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Woman wears shawl from Lincoln inaugural to Obama event

In March 4, 1861, as President Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office, a woman now known as Grandma Foy stood in the crowd in Washington, D.C., wearing a black Chinese silk shawl, according to the McKain family story. More than 21/2 years later, on Nov. 19, 1863, she wore the shawl as she listened to Lincoln give his short but famous Gettysburg Address.

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, as President Obama took the oath of office, Bellingham [Washington] resident Debe McKain attended an inauguration viewing event at the Mount Baker Theatre, wearing the same shawl.

"It was amazing to me, because I know how important Lincoln is to Barack Obama, so that's why I wanted to wear this, because I felt I would be more a part of history," she said.
Read entire article at http://www.mcclatchydc.com/