"FIELD OF DREAMS" SCENE REAGAN TRIBUTE AT SIMI VALLEY

Reagan Library | 6/8/04 | self

[Steven W.]

A tremendous scene, reminiscent of the ending to the hit motion picture, "Field of Dreams", was visible in tribute to Ronald Reagan on Monday night / Tuesday morning. Departing the Reagan Library, thousands upon thousands of well-wishers could be sighted for miles on end, for as far as the eyes could see, enlightening all of the highways all around, leading to the Reagan Library in Simi Valley.

[Steven W.]

Unbelievable turnout of well-wishers paying their final respects to our great former leader. I experienced a 6 hour wait in line before arriving at the library to see the 12:00 AM changing of the guards. The lines after I left appeared to be approx. 3 hours longer, at least, not including all of those continuing to wait in their vehicles on approaching highways. Quite a sight and tribute to one Ronald Reagan I thought those out of range would greatly appreciate :)

[MEG33]

It is such a tribute.I noticed Nancy stopped at the makeshift Memorial yesterday..It meant a lot...I imagine all those of you who came will be very appreciated...They showed a Boy Scout troop going by the casket just now...

Americans are wonderful people. I choose to focus on the respect shown instead of the small minded pundits and bloggers who have so little decency.

[NautiNurse]

Nice description. Thanks for the post.

[michigander]

Traffic comes to a standstill as people as make their way to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi
Valley, Calif., to pay respects to former President Ronald Reagan Tuesday, June 8, 2004. By early Tuesday
morning, more than 17,000 people had come to the Reagan Library, waiting hours in line to pass by the
former president's coffin. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

[SwinneySwitch]

Thanks, Steve.

[Catspaw]

Quite a sight and tribute to one Ronald Reagan I thought those out of range would greatly appreciate :)

It's very much appreciated for those of us who can't travel to California or Washington. TV can convey part of the experience, but it's the "boots on the ground" folks like you who can bring this to us because you're there.

[4everontheRight]

Wow! I just am so touched that people are turning out, no matter what, to pay their respects. I honestly don't believe the media thought this would happen (big surprise) but I really believe the Reagan family didn't believe it either. This is what makes me so proud! I am so glad people are going and showing the family how much he was loved, no matter what the media made them believe.

For the first time in my life, I wish I was in CA.

[Catspaw]

For the first time in my life, I wish I was in CA.

Or DC.

I hope the family is seeing the turnout for their beloved husband and father. It pained me to see Nancy and their children have to leave President Reagan for the public visitation, because their grief is so painful, personal and deep. They have given us this gift, and even if we can't be there in person, we are certainly there in spirit--and we have other freepers to represent us.

This is only the beginning of a difficult week for us, but so hard for Nancy, because Ronnie was her life.

[Kewz1]

Thanks for the post. God bless his family during ths time. I hope this outpouring of love and respect for President Reagan eases some of their grief.

[LS]

Steven,

Hope you check out my tribute to RR:

"Ron and George: An Imagined Conversation."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1149369/posts

[4everontheRight]

I live in SC so it is logistically possible for me to go to DC, just not physically so...bad back. That breaks my heart too. I turned 18 in 1979 and my first vote ever was for Reagan. He started my interest in politics and I have never regretted it. He has always had a special part of my heart. I love him as if he were my own family....more then some members :) He was as great a man as I will ever see in my lifetime.

[texasbluebell]

I heard on tv a few minutes ago that the hours for viewing have been extended.

But they're saying that people must be in line by 3 pm today to be sure to get in, because they're definitely going to stop at 10 pm tonight (instead of I think 6 pm).

The crowds are far exceeding the wildest estimates of the planners, apparently.

[Catspaw]

He was as great a man as I will ever see in my lifetime.

Yes, yes he was.

Now don't get me bawling again.

[Steven W.]

thanks for the photo - that's what it looked like in 3 directions (south,west & east)

[Steven W.]

I asked the police if they expected this degree of turnout and they said, in all their planning, they never could have imagined it. The secret service was obviously overwhelmed and lack of personnel contributed to the waiting time spent going through the search, metal detectors, etc., before boarding the busses to travel to the library after the long wait in line. I joked with people in line that, in some ways, the longer the wait, the better the story, and the more it would really tick the liberals off ;)

[Steven W.]

it was clear the media people there were overwhelmed and unable to come to grips with how to cover the story. My son, whom I brought, joked about some of them editing some video in their van and he (my son) joked that they were probably trying to find somebody they could portray as dumb who they could make something up with. I joked with folks in line that it would be fun to play reporter with people in the line, "what is it about Reagan that drew you here? was it the slick packaging? or did he appeal to your darkest instincts? or was it just greed?" ROFLMAO

[Yaelle]

My report on the unfathomable wait lines to pay tribute to President Reagan

This all goes to show the country that while California's infamous liberals are media beloved, loud, and rich, they do not speak for the GOOD PEOPLE of this great state. We are here too.