When Keats Prill arrived downtown Colorado Springs Wednesday in the pre-dawn calm, she knew she’d get tickets to see President Barack Obama’s commencement speech during the upcoming Air Force Academy graduation.

She just didn’t know waiting in line for nearly two-and-a-half hours would be so enjoyable. A first for her in El Paso County, Prill found herself surrounded by Democrats.

“It’s so nice,” she said. “I don’t have to hold my tongue.”

Hundreds of people lined up outside the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC’s office, waiting anxiously for their share of 500 tickets to the May 23 graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium.

The first couple arrived at 4:30 a.m. outside the doors of 6. S. Tejon St. Over the next few hours, a line snaked around the corner and west down Pikes Peak Avenue, reaching a parking lot halfway down the street.

Most left empty handed.

Tickets were limited to four per person — leaving Maj. John Chamberlin, a language professor at the academy, with high hopes he’d secure some for a fellow professor who was administering a final exam Wednesday morning. His friend was busy Tuesday when tickets were given to academy staff.

Chamberlin arrived at 7:30 a.m. for the 8 a.m. door call.

The giveaway started a few minutes early and the tickets were gone by 7:57 a.m.

“Plan C time,” said Chamberlin, who got no tickets.

An offering on Thursday of leftover tickets was cancelled after Wednesday’s rush. For those lucky enough to get tickets, the wait proved worthwhile.

Prill admitted that she leads a bit of a closet life as a proud Democrat in a county where just 22 percent of the registered voters are in her party. In 2008, her Obama bumper sticker was torn off her vehicle and she’s not sure if she wants to chance another one. Lawn signs also are probably out, she said.

“Most places around here, you are hesitant to say publicly that you support him,” she said.

While most of those seeking tickets supported the president, Will Lamdin, a Republican, kept his politics to himself for much of the morning. He’s planning on voting for the Republican nominee, who will likely be Mitt Romney.

Lamdin said his daughter, a Democrat, was out of town and asked him to get tickets, although he’s also planning to go. He joined the line about 6 a.m.

“He’s a wonderful speaker,” he said. “Even if I don’t support everything he does.”

Prill, who was standing close to Lamdin in line, was surprised to hear a Republican was there.

“You’re a Republican,” she said, suddenly realizing all of the political views she had been espousing to him all morning. “That’s awful.”

“Let’s just say that I love my daughter,” he said with a smile.

People line up around the block for tickets Wednesday morning to the AFA graduation where President Barack Obama will give the commencement speech. (Maria St. Louis-Sanchez, The Gazette) Photo by