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 ...
Armstrong was arguably the greatest explorer since Columbus. He greatly risked his life for national prestige (and personal ambition, no doubt). He deserves a state funeral, but he probably did not want one.
Your comment about “a world state funeral” is interesting. Mr. Armstrong was truly a hero for all humanity.
I don’t know how such logistics could be worked out. I would not want the UN involved, obviously.
A State Funeral would, in any event, be a world funeral for this heroic American, whose heroism was not just based on being the first man to walk on the moon.
But, the bottom line is what does the family want. I doubt they, or Mr. Armstrong, would be too attracted to the idea.
But, he certainly deserves a State Funeral.
But, he does not need one in my mind. He was and is an American hero for the ages, and a hero of mine for many, many years.
I have not heard whether instructions have been given to lower the flag to half staff. Anyone know?
He’d do it for Neil Young...
Even though he's Canadian.
ESPECIALLY because he’s Canadian.
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