Coming to D.C. to Pay Tribute to President Reagan? Check in Here

June 7, 2004 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

The D.C. Chapter of Free Republic will try to act as a welcoming committee and clearing house of information for FReepers coming to Washington, D.C. this week to pay tribute to President Reagan.

If you are planning on coming to D.C. from out of town, or from around here, please check in on this thread during the week. We'll try to coordinate meetings points for those who desire to gather with fellow FReepers.

Offical schedule in D.C. according to the AP:

5 p.m. Wednesday: Coffin arrives at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington.

6 p.m.: Formal funeral procession to the Capitol, with coffin transfer onto horse-drawn caisson at 1600 Constitution Ave., an open area near the White House and the Washington Monument.

7 p.m.: State funeral ceremony in Capitol Rotunda.

8:30 p.m.: Lying in state begins in rotunda and continues through the night.

Thursday: Lying in state continues for 24 hours in the rotunda.

10:45 a.m. Friday: Motorcade leaves the Capitol.

11:30 a.m.: National funeral service at the National Cathedral.

1:45 p.m.: Motorcade leaves National Cathedral. Coffin is flown back to California.

The federal government will be closed on Friday. I'm not sure about the local government or what the traffic and parking situation will be that day. Rest assured, however, that security will be tight this week.

It looks like the main things we'll be doing is paying our respects along the procession routes on Wednesday and Friday, and waiting in line at the Capitol to view President Reagan's flag-draped coffin.

Please bring American flags, large posters of President Reagan and signs bearing messages honoring him and his legacy that we can hold on the procession routes.

Feel free to add suggestions and ideas on this thread for tributes and meeting places.

[apackof2]

American hero bump

[KC_Conspirator]

bump

[diotima]

Bump to the top!

[rabidralph]

DC's subway system map. The Federal Triangle to Capitol South on the Orange-Blue Line and Judiciary Square and Union Station on the Red line will put you within walking distance of Constitution Avenue for Wednesday's viewing route of the casket, as it travels from 16th and Constitution (near the Reflecting Pool) to the Capitol (at the east end of Constitution Avenue). Union Station is also an Amtrak station and is a few blocks from the Capitol. The Reagan National Airport subway stop is on the Blue-Yellow line, in the southern part of the map.

[bmwcyle]

bttt

[shezza]

Thanks for all the info. We're trying to make arrangements now to be up there Wed/Thu. I'll be keeping my eye on this thread.

[leadpenny]

Good Job, Kristinn!

While the President Lies in State in the Rotunda, I understand the viewing line will enter from the West Front of the Capitol.

[kristinn]

Thanks for posting the Metro info. For those driving from out of the area, most of the outlying stations have parking lots at them.

[NewLand]

I am planning to be in DC on Wed eve and/or Thursday a.m. before catching an afternoon flight on Thursday to Houston.

Greatly appreciate any help you can provide as to; best places to stay, place to meet, best places to park (I will have a rental car), best place to see parade, etc.

THANKS!!!

[small voice in the wilderness]

Thanks for the info. We will be there Wednesday.

[leadpenny]

Which airport? If Dulles, I suggest picking one of the stops along the Orange Line. Vienna is the closet to Dulles but you may want to consider some of the next stops along the Orange Line.

[91B]

My wife and I have been talking about leaving on Wednesday afternoon after I get off work and driving up (we can get there in about 8 hours). We really want to come.

[Overtaxed]

Ping

[rabidralph]

The Reagan Library site has the official schedule, in case something is altered and we don't have the info.

I would suggest Hotels.com to try and find a hotel. Taking Metro into the city would be the best bet unless you drive in early on Wednesday or Friday and park at a parking garage in the city.

[DoctorMichael]

Checking-in-Bump.

Thanks for the Post.

[Corin Stormhands]

I am coming up from Richmond after work on Wednesday. Just cleared Thursday off with the boss. I'll stay as long as it takes.

kristinn - any word on extended hours for the Metro? I'd hate to finish the line at 3:00 a.m. and have to wait a couple of hours for the trains to run. But I'd much prefer to park at Springfield and take the train in.

[Hatteras]

I was just in the D.C. area this weekend. For all Freepers heading up from the south, FWIW, if you are heading up I-85 North, we found the Race Trac gas station in South Hill, Virginia selling gas for $1.84.9/gal Regular. In Maryland we were hard pressed to find any place selling for less than $2.07/gal.

Anyhow, I metioned to the parent's on Saturday morning that the radio was reporting the Reagan family canceling plans and gathering in California. My dad (who shares his birthday with Reagan) was a little down. I picked up an extra copy of Sunday's Washington Post to tuck away for the kids. (I have copies of the paper for significant events going back to the Moon Landing.)

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, the evil, vile-spitting liberal mother-in-law was definitely agitated that she couldn't find anything else on her precious MSNBCCNNNBCABCCBS. Heh, heh, heh... I hate it that it takes an event such as this... but I do love to see her squirm.

[Prospero]

Thanks very much for the help. Heading up there Wednsday afternoon, with the notion of getting in line late in the evening.

Will Metro be running all night, Wed/Thurs?

When I lived there many years ago, they generally shut down about midnight. Hate to have to walk after getting the change to pay my respects.

[AppyPappy]

Possibly coming up on Thursday for the day.