Thatcher says a final farewell to Reagan

The Daily Telegraph ^ | June 10, 2004 | Staff

[MadIvan]

Baroness Thatcher has paid her last respects to her "dearest friend", the former American president Ronald Reagan, whose body is lying in state in Washington.

Lady Thatcher salutes her "dearest friend"

The former Conservative leader placed a shaky hand on the flag-draped coffin in the Capitol Rotunda. Lady Thatcher closed her eyes as she rested her hand upon the casket, before slowly moving past.

Earlier Mr Reagan's wife, Nancy, ran her hand along the coffin's length, a look of anguish on her face.

The body of the 40th President was taken to Washington after lying in repose at his official library in California in preparation for the funeral tomorrow.

The ceremony will be attended by the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Tony Blair. Baroness Thatcher will join President George W Bush in eulogising Mr Reagan.

Afterwards, there will be a private burial back at the Reagan library.

Before the lying in state began, the coffin was conveyed through the streets by a horse-drawn caisson. A riderless horse joined the procession to symbolise a fallen leader and a pair of Mr Reagan's boots were turned backward in the stirrups to signify the loss of a rider.

Twenty-one military jets performed a fly-by, with one soaring high above the group to mark the former president's passing.

Mr Reagan died surrounded by his wife, his daughter Patti Davis and son Ron Reagan on Saturday, aged 93, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

[Rebelbase]

Thanks for the article and photos. Again, glad to have you back at FR. I have always enjoyed reading your points of view.

[mattdono]

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
- Matthew 25:21

[swampfox98]

How sad it is for the world to not have these two true Conservatives giants in power ever again. The sorrow we feel is not only in the loss of President Reagan but of our country. Conservatism in the Republican Party is dead and will never rise again.

[demkicker]

She's lost Denis, she's lost Ron, and her health is poor...I fear we are seeing her gently fading into that good night.

At least it will be a very good night where they'll be reunited again.

I am so appreciative that she made the trip even though it must be very hard on her. What a lady!

[maica]

"Image of the day" - not to take anything away from Nancy, but I have to agree with you.

****

I agree with you. The tears just come every time I see that image. I can appreciate the loss Mrs Reagan is feeling, but I am sure that Margaret Thatcher's heart must be broken, as well.

I would hope that the UK would memorialize her with pomp and circumstance, when her time comes, but the revisionist historians will probably not allow it to happen.

The Reagan-Thatcher team was powerful.

[GVnana]

As always, we can count on our good Maggie.

[KangarooJacqui]

Kerry has very little visibility here except in a general sense: "Oh, he's the opponent of Bush in the forthcoming election." I think more people here will be upset when it becomes clear he disregards Britain as an ally.

Don't feel so alone in being slighted, Ivan... I hear John Kerry doesn't think much of we Australians, either (which if I didn't like him before - and I don't - just sealed my undying hatred for the man.)

[MadIvan]

Don't feel so alone in being slighted, Ivan... I hear John Kerry doesn't think much of we Australians, either (which if I didn't like him before - and I don't - just sealed my undying hatred for the man.)

Yes, it's charming how we don't count as "allies", isn't it?

My loathing for Kerry has no words...he is a typical, tedious member of the grey Massachusetts liberal elite. Scum, in other words.

Regards, Ivan

[commish]

I am eagerly awaiting Lady Thatchers remarks at the funeral. She has steadfastly spoken the truth for years that it was Ronald Reagan and Ronald Reagan alone that won the Cold War. I want the world to hear that Friday.

America has never had a finer friend than Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

[ConservativeMan55]

Reagan Memorial In NYC Photos.

[MadIvan]

America has never had a finer friend than Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

To my surprise and delight, Blair is not far off that mark.

But there is a universal truth - we will always side with America over any opponent you care to mention. And we will always be there - Vietnam being the sole aberration.

Regards, Ivan

[irishlass]

Kerry has very little visibility here except in a general sense: "Oh, he's the opponent of Bush in the forthcoming election."

Please don't feel slighted-he doesn't show up in American media either. The less he is presented, the better his poll numbers. This is one lesson he has learned well.

[KangarooJacqui]

My loathing for Kerry has no words...he is a typical, tedious member of the grey Massachusetts liberal elite. Scum, in other words.

I couldn't have put it better myself. And my late husband, a FReeper from New England, would probably have had similar words if he was alive today.

But back to the important issues (in other words, Reagan, not Kerry) I thought Margaret Thatcher's appearance to be one of the more "uplifting" images on what was a somber day in Washington (the woman certainly has style! I thought the top hat was a lovely touch)... the F-15's flying the "missing man" formation brought a tear to my eye, but the riderless horse in the procession nearly had me choking up.

"Truly the end of the twentieth century", as my father put it as we watched the news this evening. I looked at him in quiet amazement, and nodded. I'd never thought of that, but in reality it's so very apt.

[Sunshine55]

Welcome home. We've missed you here.

[veronica]

She was so regal. An electric moment. She appeared to me to drop a little curtsy.

[MadIvan]

She was so regal. An electric moment. She appeared to me to drop a little curtsy.

She did.

Regards, Ivan

[veronica]

You Brits put us to shame at moments like this. :) That simple gesture by her said so much...

[MEG33]

I think about WW2 and wonder if Kerry would have considered Great Britain an ally,part of a great coalition/sarcasm.....I think politicians do not realize that many Americans remember we fought and died with the British ,the Australians....liberating the French against the Germans...

France and to a lesser extent Germany's lack of support angered me...Canada's hurt for I remember allies...I recall stalwart friends...

Those stalwart friends should not be ignored for political hay...I imagine many people in those countries will not forget either when they are considered so lightly by Kerry.

[MadIvan]

"Truly the end of the twentieth century", as my father put it as we watched the news this evening. I looked at him in quiet amazement, and nodded. I'd never thought of that, but in reality it's so very apt.

It is definitely the end of an era. It remains for us to define the themes of the new era. Hopefully we will use Reagan and Thatcher to provide inspiration.

Regards, Ivan