HOMAGE TO A GREAT PRESIDENT, a view of the midnight lying in state

This a quick note to Freepers. I went last night to pay my respects to President Ronald Reagan lying in state at the Capital Rotunda. I got there about midnight and ended up driving all the way and found plenty of parking across from the Capital at Union Station off Louisana Ave. I live locally in Maryland and thought after watching the local 10PM news, Why Not?. I had hoped the lines would not be long since the heat has been so horrible. The heat yesterday was 97 degrees and humidty about 90%. This was just about the worst of washington DC area weather had to offer for all the out of towners.

It took about about 4 hours and the were plenty of volunteers walking the lines with water. They had skids of water bottles lined up all around the Capitol and Independance Ave.

I was so impressed with manners of the crowd. Extremely polite and friendly. Spoke with two men from Colorado and Indiana who had flown and drove all the way here to pay their own respects. Another person was from Pennsylvannia. Some people were reading non fiction books that were 800 pages tomes about War. They had those clip on reading lights. Children from baby to teenagers and some Boy Scouts from Troop 1983 Nations Capital Council were there. There were a pair of blind people with their canes. They did not have any trouble and another couple that were deaf behind me. Also saw a couple of wheelchair bound people helped by their own family. The crowd ages ranged from the very young to 60 years old. Remember this is after midnight. Children were very quiet and well mannered , which absolutely amazed me.

One we entered the Rotunda, you could have heard a pin drop. Very beautiful setting. The scene from the steps looking over the Mall to the Monument was spectacular. I wish I could have taken my camera.But they had warned about not having cameras, so I carried very little. The police were very nice and respectfull. Even through the three search of any bags.

I just thought that a first person perspective would be interesting to all those here on Free Republic.

I am really glad that I took the time to see President Ronald Reagan casket to say a final goodbye to my favorite and the greatest President.

I'm watching FOXnews and they're now estimating even larger numbers due to the cooling temperatures. They're estimating over 5,000 per hour now.

Most amazing is the mixture of people I've seen. Late last night on C-span I saw a group of guys that looked like rastafarians stop, bow their heads and put their hands over their hearts.

2 posted on 06/10/2004 2:43:36 PM PDT by cripplecreek (you tell em i'm commin.... and hells commin with me.)

i've been watching and i'm so sad and so mad at the same time... sad because such a great man died and angry because there are so many people of ALL walks of life and color; the libs kept blabbing on and on for years about how racist President Reagan was, as well as being in the pockets of white businessmen ... the libs will get their comeuppance on Judgement Day

3 posted on 06/10/2004 2:48:01 PM PDT by InvisibleChurch (I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it)

Children were very quiet and well mannered , which absolutely amazed me.

When in Simi Valley I joked with others that as many children should be brought as possible because it really ticks the libs off ROFLMAO

Thank you for your post and for your respect paid to this most wonderful man.

5 posted on 06/10/2004 3:14:21 PM PDT by proudmilitarymrs (If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier.)

Thank you for your post, I truly wish I could have been there.

I am thinking that some of what we are seeing, is the beginning of the Second Reagan Revolution....I sure hope that I am right.

Thank you for your report. I am so glad that you and others of the FreeRepublic family are able to attend and report on the experience.

7 posted on 06/10/2004 3:59:34 PM PDT by NonValueAdded (Ronald Wilson Reagan (1911-2004))

Thank you. I wish I could have been there...

8 posted on 06/10/2004 5:22:56 PM PDT by Clint Williams (Reagan is survived by his wife, 3 children, and the 10^8s of people he saved by winning the cold war)

Thanks for the report, Rhiannon ... for those of us unable to be in Washington, your words are the next best thing ...

10 posted on 06/10/2004 5:49:26 PM PDT by Pegita ('Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word ...)

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