Left Charlottesville @ 12:30 PM......110 miles to DC. Got there at 2:30 and got a parking spot at a underground garage at a Holiday Inn across from the Air & Space Museum by 3 PM.
Went over to the WWII Memorial for a bit and then met the congregated Freepers @ the corner of 15th Street. When the casket passed by I wept. Nancy waved from her limo at us.
I followed the procession down the street behind the crowds. At 4th Street the F15 Fighters went over. I started to weep again. The final jet peeled away and climbed into the muggy, moist haze, higher and higher until you could hear the engine roaring but no longer see it. I REALLY wept at this point staring into that blue sky as the jet disappeared.
Got into line at 6PM. By ~7 they had completed getting the casket inside. Listened to the proceedings on the radio I had as the line started to slowly snake from West of the Reflecting Pool.......2 layers of security checks and much waiting........Got inside at ~10 PM.
Knelt in the Rotunda and gave Thanks to this man for all he did for us as the line slowly snaked around the casket.......no hurry.
Out into the muggy Washington night, down the steps of the Capitol with the Mall and the glittering lights of Washington spread before me all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. Got in the car by 10:30.......110 miles to Charlottesville.
Back at 12:30 AM. 12 hours.
Mr. Sandmans tugging at my eyelids and I've got work tomorrow. Night all.
Thank you.
Sounds like a long day .. thank you for sharing with us all. I've been shedding a few tears myself today.
Just beautiful. Luck was with you.
Taxman Bravo Zulu for your effort to pay your respects to President Reagan and for your most moving post.