Cathy Jackman
Posted on 06/11/2004 1:50:12 PM PDT by Constitution Day
Cathy Jackman
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Somehow, somewhere in the hustle and bustle of preparing for a funeral, Cathy Jackman found the time to call her mother in Fayetteville on Thursday.
Within a few hours, Jackman was expecting to again be on national television, wearing a black suit and Army wives' scarf while walking arm-in-arm with first lady Laura Bush.
Jackman, a 1970 Terry Sanford High School graduate, has escorted President Bush and his wife at all of President Reagan's funeral proceedings.
Jackman's husband has had an even bigger job. Maj. Gen. Galen B. Jackman, the commander of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, is in charge of coordinating President Reagan's entire funeral and with escorting Nancy Reagan almost everywhere she goes.
 Pat Dowd talks to her daughter Cathy Jackman as she watches mourners pay respects to President Reagan on television.
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So please excuse Cathy Jackman's mother, Pat Dowd, if she seems a little bleary-eyed these days. She has been glued to the television - watching her daughter and son-in-law - since President Reagan died Saturday.
The tall, distinguished general with the white hair seen at Nancy Reagan's side all week is Dowd's son-in-law. The petite blonde seen sitting next to Laura and President Bush is her daughter.
Turn on your television and chances are you'll see Galen Jackman escorting Nancy Reagan somewhere - possibly during the procession at the Washington National Cathedral.
Dowd and her other daughter, Pam D'Alessandro, couldn't be more proud.
Proud of the important positions the Jackmans hold in this history-making event. Prouder still that Cathy Jackman has managed to call them whenever she finds a free moment.
Last Friday evening, Dowd said, the Jackmans were attending a big affair in New York when they received word that President Reagan's death was imminent.
The Jackmans were whisked from the gathering and raced by motorcade to the airport. Galen Jackman was flown to California to be by Mrs. Reagan's side, Dowd said.
Planning, preparing and pulling off a presidential funeral is a challenging job.
 Maj. Gen. Galen Jackman escorts Nancy Reagan on Wednesday as she arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
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"With Nancy Reagan, mainly because this was the love of her life, everything has to be absolutely perfect," D'Alessandro said.
The job wasn't made any easier by the fact that Galen Jackman has held the title of commanding general of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington for only a year. His predecessor had been practicing for presidential funerals throughout the past decade.
But so far, at least, everything has gone without a hitch, Dowd and D'Alessandro said.
The Jackmans may be novices at presidential funerals, but they have had plenty of experience with another type. Both preside almost daily at services for fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, Dowd said. She said her daughter escorted Laura Bush last month at the Memorial Day ceremony.
As Dowd and D'Alessandro talk, the phone rings. It's Cathy Jackman, ready to provide another update.
It's nothing new for Cathy Jackman to call her mother two and three times a day. She's been doing it since Dowd had back surgery two years ago and came to live with D'Alessandro and her husband, Robert.
But the calls have taken on added significance this week as a daughter explains the nuances of leading a funeral that has captured the world's attention.
Just before Dowd hangs up the telephone, she laughs and leaves her daughter with a request:
"If you get a chance, tell Laura and President Bush I said hello."
Ping... here it is!
CD
My 9 year son told me he would like to be in the military some day but he didn't want to make me sad if he had to go to war. I told him I would be sad and be worried for him and miss him but I would never be more proud of him then if he chose to serve our country in the military.
I also told him that if he died while fighting for our freedom, I could think of no more honorable way to die or anything more worth dying for.
MKM
My wife and I feel the same way; however, my wife says it was easier for her being the wife of a fighter pilot than being the mother of a Navy SEAL.
Thanks for posting this for me. I don't know the mother or her daughters but I know they are proud.
He was so tender with her it made my eyes well up.
Both of you had wonderful comments regarding the incredible way Maj. General Jackman took care of Mrs. Reagan.
I teared up when I read both of your comments.
He's done a good job, and he's not too hard to look at, either. :-) I was just telling my husband last night that I thought they found someone of just the right age and appearance to escort Mrs. Reagan. I'm sure it had to do with his rank and post, but it's good that they didn't get someone too young and good looking, or too old to look like he's up to the job. Like the baby bear's porridge, he's just right.
Yes, he was. The General is a true officer and gentleman.
You've said it all.
Just right is a very good description. He looks like someone from "central casting" for dashing officer. :) Of course, he is also the commander of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, DC and as such he was in charge of coordinating everything about the entire funeral in addition to escorting Mrs Reagan.
Major Gen. Jackson has done a superb job escorting Nancy Reagan. He never misses a beat.
Excuse me, Major Gen. Jackman.
Maj. Gen. Jackman did a splendid job.
BTW Fayetteville is a military town, adjacent
to Fort Bragg and its 82nd Airborne Division
plus special ops trainees.
He and all the other members of our military who have been involved in this week's events have made me so very, very proud of our armed forces.
God bless them and keep them!
Pingaling!
TO be honest I hadn't noticed the escort of the Bushes. But the general with Nancy had my attention -- he made me SO proud -- the respect and care he showed her was so beautiful to watch it brought tears to my eyes!
And MG Jackman has only been on the job for about a year!
Do you know - he will be in charge of the Inauguration for 2005 - and please dear God, let it be for Pres. Bush's second term.
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