SPRINGFIELD - Whether they came from across the street or across several states, people all over ventured to Union Square Park on Tuesday to honor Abraham Lincoln and get a glimpse of today's prominent politicians.

Barb Cloyton, who claims to be a very distant cousin of Lincoln's, traveled from Des Moines, Iowa, to pay homage to her ancestor. Dressing the part, she wore a Civil War-period dress to the event.

"It's quite an honor to be here," said Cloyton, who discovered her relation to Lincoln in 1979 while researching her genealogy. Today she is a member of the Daughters Union Veterans of the Civil War, a group of direct descendants of Union Army Veterans. Her daughter, Belinda Boehler, is also a member.

"It's pretty wonderful to feel like you are part of that history," said Boehler, 25, of Springfield, who is one of the youngest members in the group.

G.A. Ada, a Chicago resident who was born in Nigeria, said Lincoln's push to end slavery was rooted in the idea that tribe, family or race no longer matter.

"We can aspire to be great without returning to this or that," he said. "Lincoln has done a great job."

Ada, who came to the United States 25 years ago, has tribal marks that scar both his cheeks. The marks denote family and tribe. Slave traders often read these facial marking when deciding who to kidnap and who went free, he said.

Lou and Joanna Berqez traveled from Sacramento, Calif., for the event and although the dedication was difficult to hear, they were still in high spirits.

"It was great what I heard of it," said Joanna Berqez. "And we're Democrats, but it was still good."

Several children missed a day of school for the dedication ceremony.

"We're going to learn a lot, more than we would at school today, that's for sure," said Tyler Walch, 14, of Raymond.

Chuck Bernardes of Springfield brought his little brother from the Big Brother Big Sister Program to the festivities.

"He's young and impressionable, plus the president's going to be in town and some of his favorite politicians that he knows are going to be here," Bernardes said. "He likes (U.S. Sen.) Barack Obama, but I came for George Bush."

Robert Johnson, a retired farmer from Springfield, was also impressed with Obama.

"Obama is pretty hard to beat from the standpoint of word choice and beauty of expression. Of course number one of all time was Abraham Lincoln, the most eloquent president," Johnson said. "That's a rare gift that only a few people have. I think maybe Barack Obama has that gift."

Jennifer Miller can be reached at jennifer.miller@;lee.net or 789-0865. Shelby Sebens and Matt Adrian contributed to this report.