Because I Am Not Done; What I saw at the funeral, part 2.

Opinion Journal ^ | 6.17.04 | Peggy Noonan

[ambrose]

Because I Am Not Done What I saw at the funeral, part 2.

Thursday, June 17, 2004 12:01 a.m. EDT

All week people who had waited in line to see Ronald Reagan's casket at the Rotunda would walk up to me wherever I was, introduce themselves and say, "There were these young soldiers and sailors, we waited on line six hours, and we all got in at 2 a.m., and as they rounded the casket they would stop, every one of them, and salute." Or, "Did you see the American Indians in full ceremonial dress who came and stood in silence?" And, "We were in bed at home and it was 10 at night and we were watching the news and suddenly we looked at each other and said: We gotta go. So we got the train schedule and took the overnight and got to Washington at 7 a.m. and stood on line."

[TexasTransplant]

Wow, just wow, I am proud to be an American.

Find a better Country anywhere and I will Gaurantee you the Real Estate is undervalued.

[AzSteven]

If anyone left CSPAN on after the funeral Friday, for hours there was a continuous line of people passing in front of the coffin; bowing, saluting, making the sign of the cross, or otherwise paying their respects. The interesting part was, about 2 hours later, they were still going by. At that time, the official mourners were long gone; the review was now teh library staff, the military bands and honor guards, the police, and others who helped to make the funeral go so smoothly. CSPAN kept running the video until well after full dark; at least two hours, and it looked like the end of the line was nowhere near when they started a full repeat of the day's events.

I would love to know how long the procession went on.

[dstarr]

This was so awesome to read. I'd love to read Part 1 since this is Part 2.

[JoJo Gunn]

http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110005212

[FairOpinion]

Part 1:

PEGGY NOONAN

The Ben Elliott Story
What I saw at the funeral.

Monday, June 14, 2004 12:01 a.m. EDT


http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110005212

[Reagan Man]

Reading Peggy's words, for a little bit, I got that lump back in my throat and those watery eyes returned.

Last week was a monumental historical event, that only someone like a Ronald Reagan could create with his passing. A week I will never forget. Reagan the man left us ten years ago, but his spirit seemed to always remain with us.

There are many Americans that can't seem to comprehend and fully appreciate, who Ronald Reagan really was and what he accomplished as President. I feel fortunate to have been alive during the Reagan Era and took advantage of the opporunity to campaign for him on three different occasions.

Thank you Mister President.

[nutmeg]

read later bump

[nutmeg]

I feel fortunate to have been alive during the Reagan Era

Same here, Reagan Man! Great post and graphic above in #7.

[ambrose]

I feel fortunate to have been alive during the Reagan Era

Ditto!

[SuziQ]

We need a new environmental movement--a musical conservation movement aimed at saving and preserving the old songs.

I'm enjoying Peggy's rememberances of the week of Reagan's funeral and the folks she met back up with who were her friends, or co-workers in the Reagan White House.

I loved the music as well, though one of my favorites was the music from an old British hymn (I think). The British hymn is "Jerusalem" and it was played at the end of Chariots of Fire. I thought it was fitting that the music that played as Reagan was taken from the Cathedral was a song from a recent movie. "Mansions of the Lord" was played at the end of "We Were Soldiers".

If you like American gospel and old-timey religious music, you HAVE to listen to the most recent, and maybe final, recording by Anonymous 4, called "American Angels". We saw them during their farewell tour this past winter, and the music was glorious!

[risk]

I saw a young black woman in a Capitol Police uniform simultaneously point tourists toward safety as she ran, resolutely, toward the Capitol she thought was about to be leveled. They were like New York City firemen. They are something.

bump to the end of http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110005225

[Khurkris]

An eloquent and lovingly constructed piece.

[garylmoore]

Good one Ambrose.

[A.A. Cunningham]

The Real Reagan Record

[dennisw]

good one!!!!

[kimmie7]

Wonderful article, as always from Peggy. Am eagerly anticipating more.

[Pokey78]

Peggy ping

[Constitution Day]

BTTT

[iceskater]

Thanks for the ping.

I'm glad she mentioned the music. I thought all the music played at the National Cathedral and at the Library was wonderful. I miss those old hymns. My church never plays them anymore and I miss them.