep President Barrack Obama in our prayers, along with peace on earth.

Local writer published

One of the first people I ever remember writing about for this column was Lombard resident Diane Dassow. Her business, Binding Legacies, helps individuals remember and collect stories from their lives. With her skill as an interviewer, Diane pulls memories from the archives of your past and produces a book about an individual’s life that becomes a treasured heirloom.

In receiving word that one of her short stories was published, I was thrilled to meet her at the Glen Ellyn Book Store for her book signing on Saturday, January 31. The Association of Personal Historians, of which Diane is a member, collected real life stories, and presents them in the book titled, “My Words Are Gonna Linger, The Art of Personal History.” Diane’s story titled “One Small Step” is on page 272.

I have not yet finished the book, but it is wonderful. Each story wraps your heart around an incident in someone’s life. Many stories I identify with. They encompass all avenues of life.

What I really appreciate is that at the beginning of each story is an introduction explaining how the story came about. They also explain how important writing down our personal history is. If you are writing your own family history, this book could be an invaluable tool.

To find out more about Binding Legacies, go to the business’ Web site, www.bindinglegacies.com.

To purchase the book, visit the Glen Ellyn Book Store on Main Street or the Web site, www.personalhistorians.org.