Post your thoughts here if you attended the Public viewing...
I am watching the public viewing on C-SPAN.
A soldier, missing part of both arms, and limping, just stopped at the casket and saluted. He has what seem to be healing wounds on his forhead. He must be one of our guys from Iraq.
He had the most reverent look on his face.
I was in line from 10:30PM until 3:15AM. We had a strong Georgia presence amongst the hundreds of people we constantly passed snaking through the line. It was very inspiring entering the people's Capitol building to honor the greatest President of my lifetime. I've come close to crying so many times since President Reagan's death was announced. I thought for sure I would cry this morning when I finally got my chance to pay my respects; however the whole experience in line and reminiscing about President Reagan with fellow Americans was really comforting.
God Bless Nancy and the family. I'll miss President Reagan and I thank God for his leadership and legacy.
Hi friends,
I went down to the Capitol at 3AM to get in line to pay my respects to President Reagan. Waited in a very cordial line for about 3 1/2 hours (including the strangely-behaving-man-leaving-a-backpack (but it wasn't a bomb) scare...was right by where I was) and finally got up to the top of the hill and into the Rotunda of the Capitol. Totally silent, with the 4 honor guards at each corner of the almost larger than life flag draped casket. You could feel the joyful solemnity. I said silently, "Lord Jesus please say hello to President Reagan for me." To which the immediate cheerful reply (in my thoughts) was "Hi Ralph!" I thought back, "You know me?" and the thought said back, "I do now!" .... Just my mind playing tricks? Perhaps, or perhaps not.
I then slowly and reverently left, and when leaving they gave us all an engraved card marking the occasion, and outside the Capitol building we were invited to sign guest books (just like at a regular funeral).
All in all a terrific experience. I'm convinced, due to the righteousness of Christ, Mr. Reagan is with his Lord and Savior now... According to his adopted son evangelical Christian Michael Reagan, President Reagan had on numerous occasions, in his own private personal way, expressed his clear faith, not just vaguely in God, but specifically in Jesus Christ.
The long goodbye of altheimer's is over, and Ronald Reagan is having a great time thinking clear thoughts -- more lucid and memorable than ever, no doubt (he's probably making even our Lord smile from corny jokes :) ).
Anyway, I've got a groggy day ahead.
God bless you all, God bless the Reagans, and of course, God bless America!
Sincerely,
Ralph W. Davis