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Posted on 06/07/2004 9:51:26 PM PDT by Sabertooth
I just got back from the Reagan Library a couple of hours ago, to pay final respects to President Reagan. The scene is crowded, but orderly. I went with my daughter, and our wait in line was a couple of hours for the shuttle from Moorpark Junior College. The line looked to be twice as long when we got back, snaking down the back lawn of the campus
Quite a few folks brought kids, which I think is a great thing. Not only was President Reagan immensely fond of children, his memorial will forever be a touchstone in their lives. It's important, I think, to convey to children early on that they are a part of History.
For this reason more than anything, I wanted to attend for my daughter’s sake. She's sixteen, and once when she was eight she got to spend about 15 minutes one-on-one with President Reagan at his office in Century City. He was the kindest, most genial man imaginable. So, I wanted her to have the chance to say good-bye, and thank you.
As our shuttle bus turned past the sign at the entrance to the Reagan Library, we saw the mounds of flowers and many American Flags planted there by the President’s mourners. On the street lamp on the opposite corner was a banner with a portrait of George Washington. More portraits gazed at us through time as we made our way up the winding hill -- Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe – every President that ever served this great nation. Simple streetlamp banners serving notice that we were making our way through History up to that little “City on the Hill” that is the Reagan Library.
At the top of the hill there is a rocky peak above and adjacent to the library, where we saw a white easy-up tent and Secret Service men stationed as sentries. My daughter and I got off our bus and filed into the main courtyard, where a mighty bronze eagle holds a bronzed Old Glory in his talons. The eagle is perched on a pedestal made of red granite, white marble, and what I took to be blue lapis lazuli, arranged in stars and stripes. The top rim of the pedestal is inlaid with brass plaques reproducing the signatures of the men who signed the U.S. Constitution. History made tangible.
As we entered the Library’s Main Lobby where the President was lying in repose, across the hall from us one white-haired old soldier paused as he was leaving. He saluted one last time to his fallen Commander in Chief and brother-in-arms against the great tyrannies of the Twentieth Century.
There was a solemn majesty to seeing the President's flag-draped casket, watched over by a motionless Color Guard. My daughter teared up, and I found myself touched by the simple, yet mythic nature of the moment, much like that of the man himself. For before me lay a warrior at peace, a hero who had changed the world for all of us, called home and called to merciful rest by his Creator.
The world has changed once again with his passing.
Thanks for sharing with those of us who cannot be there.
Me and a buddy are tryign to plan a drive up to DC, but we are going to be pressed for time with the lines.
Very nice thoughts. Thanks very much.
Reagan was a Gentle Giant, who really changed the world for the good.
Once I opened my eyes and saw Nancy looking down at me. "Honey," I said, "I forgot to duck," borrowing Jack Dempsey's line to his wife the night he was beaten by Gene Tunney for the heavyweight championship. Seeing Nancy in the hospital gave me an enormous lift. As long as I live I will never forget the thought that rushed into my head as I looked up into her face. Later I wrote it down in my diary: "I pray I'll never face a day when she isn't there of all the ways God had blessed me, giving her to me was the greatest - beyond anything I can ever hope to deserve."
--Ronald Reagan
Thanks so much for the ping!!
*bump* Your daughter had time with President Reagan, something that makes your account very touching. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this - especially those of us who can not see for ourselves.
This man is one of the great men of history.
Thanks, 'tooth.
Wonderful post. I LOVE PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN....he saved America and the world!!!
Really nice, Saber. Thanks.
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Wow, thank you Saber for sharing that with us and thanks so much for the ping! So sad that he's gone :(
Yea that it. I'd like to know what its for... maybe one of our more astute frepper might know
Yep, behind this great man was a wonderful and loyal wife.
Outstanding tribute and detailed account of you're vist.
My two sons and I will make our first trip to the Library in August. We live in Fresno, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara respectively and have never visited.
I can't mourn his death - I've dealt with too many deaths of loved ones, and it's so more important to celebrate the fact that we had President Reagan for the time we did.
I live in Illinois, and I've seen several comments locally that, "He was just an actor, and he read his lines." My only response to that is, "He was an actor and he was born in raised in the Land of Lincoln, and he acted like it. That's what made him great."
You shared a wonderful moment in history with your daughter. Thankyou for sharing with those of us who are too far away to be there.
Thanks for the ping, Meek.
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