Reagan's Funeral - ? on the requirements

6-7-04 | 4everontheright

[4everontheRight]

I would like to have a thread where people can ask questions about the upcoming event and someone could answer them.

I have seen so many reports concerning the upcoming funeral of our great President Ronald Reagan. Time and time again, I hear bits and pieces of requirements that must be followed for a presidential funeral. I am wondering where this information is coming from. I have more questions then the reports are answering.

For instance, I heard that President Reagan must be buried before sunset. Is this a requirement or just a personal preference?

[Renfield]

I'd like to view the body in state, and need to know where and when.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

I've heard that he's going to be buried at sunset on the west coast. Not a requirement, just a preference.

[Gabz]

I think the sunset burial is a family preference, although not 100% positive.

i just heard n FNC there is actually a 186 page document of the protocols for a state funeral. how one finds that, I do not know, because I didn't catch the entire story.

[socal_parrot]

Schedule Thread

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Captol Building, DC. I think Tuesday and Wednesday...

[Gabz]

IIRC the lying in state will be in the Capitol Rotunda Wednesday and Thursday.

[4everontheRight]

Here is the schedule for viewing, etc.

Monday, June 7, 2004
10:00 am PDT Mrs. Reagan and Family depart Gates Kingsley Gates Mortuary en route Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
11:00 am PDT Mrs. Reagan and Family arrive Reagan Library for private ceremony
12:00 noon PDT Lying in Repose begins in Main Lobby of Library for public to pay respects and continues through the night

Tuesday, June 8, 2004

All day Lying in Repose in Main Lobby of Reagan Library
6:00 pm PDT Lying in Repose concludes

Wednesday, June 9, 2004
8:00 am PDT Mrs. Reagan and Family arrive Reagan Library
8:15 am PDT Departure Ceremony
8:30 am PDT Motorcade departs Reagan Library
9:00 am PDT Departure Ceremony at Naval Base Ventura County/Pt. Mugu
9:30 am PDT Aircraft departs Naval Base Ventura County/Pt. Mugu
5:00 pm EDT Aircraft arrives Andrews AFB
6:00 pm EDT Formal Funeral Procession to U.S. Capitol
7:00 pm EDT State Funeral Ceremony in Rotunda of U.S. Capitol
8:30 pm EDT Lying in State begins in Rotunda of U.S. Capitol for public to pay respects and continues through the night

Thursday, June 10, 2004
24 hours Lying in State in Rotunda of U.S. Capitol for public to pay respects

Friday, June 11, 2004
10:30 am EDT Departure Ceremony at U.S. Capitol
10:45 am EDT Motorcade departs U.S. Capitol
11:15 am EDT Motorcade arrives Washington National Cathedral
11:30 am EDT National Funeral Service at Washington National Cathedral
1:15 pm EDT Departure Ceremony at National Cathedral
1:45 pm EDT Motorcade departs National Cathedral
2:15 pm EDT Departure Ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base
2:45 pm EDT Aircraft departs Andrews Air Force Base
4:45 pm PDT Aircraft arrives Naval Base Ventura County/Pt. Mugu
5:15 pm PDT Motorcade departs Naval Base Ventura County/Pt. Mugu
6:00 pm PDT Motorcade arrives Reagan Library
6:15 pm PDT Private Interment Service at Reagan Library
7:30 pm PDT Interment Service Concludes

[Ulysses]

For instance, I heard that President Reagan must be buried before sunset. Is this a requirement or just a personal preference?

I heard somewhere on the news that the burial would be "close to sunset" because that was the preference of President Reagan and/or Mrs. Reagan. I don't believe something like that is "protocol" as far as Presidential funerals go.

One feature I do like - and I remember seeing it when President Eisenhower died - is the riderless horse with the backward boots.

BTW, I've seen pictures of this at President Kennedy's funeral - but I only personally remember seeing it beginning with President Eisenhower.

[Jeff Head]

OFFICE OF RONALD REAGAN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	JUNE 6, 2004

* * * MEDIA ADVISORY * * *

OUTLINE OF FUNERAL EVENTS IN HONOR OF
RONALD WILSON REAGAN

 

