By Scott Shephard

To be honest, I still have I hard time believing that the President's visit to Watertown, SD, really happened. But the photographs seem to prove that he was here and I was a witness.

People in our community are still talking about Barack Obama's visit and there are a few recurring opinions: First, "Wow! This was so amazing!" Second, "His visit wasn't about politics and those who understood the significance of the President's visit were able to set their own politics aside." Third, it was a wonderful speech that was about the most important people in the Watertown Civic Arena on Friday afternoon - the graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute.

I am sure that I will never see another US president visit Watertown, SD. And I am also sure that I will never be able to photograph an event like this. Thanks, LuAnn Strait, for involving me. And though I doubt they'll see this, thanks to the White House staff for letting me have free range during the President's speech. And to the Secret Service agent on the second level who I passed more that 10 times on Friday afternoon, I'm hoping you at least smile when you're off the job.

Canon 5DIII 1/250s f/3.5 ISO800 200mm

Did you miss the speech? Take a few minutes to watch it here

Just want the audio file? Here you go