Thousands turned out in Leesburg Thursday night to hear President Barack Obama speak at Loudoun County High School, waiting in line for hours in the sweltering sun for the opportunity to cheer the commander in chief on in his campaign.

By the time the line diminished, it was standing room only, with supporters snapping photos, shooting video and cheering the president on with slogans of “Four more years” and “Fired up. Ready to go.”

Osako O Kenohe and Souioli Hilombo, natives of the Democratic Republican of the Congo who have been Loudoun County residents for 12 years, were first in line to get into the 30-minute event.

They had no political talking point motivation, just the once-in-a lifetime chance to see the president of the United States speak. The two got in line at 3 p.m. in preparation for the 7:45 p.m. event.

“I want to be here and see the president of America. I like it a lot,”  O Kenohe said.

The lines of people formed a camaraderie, despite the 90-plus degree temperatures wearing them down. Several people at the event had to be taken out by Loudoun Fire and Rescue for heat exhaustion.

By the end of the day, though, all said waiting in the long lines for hours was worth every minute.

“I’m not the fittest girl in the world, but I’ll walk a mile for my president,” said Ashleigh Reid of Purcellville.

Reid is the mother of twins who were born prematurely at 23 weeks. Although they’re now thriving, she said Obama’s stance on healthcare will immensely help her family.

“I worry about the preexisting conditions issues. That’s an issue I look out for—that if I switch jobs, I may not have insurance,” Reid said.

As the day wore on and the lines grew, stern debate among Romney supporters—rallying at nearby houses—and Obama fans began to emerge, although most seemed to end amicably.

Romney supporters lined the sidewalk with signs, sharing their dislike of the president’s policies.

Times-Mirror Photo/Jonathan Taylor Tom Whitmore of Manassas stands in line with with Obama supporters, showing his support for Republican candidate Mit Romney.

“We came here to let him know that we’re not really supporting him … I would say I think the will of the people is going to be heard more by Mitt Romney rather than the special interests like the unions and whatever other support the president has. The people have been largely ignored this last three and a half years where there’s been an obvious agenda,” said Tom Whitmore of Manassas, volunteer of the Year in 2010 for the 10th Republican District.

“… I want somebody who’s going to represent the American people and not their special interests and find ways to get around the Constitution,” Whitmore added.

The Republican supporters said they blame the president for four years of a bad economy.

“I don’t get out and do this much but I’ve had enough of the policies that are killing our families right now,” said Teri Christoph of Leesburg.

Standing beside Christoph, across the street from the line for Obama, was John Koltisko of South Riding, who held a sign that read “I built my own business” and another that placed the president’s picture beside a photo of Joesph Stalin.

“We’re not out protesting more than we’re out exercising our freedom of speech and our Constitutional rights to assemble peacefully,” Koltisko said, adding he believed Obama’s policies were un-American.

“Something tells me Virginia is going to be a big surprise for the Obama campaign,” he said.

But others had a different view, touting what they said was the president’s work for the middle class.

“Obama is for the middle class. He’s had to work for everything he has to get an education, to get everything,” said Aja Wade of Leesburg.

Just like four years ago, the crowd said they were there to help their president spread the word of hope for a better future.

“The thing I want America to know is he was born American. He was born to lead and he was born to be president. I’m very proud of him and I think he’s sincere. When I think of the alternative I’m just frightened about it because they don’t relate to our goals and what we need,” said Pauline Buckingham of Lovettsville, a volunteer for the Obama campaign.

Dozens of supporters were given VIP tickets to the event, allowing them closer access to Obama.

“I had an opportunity and I took it,” said Steven Campbell of Leesburg who landed a VIP ticket to the event. “I like his positions. He’s changed things. I know it’s taken time but he’s starting to build for the better and things are starting to look up,”