Dwight Beal remembers when segregation was a dominant feature in American culture. After Tuesday, he has a different take on the future.

“I was born in 1956 in Mississippi,” he said. “I remember times I couldn’t go to certain restaurants and movies. To see the change over the 53 years, I can attest to the segregation. And, I can attest to the fulfillment of being given civil rights and a chance to live the American dream. This is a momentous day for all Americans.”

A special screening of the inauguration on Tuesday captured the attention of Beal and more than 40 employees at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center as the diverse crowd watched as Barack Obama was sworn in as the first African-American president of the United States.

Beal, chief accountant, said the event was the culmination of a long struggle.

“It’s America living up to what is stated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution,” he said. “We’re not all the way there, but we’re headed in the right direction.”

The inauguration was televised from the U.S. Capitol steps and the National Mall, which was flooded with thousands of people.

Peggy A. McCasland, president of the VA Employee Association, said the screening was set up at the medical center for several reasons.

“The VA Employee Association’s mission is to promote morale and fun,” she said. “We thought this would be fun as well as historic.”

McCasland said the inauguration held special significance for federal employees such as her and her husband Sean, who also works at the center. Her oldest son, Ryan Albright, is a sergeant in the U.S. Army in Iraq, and her younger son, James Alberty, had just been sworn into the Air National Guard that morning.

“We’ll never forget this day in history,” she said.

Pamela Wells, in a veterans training program, said that Obama’s presidency was a sign of national unity.

“We’re not hyphenated African-Americans; we’re Americans,” she said.

At that moment, the national anthem came over the television screen, and Wells stopped speaking to stand at attention and salute. Then, she continued.

“I look for great things for America.”

Pat Lewis-McLane, a registered nurse, said she appreciated being a federal employee and having an opportunity to watch history being made.

“There is going to be a new change today and a new direction,” she said. “The country is going forward.”

James Lewis, a volunteer and a veteran of the U.S. Army, said he was very aware that this inauguration was unique.

“When I was born, it was segregation,” he said. “To see a black president is a big deal for me.”