News Accounts of June 6 D.C. Candlelight Vigil for President Reagan

June 7, 2004 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

The candlelight vigil to honor President Reagan at Lafayette Park in Washington, D.C. last night went very well. A steady crowd of about seventy people participated for the first two hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. After then, there were about one to two dozen people still there until after 9 p.m.

We lit candles, listened to some of President Reagan's speeches and made speeches of our own in tribute to his life and presidency.

We were joined by groups of tourists passing through the park to see the White House.

We were quite surprised at the enthusiastic response from the media to the vigil. Here is a summary of TV coverage and some links to news accounts on the web.

All four of the local broadcast news stations had reports of the vigil on their late news shows. The two local radio news stations previewed the vigil in the afternoon, WTOP had reports afterward.

ABC-TV news ran footage of the vigil on their national feeds overnight. Fox News just ran some footage a few minutes ago.

WJLA-Dozens Gather for Candlelight Vigil in Tribute to Reagan with video link.

Washington Post-Reagan's Legacy Honored at D.C. Vigil

Flags Lowered, Memories Raised (Snarky Style section article.)

Washington Times-Region Remembers 'Right Man at the Right Time'

CNN-Mourners to File Past Casket

WTOP-Vigil for Reagan to be Held in D.C.

BBC-Americans Mourn President Reagan

AP photo of Kay Daly at vigil.

[kristinn]

My apologies for not posting a report, but I've got to get to work. Hopefully those FReepers in attendance will share their stories from last night.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Saw the local ABC report this AM. My other brother flashed by in the background. Daughteroftgsl on camera interview! Well done!

[meowmeow]

oh no - I'm in the washington post!

[GailA]

Thanks for ALL the DC FReepers who went and stood for those of us who couldn't.

[BufordP]

...My other brother flashed by in the background...

The "P" in BufordP stands for PFlash!

;-)

[Dems_R_Losers]

There was a beautiful story on ABC Channel 7 last night.

So sorry I could not join you all, I was returning from my husband's college reunion in Maine. The news of Reagan's death sure put a damper on that celebration Saturday night. I'll be there front and center for the procession on Friday though.

[stand watie]

i'm missing my red, hooded windbreaker.

any idea who picked it up??

free dixie,sw

[talleyman]

Thanks for ALL the DC FReepers who went and stood for those of us who couldn't. -GAilA

I'll second that. Well done.

[ConservativeGadfly]

I've got it! Freepmail me your address and I'll mail it to you, my friend.

[BillF]

Pinging those who attended, but are not on the DC Chapter ping list. See photos above.

Please let me know if you want to be added to the DC Chapter ping list.

Thanks to Conservative Gadfly for organizing this.

[BillF]

Pinging you as you posted to the thread before the photos were posted.

[Just Lori]

I am so disgusted, and I don't know where to post this..... Greta Van S. spent an ENTIRE HOUR tonight with OJ Simpson! We have ONE WEEK to honor an incredible President....I switched to MSNBC where they were doing stuff on Pres. Reagan. I thought Fox was the channel to turn to. I am angry and frustrated and sad. Greta....... what are you thinking???? Greta's producers......are you nuts? (Sorry folks, I'm just angry and frustrated)

[WFTR]

Unfortunately, the OJ interview had been done and scheduled before the president passed. Once something is "in the can," changing it can be difficult. The more important thing will be whether she eventually covers President Reagan and whether she does so in a way that does him justice. A longer period of more intelligent coverage is better than a short period of intense but poorly done specials.

One More Tribute
Bill

[BillF]

DC Chapter ping! Reposting with appropriate modification a post that was removed due to privacy concerns.

CLICK ON ANY PHOTO AND A FULL SIZE VERSION OF THE PHOTO SHOULD APPEAR . (Thumbnail photos hyperlinked to full versions.) 

