Posted on 08/26/2012 12:49:43 PM PDT by InvisibleChurch
State funerals, held in the US capital Washington DC, are steeped in tradition and usually only held for former presidents, the last being Gerald Ford in 2006.
The last non-president to be granted one was Gen Douglas MacArthur, the Second World War and Korean War soldier, in 1964, five years before Armstrong landed on the moon. Such an event typically involves pall-bearers from five branches of the US Armed Forces, a series of artillery salutes, a fly-past and a number of bands and choirs.
The flag-draped coffin is taken in a horse-drawn gun-carriage and placed in the Capitol rotunda for a public viewing, and a service is held at the Washington National Cathedral. Bill Johnson, a Republican congressman from Armstrong's home state of Ohio, led calls for the astronaut to get a similar honour.
"I ask President Obama to hold a state funeral for Neil Armstrong so that every American may pay tribute to this groundbreaking hero," he said. "His first step on the moon showed the world that Americans can do anything."
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
If anyone deserves it Armstrong does if its what his family wishes.
I can think of few men ever that should be Honored more than Neil Armstrong. A giant among men. A state funeral is the least we can do for the memory of such a man.
Agree. But he’s white and spoke out against zobama gutting NASA.
IMO, never happen, to busy dividing the country.
I would be for this as long as the tax payers don’t pay a dime. If a fund could be set up for donations and family pays some than I think it is a great idea. 16 trillion is coming upon us fast and we cannot afford to do things like this and other goodies. Those days MUST be over.
Obama’s into strong-arm, not Armstrong...
It’s hard to imagine Jimmy Carter deserving one if Armstong doesn’t. Carter isn’t worthy of attending Armstrong’s funeral.
Here’s an idea, why not ask the family what they want instead of some publicity-seeking congresscritter? I would agree that Armstrong deserves all the honors the country can bestow on him. But he’s spent the last 40 years avoiding the glare of the public spotlight. I doubt that he’d want to change that on his death, and his family would be the best judge of that. Ask them, and then do exactly what they suggest.
It will happen if there’s political gain for him, that’s the only consideration here.
from what i’ve read of the man, i’m fairly certain Neil wouldn’t want an overt ceremony.
of course, 0bama trotting out the coffin of the first man on the moon as he shutters NASA seems 100% accurate
Agreed. There is no doubt that Neil Armstrong deserves the honor, but the wishes of his family should be respected.
Will the Kenyan Caliph do it? As one poster pointed out, he will if he thinks he can milk it for political points. Besides, NASA is about muslim outreach now, not heroes like Neil Armstrong.
I can’t imagine Neil Armstrong wanting a state funeral. He’s a man who repeatedly shunned the lime-light, and resisted opportunities to cash in on his deeds. Sadly, I can just as easily envision his Apollo 11 crew mate, Buzz Aldrin, relishing an opportunity for a state funeral. While Brigadier General Aldrin has been a staunch supporter of the space program, he’s also the guy who “retired” to Beverly Hills, and has lent his name to a variety of projects and schemes, including a rap record that was tied into space exploration.
Unfortunately for Buzz, #2 on the moon doesn’t entitle one to a state funeral.
I agree, but hope that it wouldn’t lead to the same consideration for national embarrassment John Glen who turned himself into a liberal pawn for Bill Clinton.
I disagree in this type of case. However, when Mr. Obama dies, either the NAACP, CP-USA or United Nations should pay for that funeral. LTJG Armstrong deserves a state funeral or nobody does.
If the family likes this idea, great. Otherwise, just have a special ceremony in the fall and put a plaque or a statue somewhere and let them have a private memorial.
I don’t have a problem with a state funeral for Armstrong, but I would be concerned about the precedent that would be set. Yes, I read the article. I am talking about in the future. I have NO confidence in any Democrat President to only do state funerals for exceptional people. Perhaps there is something else, short of a state funeral that could be done.
I think Presidents should. Astronauts not so much.
Say what you want about his ONE major accomplishment, but one mission which was pretty much based on the luck of the draw does not rate a state funeral. It’s not like he did it on his own; there were MANY people behind the scenes who should receive more credit for man walking on the moon.
If he rated a state funeral, there’d be at least 100 per year for others at least as accomplished.
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