Editor 's note : Taresh Moore is a student at Winston Salem State University in North Carolina . The 21-year-old senior traveled to Washington , D.C. , to attend the inauguration . Alfred Bouey is a World War II veteran and a grandson of slaves . WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Alfred Bouey , an 84-year-old African-American , still remembers the stories from his grandfather about the scars on his body from the beatings he took as a slave in the South . Bouey , of Oak Park , Illinois , attended Tuesday 's inauguration of President Obama . Words ca n't express his excitement and happiness about witnessing history . A World War II veteran , he never thought he would live to see a black president in America . Bouey grew up in Arkansas and saw racism firsthand . He witnessed his mother being mistreated by whites in the South , but he never saw her give up . He eventually left Arkansas for Chicago . Bouey attended the inauguration after winning Brookdale Senior Living 's Experiences of a Lifetime contest . Residents at various Brookdale Senior Living communities nationwide shared their experiences and submitted their wishes as part of the contest . Bouey shared his story and said he 'd like to be there when Obama was sworn in . `` My grandfather and grandmother were whipped and beaten , and had the scars to prove it , '' he said . With CNN.com 's help , Taresh Moore spoke with Bouey about the inauguration ceremony . Below is a transcript of their interview . Moore : How are you today ? Bouey : I 'm great . I could n't feel any better right now . Moore : How did it feel to take part in this historic inauguration ? Bouey : It felt very great . I ca n't find any words to express my happiness . I am speechless and full of joy . Moore : What will you remember most about the inauguration ? Bouey : I will remember that I was actually there . I lived to see this historic event . I 'm 84 , and I had the chance to witness this . Not too many people had that opportunity , and I am honored . Moore : How did you feel when you found out that you and your family were going to Washington , D.C. , to take part in the inauguration ? Bouey : I was happy . At first when I was asked to take part in the survey , I did n't mind sharing my story because I had many stories to share . When I found out I had the opportunity to go , I was very grateful . I could n't wait to get here . Moore : Did you ever believe you would live to see an African-American president in your lifetime ? Bouey : No . I never thought I would live to see one . Growing up , my mother wanted me and my brother and sister to get an education . And we all did . An education will take you far , and we see that it did for our new president and for me . But I 'm glad I lived to see this . It 's a wonderful experience , and I am very proud of it ! Moore : How was it growing up in the South ? Bouey : I was born in Philadelphia and moved to Arkansas at the age of 1 . Growing up , everything was segregated -- in the schools , restaurants and just everywhere . Blacks could n't do this and we could n't do that . I came to the point where I got tired of it all in the South and just moved away . I moved to Chicago on June 2 , 1946 . Moore : Was it better in Chicago ? Bouey : Yes , a lot better . Better opportunities for blacks . Moore : You have lived a life that has seen the scars on the body of a former slave , who was your grandfather , to seeing America 's first African-American president all in one lifetime . How does that make you feel ? Bouey : I feel that America has come a long way . And I mean a very long way . My grandfather had scars from slavery . My mother was n't a slave , but she still was beaten in the cotton fields . Beatings did n't stop for some years after slavery . But there are no slaves now . It shows the great progress this country has made . Moore : How do you think your grandparents and mother would feel to see the first African-American president ? Bouey : I believe it would mean more to them than it means to me because of how they were treated and the hard work they put in . This would be like their reward for all of the work and suffering they endured . Others , like Martin Luther King , who I marched with , would be very happy as well . Moore : How did you feel when President Obama was first elected ? Bouey : Well , I had tears of joy on Election Night . I cried . They almost had to mop up the floor due to all of the tears that came out of my eyes . It was just a great feeling . Moore : How do you feel about President Obama and the future of America ? Bouey : I feel that America is headed in the right direction . The youth are our future , and the youth in the African-American community has a great example of a role model to look up to . Any youth from any race can look to President Obama . They do n't have to sell drugs or other bad things . Be like Obama , get an education and succeed in life . Moore : Millions of people of all races filled Washington this weekend to witness history . Of those people , many white Americans filled the city to see a black man being sworn in as president . How does that make you feel ? Bouey : I feel happy . It shows change . It 's good to see the white Americans appreciate and show love to the new president . And it 's good to see everyone come together for a special occasion . We 're all equal , no matter what color your skin is . Moore : If you could say anything to President Obama , what would it be ? Bouey : I would say job well done . Our prayers are with you . Keep your faith in God , and he 'll keep you .