The June 6 candlelight commemoration for President Ronald Reagan continued for several hours and people came and went, making it hard to estimate attendance. .  At the peak time, there were probably over a hundred.  Tourists and school children on field trips joined in at various times.  Over the three plus hours that it went on, total estimated attendance was over 300. Honor roll of FReepers in attendance included: Conservative Gadfly, Kristinn, tgslTakoma, Daughter of TGSL, Ned13, Trueblackman, Staytrue, BufordP, stand watie, Our Man in Washington, Maryland Pines, Preacher777, and BillF.  (Hope I didn't leave anyone out.  I didn't have the names written down.) Special recognition to Conservative Gadfly, aka Kay Daley, who did a great job organizing the event in about a day, and Kristinn, who was heavily involved in publicizing the event.  I heard a great soundbite of Kristinn on local all news radio WTOP announcing the event in advance.  Others heard Kristinn on talk radio WMAL publicizing the event. Conservative Gadfly spoke numerous times during the event as did Kristinn.  Other FReepers who spoke to the group include Trueblackman and Maryland Pines.  Audio of some of Reagan's best speeches was played.  When new groups of tourists and student groups entered the area, Conservative Gadfly and Kristinn would, in effect, start the event over by explaining the greatness of Reagan to the new arrivers.

The White House as seen from Lafayette Park.

Conservative Gadfly, with blonde hair and facing camera, on left and  as Grover Norquist, partially obscured, speaks.	Northern Virginia GOP activist James Parmalee  (center, facing camers) speaks.
Grover Norquist (wearing suit, facing camera, in center) speaking.	Kristinn at left, Maryland Pines at right wearing Maryland Final Four t-shirt facing away from camera.

Proud mother tgslTakoma watches as Daughter of TGSL is interviewed.  Mother has every reason to be proud as her daughter earlier gave a great interview for local channel 7, saying of Reagan, "I knew that he was a guy who stuck with what he believed in.  And it's hard to find that these days, especially with politicians."  I think that the photo is another channel, not channel 7,  interviewing Daughter of TGSL.  I'm not sure if that footage was used.

Staytrue proudly shows dinner place cards for Astronaut Tom Stafford and his wife Faye, both cards signed by then-Governor Ronald Reagan.  (Place cards also were signed by "Peanuts" creator Charles Shultz as Stafford's command module was named Snoopy.)

Ned13 is interviewed on tape for a Denver newspaper. Congrats to her on a huge career and educational achievement!  (I'll let her decide whether to reveal details.)

 

BufordP with his great sign.

Trueblackman interviewed by local channel 9.  He did a great job and they used some of his comments on their 11 pm news.

Ned13 stands with BufordP standing behind a photo of a great President.

Among FReepers spotted on local TV stations 7 and 9: at 11 pm that night: Daughter of TGSL making comments with tgslTakoma in background on local channel 7,  Trueblackman's comments on local channel 9, images of Kristinn on channel 9, and image of BufordP's back and showing his great sign on local channel 7.

As the first group of people at the vigil prepared to leave, Conservative Gadfly read a traditional Irish farewell.  Ronald Reagan was quite fond of using this farewell and it is quoted below.

The sun has set and President Reagan is truly gone. Because of his devotion to our country,  America's best days are yet to come.

Traditional Irish Farewell, often quoted by Ronald Reagan              May the road rise up to meet you              May the wind blow always at your back,              May the rain fall gently on your fields,              May the sun shine warmly on your shoulders,              And until we meet again,              May God hold you in the palm of His Hand.   Ronald Reagan is now truly in the hand of God and in the hearts of Americans everywhere.

[Mudboy Slim]

Great report, my FRiend...now, whatever happened to the post-Rummy FReep ACTION Report?!

LOL...MUD

[ELS]

Glad to see you still have that sign.

[nutmeg]

ping!

Scroll down to post #15 for pics and report.

THANK YOU, DC Chapter members!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[DollyCali]

Thanks for Thread & for excellent Pix/commentary BillF.. You folks continue the great tradition of being at right place & doing/saying the right things to the credit of yoursleves & to the credit of FRee Republic.

private messaged you & some other DC FReepers (2 times) ...

Thanks to ALL in DC group who participated

[Taxman]

Bears repeating:

"Thanks for ALL the DC FReepers who went and stood for those of us who couldn't."