Freepers among 100's of thousands in Simi Valley

June 8, 2004 | Ron C

[Sabertooth]

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.

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.

< -snip- >

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.

So, was it closer to ten thousand, or fifteen thousand folks that were standing in line for hours when you bypassed that formality?

I'm sorry, I just don't grasp the glibness of this approach.

It's been a few years, but I know Joanne Drake. It never occured to me to drop her name at the Repose or try to finagle my way past others who got in line in front of me to pay their respects.

Some things just aren't meant to be played for angles, let alone Freeped.

[bcoffey]

Couldn't you all just go to the memorial to honor our great President, and simply wait in line like the rest of America? So sad.

Lisa, yes it is.

Sadly, the way we learn about the true character of some people is to watch their behavior in situations like this.

[Rabid Dog]

I don't begrudge them one little bit and I'm glad they had the where-with-all to rent an RV and to set up a homebase for FReepers.

99% of the population are watchers and 1% are doers. I always stand with the doers.

AND I'm a little tired about all the judgement being passed on the proper protocol for paying respect to Reagan. I don't think sitting around passing judgement on others is what he had in mind. The best respect you can show Reagan is to act like him and be gracious to all.

[Rabid Dog]

Ping

[bcoffey]

"The best respect you can show Reagan is to act like him and be gracious to all."

While I disagree with everything else you said, I do agree with the above sentiment.

I'm afraid to say that the behavior of those FRN people in charge of this event didn't act like Reagan one little bit.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

BUMP

[diotima]

Actually, we didn't "promote" anything. We had no pamphlets, business cards etc.

We thought it would be a good idea to have a place where freepers could gather in a central location. Our signs were up so that people could find us (tens of thousands of people were there, parking was a nightmare and spreadout all over the place.)

Many people who were not associated with FR came around and we gave them food, cold drinks, let them use our bathroom or sit down for while, especially people with children. There was no innapropriate display. We let people use our cell phones to call their family.

[doug from upland]

How in the H*LL did this happen??? When did it happen? I left about 9:30.

[kingu]

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 waved from the end of the line.. Wish we could have made it there earlier, but we didn't make it out of Bakersfield until late because of the high winds through the Grapevine.

[Chieftain]

Fantastic report! I feel like I was there.

Taxman, Warrior Nurse; votelife; eagle eye; OxenInFla; MyBrotherIsAnAMericanHero.. you gotta read this thread!

[Jeff Head]

Great to see you my Friend. Hope things are looking up for you. I just wish I could be there with you all...but I will have to settle for being there in spirit.

The American people are voting and speaking with their feet this week, with their love, with their affection and with their honoring of this great man. It is making a statement that is terrorizing and chagrinning the liberal/left/socialists and their ilk.

They had hoped we had forgotten or that the impact and legacy had paled. They are finding how wrong they are.

God bless Ronald Reagan and rest him. God bless and cofort his dear wife Nacny.

My Prayer regarding the viewing of Ronald Reagan

[Chieftain]

Geeze Louise! Thank you and Bob J and Ron C and the others that had the goodness to think of other FReepers and extend some hospitality to them via your motorhome.

I am very PROUD of you guys for doing what you did and the manner in which you did it!

Don't give $.02 worth of concern over the comments from the judgemental 'peanut gallery'!

[Cboldt]

The best respect you can show Reagan is to act like him and be gracious to all.

And, to respect his wish that we, Americans, have and exercise an optimistic and free spirit.

Prayers for the Reagan family. God bless the United States of America!