Patrick Kennedy leaves note for Ted on gravesite: "Dad, the unfinished business is done."

Washington comPost ^ | March 24, 2010 | Philip Rucker and Eli Saslow

[Zakeet]

The political odyssey of health care reform in many ways is the story of Ted Kennedy, and as President Obama signed the historic bill into law Tuesday, Kennedy's gravesite was a place of quiet celebration and poignant reflection.

The late senator's widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, spent hours Sunday at the simple white cross at Arlington National Cemetery marking where her husband was laid to rest only seven months ago. Ted Kennedy's youngest son, Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.), visited on Monday morning and left a hand-written note that read: "Dad, the unfinished business is done."

And on a dreary Tuesday morning, dozens of school children and health care advocates paused at Kennedy's tombstone to commemorate the man who for decades made overhauling the nation's health-care system his life's mission.

Kennedy's legacy was not lost on anyone who filled the East Room of the White House for Obama's bill-signing ceremony. Members of Congress wore blue "TedStrong" wristbands in his honor and posed for pictures with Patrick Kennedy. Caroline Kennedy, the senator's niece, sat in the front row, with other members of the storied family. Vicki Kennedy walked into the room with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.).

Obama received a thunderous applause when he evoked the ghost of Ted Kennedy near the climax of his speech.

[Snip]

When Obama sat to sign the bill, Patrick and Vicki Kennedy stood behind him. Finally, Ted Kennedy's dream became the law of the land.

[pnh102]

Ted Kennedy curses the ground of Arlington National Cemetery.

[RabidBartender]

"Oddly, the whole area surrounding the grave smelled of urine."

[Touch Not the Cat]

.
I’d like to do my business on that treasonous murderer’s grave.

[bgill]

That note is very creepy.

[ConservativeStatement]

Dead Dad: Where did you leave the key for the liquor cabinet? Your loving, burp, excuse me, son.

[gathersnomoss]

Barry has done to America what Ted did to Mary Jo.

[mass55th]

I didn’t think that Congressional stationery was supposed to be used for personal business. I thought it was only to be used for Congressional business.

[2dogjoe]

Oh, pleazze. Give me a break patrick.

[Pollster1]

I’ll bet a lot of patriotic Americans have done their business on Teddy’s grave too, but I didn’t expect Patrick Kennedy to join that group.

[Jazz1968]

I ate a lot of corn and peanuts last night, so I have some really special business to leave for Teddy.

[puppypusher]

And how did the Washington Post know that the Kennedy family would be at the gravesite?They were notified in advance.

More political theater from the kennedy’s.

[Dallas59]

HE SOLD THE OLDSMOBILE!!!

[timeflies]

I’d LOVE to see that!

[bgill]

Whenever I visit loved ones’ graves, I always take along a camera crew, too!

[kcvl]

Philip Rucker

Eli Saslow (of "The sun glistened off his chiseled pectorals" fame) is back on the Obama beat

[b4its2late]

[Ditter]

Somebody left him flowers too. They broke a branch off someones camelia bush, hopefully their own camelia, but knowing the Kennedys...........

[trisham]

Patches is a moron.

[Gay State Conservative]

They had to bury Fatboy at Arlington to keep his grave from being used as a urinal in MA.

My sister-in-law's uncle is buried within feet of where the scumbags who gave rise to Teddy,Bobby and all those slimey grandchildren are buried.Perhaps I'll go down there soon...making sure I have a full bladder when I arrive and an empty one when I leave.

[Rummyfan]

I for one believe that Ted Kenney will go down in history as having done grave damage to this nation. I find this tribute from his son sickening and eagerly look forward to 2011 - when there will be no Kennedys in federal office!