Posted on 06/06/2004 10:38:10 PM PDT by JohnHuang2
Thatcher's taped eulogy at Reagan funeral
By Alec Russell in Washington and Andrew Sparrow, Political Correspondent
(Filed: 07/06/2004)
Lady Thatcher will deliver a eulogy at Ronald Reagan's funeral, it emerged yesterday, as America mourned the death of one of the most influential and colourful presidents of the 20th century.
Long before he died on Saturday night after a decade-long battle against Alzheimer, Mr Reagan asked his old friend and ideological ally if she would pay tribute at the service.
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Her 10-minute address will be one of the highlights of the state funeral on Friday in the National Cathedral in Washington.
It is expected to be the most emotional state occasion in Washington since the funeral of John F Kennedy in 1963 and is being compared in political significance with the funeral in 1944 of Franklin D Roosevelt, the last president to have engineered a similar revolution in US politics.
Lady Thatcher, who has had to give up formal public speaking on the advice of her doctors, recorded her remarks before Mr Reagan's death. Her speech will be broadcast during the service, which she will attend. It is believed to be the first time a non-American has been invited to deliver a eulogy at a US president's funeral.
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Flags flew at half-mast across America and shrines of flowers formed outside the many public buildings bearing the Reagan name to honour the former president, who died, aged 93, at his Los Angeles home with his wife, Nancy, at his side.
Today his coffin starts a five-day journey, allowing Americans the opportunity to mourn in person the passing of the "Great Communicator".
His body will travel to the Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley, California, where it will lie in state for two days. It will then be flown to Washington to lie in state in the Capitol on Wednesday night and Thursday.
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The funeral takes place on Friday, when hundreds of thousands of people are expected to throng the capital. The body will be carried on a gun carriage from the Capitol to the White House. From there a hearse will carry it to the cathedral.
There will then be a private sunset burial on Friday in his beloved California where he began his journey from Hollywood to the White House.
President George W Bush led America in tributes, hailing Mr Reagan at the D-Day 60th anniversary commemorations as a "gallant leader in the cause of freedom".
His life spanned all the great events of the 20th century and his death caused a wave of nostalgia for a leader whose easy-going charm did so much to soften the hostility that his politics sometimes provoked.
Present and former world leaders, including Mikhail Gorbachev and the Pope, saluted Mr Reagan, in particular for helping to end the Cold War and for his fight against Alzheimer's.
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Lady Thatcher said: "President Reagan was one of my closest political and dearest personal friends. He will be missed not only by those who knew him and not only by the nation that he served so proudly and loved so deeply but also by millions of men and women who live in freedom today because of the policies he pursued.
"Ronald Reagan had a higher claim than any other leader to have won the Cold War for liberty and he did it without a shot being fired."
Tony Blair said: "President Reagan will be remembered as a good friend of Britain."
I still remember Kennedy's funeral, but this one will get to me.
If I were 75 years old, I'd consider Lady Thatcher as hot as most FReepers do Ann Coulter. I love conservative women that hang-tough!
Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher... two people I really looked up to, growing up. I think they helped shape the person I am today (and I doubt I'm alone amongst twenty- and thirty-somethings here.)
Even though it may be unusual, I think Mrs Thatcher's speech at Mr Reagan's funeral is fitting.
Dittos :-)
One of Reagan's aides was all concerned if Reagan new all of the "answers" to that he was going to give at some big conference (G8?).
"So, if they talk ask about "x" what are you going to answer". Reagan said "Well, I think I'll just follow Maggie's lead on that one". The aide said Reagan knew the general ideas of things, and more importantly perhaps, knew who he could rely on that thought the same way he did.
Seems to me that when a kitty-cat can scratch back, it makes the coupling more fun...
Wonderful photo. They both look radiant!
When they were in office,
the world was in the hands of grown ups.
Amazing we were blessed by both leaders.
I love Margaret Thatcher.
Bless her for traveling to his funeral.
I'm sure she is heart broken too.
That photo is a keeper.
Thanks for posting it.
Incredible picture
They've been strolling together across our fridge for
quite some time now, and will continue to do so.
Seconded.
Another keeper -- thanks.
You should send that pic to the Sun, Times, etal; might give them a spine.
This picture should have a caption:
Now Maggie, here's how we're going to save the world.....
You're welcome. That photo is from a webpage called Unguarded Moments by Peter Souza who was a personal photographer of President Reagan. I recommend a perusal. Many wonderful shots there not posted so far here on FR. http://www.musarium.com/stories/reagan/index.html
Why thank you so much for the link.
I have added it to my "favorites list"
for safe keeping.
Much appreciated.
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