UPDATE, Wed. 9:00 A.M.:  Bill Roy, Jr. writes to tell P.B. his blue inaugural ticket didn't do him any good either.

   Like the Zollars, Roy attended the Midwestern Ball -- where the First Couple did appear just before midnight eastern time.

   Have an inaugural tale of woe?  Post it below!

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    Bill and Beth Zollars didn't end up in the Tunnel -- but one week ago today both missed Barack Obama's oath and Inaugural speech, despite clutching purple tickets promising them a view of same.

   "It really got hairy when everybody started rushing toward the purple gate, only to find out it was closed," Beth Zollars recalled Tuesday.

   The Zollars live in Leawood.  Bill, of course, runs YRC Worldwide here. 

   They obtained tickets for the purple viewing area on the Capitol grounds, where they would have had a primo spot to watch Obama become the nation's 44th president.

   Alas, it was not to be.  For reasons that still aren't clear, thousands of purple ticket holders were blocked from the ceremony -- some trapped for hours in a tunnel that runs under the National Mall.

   The Zollars didn't end up underground, but at 1st and D NW, about five blocks from the Capitol.

   "I'm frustrated.  Disappointed.  Obviously there are bigger issues we need to take a look at right now," Beth said.  "I'm not certainly looking for any compensation...I think what would make it up for me is validation that somebody did screw up."

   Officials have promised to look into the problems for thousand of ticket holders -- purple, blue, silver, whatever -- who were denied access to the ceremony.

   There were early suggestions that would-be viewers would get a signed picture, or something. 

    Beth Zollars wants something else.

   "Basically just admitting it and finding out what caused it...thankfully nothing did happen because we all said it was really a horrific experience."