Sunday, June 6, 2004
No public events
Monday, June 7, 2004
10:00 am PDT	Mrs. Reagan and Family depart Gates Kingsley Gates Mortuary en route Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
11:00 am PDT	Mrs. Reagan and Family arrive Reagan Library for private ceremony
12:00 noon PDT	Lying in Repose begins in Main Lobby of Library for public to pay respects and continues through the night
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
All day	Lying in Repose in Main Lobby of Reagan Library
6:00 pm PDT	Lying in Repose concludes
Wednesday, June 9, 2004
8:00 am PDT	Mrs. Reagan and Family arrive Reagan Library
8:15 am PDT	Departure Ceremony
8:30 am PDT	Motorcade departs Reagan Library
9:00 am PDT	Departure Ceremony at Naval Base Ventura County/Pt. Mugu
9:30 am PDT	Aircraft departs Naval Base Ventura County/Pt. Mugu
5:00 pm EDT	Aircraft arrives Andrews AFB
6:00 pm EDT	Formal Funeral Procession to U.S. Capitol
7:00 pm EDT	State Funeral Ceremony in Rotunda of U.S. Capitol
8:30 pm EDT	Lying in State begins in Rotunda of U.S. Capitol for public to pay respects and continues through the night
Thursday, June 10, 2004
24 hours	Lying in State in Rotunda of U.S. Capitol for public to pay respects
Friday, June 11, 2004
10:30 am EDT	Departure Ceremony at U.S. Capitol
10:45 am EDT	Motorcade departs U.S. Capitol
11:15 am EDT	Motorcade arrives Washington National Cathedral
11:30 am EDT	National Funeral Service at Washington National Cathedral
1:15 pm EDT	Departure Ceremony at National Cathedral
1:45 pm EDT	Motorcade departs National Cathedral
2:15 pm EDT	Departure Ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base
2:45 pm EDT	Aircraft departs Andrews Air Force Base
4:45 pm PDT	Aircraft arrives Naval Base Ventura County/Pt. Mugu
5:15 pm PDT	Motorcade departs Naval Base Ventura County/Pt. Mugu
6:00 pm PDT	Motorcade arrives Reagan Library
6:15 pm PDT	Private Interment Service at Reagan Library
7:30 pm PDT	Interment Service Concludes

OFFICE OF RONALD REAGAN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	JUNE 6, 2004

* * * MEDIA ADVISORY * * *

OUTLINE OF FUNERAL EVENTS IN HONOR OF
RONALD WILSON REAGAN

 

Sunday, June 6, 2004
No public events
Monday, June 7, 2004
10:00 am PDT	Mrs. Reagan and Family depart Gates Kingsley Gates Mortuary en route Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
11:00 am PDT	Mrs. Reagan and Family arrive Reagan Library for private ceremony
12:00 noon PDT	Lying in Repose begins in Main Lobby of Library for public to pay respects and continues through the night
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
All day	Lying in Repose in Main Lobby of Reagan Library
6:00 pm PDT	Lying in Repose concludes
Wednesday, June 9, 2004
8:00 am PDT	Mrs. Reagan and Family arrive Reagan Library
8:15 am PDT	Departure Ceremony
8:30 am PDT	Motorcade departs Reagan Library
9:00 am PDT	Departure Ceremony at Naval Base Ventura County/Pt. Mugu
9:30 am PDT	Aircraft departs Naval Base Ventura County/Pt. Mugu
5:00 pm EDT	Aircraft arrives Andrews AFB
6:00 pm EDT	Formal Funeral Procession to U.S. Capitol
7:00 pm EDT	State Funeral Ceremony in Rotunda of U.S. Capitol
8:30 pm EDT	Lying in State begins in Rotunda of U.S. Capitol for public to pay respects and continues through the night
Thursday, June 10, 2004
24 hours	Lying in State in Rotunda of U.S. Capitol for public to pay respects
Friday, June 11, 2004
10:30 am EDT	Departure Ceremony at U.S. Capitol
10:45 am EDT	Motorcade departs U.S. Capitol
11:15 am EDT	Motorcade arrives Washington National Cathedral
11:30 am EDT	National Funeral Service at Washington National Cathedral
1:15 pm EDT	Departure Ceremony at National Cathedral
1:45 pm EDT	Motorcade departs National Cathedral
2:15 pm EDT	Departure Ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base
2:45 pm EDT	Aircraft departs Andrews Air Force Base
4:45 pm PDT	Aircraft arrives Naval Base Ventura County/Pt. Mugu
5:15 pm PDT	Motorcade departs Naval Base Ventura County/Pt. Mugu
6:00 pm PDT	Motorcade arrives Reagan Library
6:15 pm PDT	Private Interment Service at Reagan Library
7:30 pm PDT	Interment Service Concludes

[Howlin]

The casket will be placed on the cassion at 16th and Constitution on Wednesday at 6:00 P.M. EDT. for the trip to the Capitol.

[Renfield]

Thanks--this is just the information I was seeking.

[kellynla]

I'd like to view the body in state

closed casket

[Howlin]

Hmm..

Caisson.

Excuse my spelling.

[HairOfTheDog]

One feature I do like - and I remember seeing it when President Eisenhower died - is the riderless horse with the backward boots.

That is one of my favorite (most touching) parts of very formal ceremonies too... As you can see below, the tack and fittings are very specific and according to tradition. But in the particular case of Reagan, if I were in charge, I would have the horse carry Reagan's own saddle and boots.

