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Posted on 06/08/2004 5:53:09 AM PDT by Ron C.
Edited on 07/14/2009 11:50:39 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Hi Ron! It was great to see you yesterday!
I'll give my report here, so that I don't start another thread.
Bob and I decided to rent a motorhome so that there would be a place where freepers could stop by and relax, have some ice tea and water, pick up snack, chat, and wait to get on the bus. We were unable to secure a reservation on Sunday since the offices were closed, so we went to Costco for snacks, gathered portable chairs, tables and ice chests and headed out to rent to RV at 8am monday morning.
We were able to get a 30ft motorhome, packed it up and went on our way.
Luckily we had little traffic. I think we were running slightly ahead of the trip from the funeral home to the Library because people were gathered at the bridges across the 405 holding flags and signs. It was a sight to behold.
Many people were already there when we arrived. We parked the RV and put up our banner so people could find us. I estimate about 10K people where there when we arrived. In time I think we had about 30 freepers stop by during the day. It is difficult to predict the logistics on an event like this, and we had good location however, there were so many people arriving and the line was so long, I was surprised anyone found us. Our RV was located near the front of the line, where people boarded buses. It was prime location for observing the attendence and watching the media.
Initially, we had planned to take a bus to the library and pay our respects in shifts. Unfortunately, the time to get to the library and back ran around four hours, at first. The time to get to the library only got longer.
Reagan was America's president. I was not able to watch the media coverage on TV while I was there, however the mix of people who came pay respects was impressive. I saw many children, teenagers, young, old, black, while, asian, hispanic and everything else. I watched CNN try and snag interviews with the most stereotypical conservatives they could find: a nicely dressed elderly woman who looked affluent, as opposed to the many blacks, hispanics or other minorities. Don't believe the coverage, this was a memorial for AMERICA'S president and every element was there to pay last repsects.
I also noticed some of the ushers and security going around the line and bringing military and handicapped people to the front. I thought that was a nice touch.
Previously, I though the line would get shorter and people would stop coming and Bob and I would be able to take the trip to the library. It became obvious that the line was not getting shorter, it was getting longer and longer. People were snaked up and down the entire campus. We thought we might just stay overnight and 2 or 3 am we would be able to go. Luckily, as Ron C mentioned, we were escorted to the library by one of the ushers. (After our encounter with the SS, the ATF, the bomb squad and a nice bomb sniffing dog.)
I had not shed a tear all day long, choosing to focus on the beauty of the event and feeling proud that the honorable President Reagan was receiving a tribute he richly deserved despite attempts to the contrary by the usual suspects. Once we arrived at the library I confess that I shed many tears. The honor guard, the coffin with the flag and those who had come to pay respects was overwhelming. I don't think I will ever see such another event in my lifetime.
When we left the library at around 11pm, one of the gentleman working there told me that there were 15k people at the college standing in line. As we left the college and drove home around 11:45pm, we measured six miles of cars backed up on the 118 and were unable to see the lines on the back route the college.
I suspect that today will see even more people coming out to pay their respects.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by and spent sometime with us.
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ping!
DeeCee is going to be a mess.
What an amazing day for you....am so glad to have found this thread. Ron, I'm so glad you didn't get introuble..and diotima...renting the RV was SO KIND and thoughtful.. God bless both of you.
When I saw Mrs. Reagan lay her head on the casket, the tears came and wouldn't stop until the tv was turned off. Every time she looked up at the minister, it made me think of how she would look up at President Reagan. Her eyes are amazing..and very memorable..
Today's local paper is reporting at about 16,000 people had been to the viewing. Just looking at the crowds and incoming traffic as of 10:30 last night, it appears that there are way more people than the original estimates.
Sorry I wasn't able to find you! Glad you got in to see him. By the time, I got there - we were looking at a 6 hour wait - not something I had planned for at all - no water, inappropriate dress for an extended evening stay, etc. We are going to go back to pay our respects after he is buried at the library.
16k? LOL, no way.
I just heard on Fox, its 3hours to get off the 118 and 5-7 once in line. (16k? what a joke.)
I don't think anyone anticipated the numbers and the waiting time. We should organize something after the burial.
Awesome job guys.
You are so lucky to be able to go and pay respect to the greatest President of our lifetime.
Thanks for sharing.
I am really looking forward to Bob's photos.
Let us pray this sets a precedent for the number of voters in the coming elections who will choose country over Kerry.
I better go find the camera...
Bump!
We were at the Freepers mobile home last night on our way to wait in line and met some nice folk. Unfortunately, the wait was over eight hours and we had kids with us, one of which had to be at school today to practice for graduation or not participate in graduation.
Finally abandoned the idea at 12:30AM and took them home. FYI, the wait on the freeway is 3.5 hours. The wait in line is 8 hours. If you are not at the college and in line by 2-3:00 today, chances are you are not getting in. We're going to try for the services this weekend or over the fourth of July.
Boy, am I beat, but the AMAZING sight of the huge crowds and the stunning lines of cars up and down the freeway are so inspiring. You just wouldn't believe it. I don't care what the polls say. The silent majority will speak in November just like they spoke when Reagan was elected and just as they are speaking right now here in my home town.
Yep.
The media won't report the crowds. You must.
Bumping a great post!
Thanks very much for the great first-person reports.
BTTT. Thanks for the report, and welcome back to FR.
Hope to be in D.C. tomorrow and pay my respects.
What a class act getting that motor home.
Great to see you back Ron C. I'm so glad you were able to get to pay tribute to President Reagan without the back pain. A great report from you and Dio.
It IS astounding! Our house shares the lot line with Reagan Library property, so we got very little sleep last night. The shuttles ran up and down past our bedroom window all night, gearing down, etc., but it was so worth it to see that outpouring of love for President Reagan.
I wish we "knew" somebody for easier access to the viewing because we weren't even permitted to walk up from home. We tried to get to Moorpark College last night. Hit the stopped traffic to exit Collins at 8:00, and went about one mile by 9:00. Finally, we had to turn around from the Collins overpass and return home (hubby had to travel early today). From that overpass, though, the line of traffic coming from San Fernando Valley was awesome and unending -- we heard it was backed up from Sycamore.
The makeshift memorial at the Library entrance just keeps growing. I've never seen so many elaborate arrangements, and from distant states, too.
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