Military District of Washington - Fact Sheet: The Caparisoned Horse

The Caparisoned Horse

The practice of having the charge of a deceased military officer led in the funeral procession is a survival of an ancient custom of sacrificing a horse at the burial of a warrior. Generally the horse was hooded, sheathed in a cloth or armored covering and bore a saddle with the stirrups inverted and a sword through them.

This further symbolized the fact that the deceased had fallen as a warrior and would ride no more.

During the period of Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, the Mongols and Tartars believed that the spirit of a sacrificed horse went through "the gate of the sky" to serve its master in the after-world. According to European folk belief, the dead horse would find its dead master if permitted to follow him into the hereafter. Otherwise, the dead master's spirit would have to walk. When Gen. Kasimer was buried at Treves as late as 1781, his horse was killed and placed in the grave with the dead general.

Some of the Plains Indians in America adopted the custom after they came into possession of horses.

Horses are no longer sacrificed in such cases, but sometimes a riderless horse is still led in the funeral procession as a symbol of a fallen warrior. In about 1800, Blackbird, an Omaha chief, was buried sitting on his favorite horse.

According to historical records, Abraham Lincoln was the first President of the United States honored by the inclusion of the caparisoned horse in his funeral cortege. When his body was taken from the White House to lie in state in the Capitol rotunda, the casket was followed by the dead president's horse with its master's boots backwards in the stirrups.

In order for the caparisoned horse to be used, the person it is honoring must have at one time been an Army or Marine Corps colonel or above.

Since the president of the United States is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, he is entitled to the use of the horse. EQUIPMENT FOR THE CAPARISONED HORSE

The equipment a caparisoned horse bears differs according to its color: if black, the horse carries saddle blanket, saddle and bridle; if any other color, the horse carries a hood and cape, along with a blanket, saddle and bridle.

CAPE: The cape buttons at the breast (four buttons) in front of the left leg. It has a crupper that fits under the horse's tail to hold the cape secure. A crupper is a padded leather strap that is passed around the base of a horse's tail and attached to the saddle or harness to keep it from moving forward. The cape is bordered with a fringe, 3 inches in length, with a 6-inch tassel, spaced every 4 inches. The cape hangs to the hock (the joint bending backward in the hind leg) and knees.

HOOD: The hood covers the head, going back as far as the withers (the highest part of the back of the horse). It buttons under the jaw bone, along the neck to the breast. The hood has eye slots and extends down the edge of the mouth. It covers the ears, and the ear pieces are fringed. Its bordering is like the cape.

SADDLE BLANKET: The saddle blanket extends from the withers to the flank. In width, it extends half-way down the side of the coastal region. There is a white border 1 1/2 inches in width completely encircling the blanket. Stars are placed on the rear corners of the blanket (four inches from the bottom) for generals, with the number of stars indicating the rank.

SADDLE: A pair of spurred boots is placed backwards in the stirrups of the saddle, the tops of which are fastened to the stirrup strap. The officer's field saber and carrier is placed on the "off side" of the horse. The carrier is fastened to the saddle, and at the bottom there is a strap going under the horse's abdomen fastening on the "near side" to the cantle (the upward-curving rear part of the saddle) by straps and a D-ring. This keeps the saber vertical.

BRIDLE: The bridle consists of a snaffle bit (light and jointed, attached to the bridle and having no curve) and a French halter. It is worn in the regular manner, with one rein. This rein is secured to the pommel (the rounded, upward-projecting front part) of the saddle. The horse is led from the "near side" with the ring hand grasping the reins, six inches from the bit.

MISCELLANEOUS: All of the caparison (the ornamented covering) is black. The hood, saddle blanket and cape are made of wool or serge (a strong, twilled fabric with diagonal rib). All brass and leather is highly polished.

[Jeff Head]

I wish I could make either the California or the DC events...but very sadly, I will not be able to. We will certinly be there in spirit...bidding from here in Idaho a heart-felt farewell to the greatest leader this nation has had in well over 100 years...and perhaps beyond that, next to George Washington himself.

Until we meet again, Mr. President, either when it's our time to pass to the far side of the veil there with our Saviour, or when you return with all the rightous, triumphant in the air with Him at His second coming.

[4everontheRight]

Is it the VFW or another organization that has facts/ protocol concerning the American Flag during times of national mourning? I also have questions concerning the lowering of the flag, etc.

[Howlin]

I already had a family trip planned for this week, arriving on Thursday. Now, with everything closed, I am not sure we are going.

Still pondering...

[steveyp]

I so wish he would travel across the country by train. I would drive three or more hours just to stand quietly as the man passes to his great reward.

[hobson]

I think I heard the Fox reporter say it's a law that requires burial before sundown.