Military to Support Reagan Funeral, Bush Issues Executive Order - on Reagan's Death

DoD-AFPS ^ | June 7, 2004 | Kathleen T. Rhem, Gerry J. Gilmore

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Military to Support Reagan Funeral

By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2004 – Military members around the country are working to honor a former commander in chief this week.

The death of former President Ronald Reagan June 5 set into motion a plan that will end up involving countless military members from all the armed forces.

As a past commander in chief, Reagan is being afforded many military honors, according to officials from the U.S. Army's Military District of Washington. MDW is responsible for coordinating arrangements for the many events leading up to Reagan's official state funeral in Washington June 11.

Traditionally, the president directs the secretary of defense to oversee funeral arrangements. This responsibility is further delegated through the secretary of the Army to the MDW commanding general.

In this role, the MDW commander, currently Army Maj. Gen. Galen B. Jackman, will escort Reagan's immediate family members during the formal events.

A military guard of honor will provide security for Reagan's remains during periods of lying in state, till 6 p.m. Pacific time June 8 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, in Simi Valley, Calif., and at the U.S. Capitol for 24 hours beginning 8:30 p.m. Eastern time June 9.

At every point in the journey, a joint-service honor guard performs an arrival or departure ceremony to honor the fallen president.

After Reagan's remains are transported to the East Coast, they will be carried at least part of the way to the Capitol by a military caisson from the 3rd U.S. Infantry, the Army's ceremonial "Old Guard" headquartered at Fort Myer, Va. The caisson is a converted transport wagon for a 75 mm cannon drawn by six horses of the same color.

A riderless horse will follow the caisson. "A pair of boots are reversed in the stirrups of the empty saddle to symbolize that the warrior will never ride again," according to information on the MDW Web site.

A military band will play at each phase of the official funeral events, and a military honor guard will fire a traditional 21-gun salute at noon local time on U.S. military bases on the day of interment.

Also as part of honors owed to a previous president upon his death, all U.S. flags flown on government installations will be flown at half-staff for 30 days from the date of death.

Biography:
President Ronald Reagan

Related Sites:
Military District of Washington
3rd U.S. Infantry
President Reagan's Day-by-Day Funeral Schedule

~*~

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Bush Issues Executive Order, Proclamation on Reagan's Death

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

Department of Defense

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2004 – President Bush issued an executive order closing federal offices June 11 in observance of Reagan's passing.

That June 6 order does not apply to organizations that need to stay open because of national security, defense or essential public business. Included in the exceptions are the departments of State, Defense, Justice and Homeland Security.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld put out further guidance in a memo today to all military organizations and elements under DoD.

In it, he directed that "all addressees shall determine which elements" under them "shall remain open to support and conduct military activities related to the global war o n terrorism; to maintain the health, safety and protection of DoD personnel and facilities; and to ensure the continuance of their respective organization's mission-essential functions."

"You should ensure that sufficient staff is on hand to support them in carrying out your essential responsibilities," Rumsfeld wrote to all DoD leaders.

The president proclaimed June 11 as a national day of mourning to honor the memory of the former president.

Reagan possessed "an unshakeable faith in the values of our country and the character of our people" and "renewed America's confidence and restored our nation," Bush proclaimed on June 6.

Reagan's "optimism, strength and humility," Bush pointed out, "epitomized the American spirit."

His "courage and determination," the president said, had "enhanced America's security and advanced the spread of peace, liberty and democracy to millions of people who had lived in darkness and oppression."

Bush asked the American people "to pay homage to the memory of President Reagan" on June 11, adding that he invites "the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance."

Reagan's leadership as chief executive "has left us stronger and better," Bush declared, noting the former president "has left us for a better place, the shining city that awaits him."

~*~

[chambley1]

The Democraps in my federal office are loathing they have Friday off!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

      

        President Ronald Reagan 

 

 

[Severa]

Hmm. Not sure yet if this extends to my husband's work or not. Will have to wait and see.

(Oh BTW today is my husband's 27th birthday...)

[BillyCrockett]

"The Democraps in my federal office are loathing they have Friday off!"

Then, by all means, I think they ought to stay right there and work on Friday! Poor little Dems have lost there way.

[Allegra]

U.S. installations in Iraq have had their flags at half mast and I'm sure they'll stay that way for the requisite 30 days.

[Delphinium]

I wish he would use Executive Order to put through some of the things Reagan lived for.

Getting judges appointed, ending abortion. etc.

[The Other Harry]

Up until now, I have managed to insulate myself emotionally from Reagan's death.

Not anymore. This article brought tears.

[Milligan]

My spouse and I served in the Navy while Reagan was in office. He was a good CIC. We put our flag up. We draped our flag with a black Navy neckerchief to honor him. Reagan really helped out the military and he appreciated the service member in uniform. Our quality of life improved. Many sailors appreciated their first signicant pay raise in years where a E-6 didn't need food stamps. Training improved. The fleet was improved with proper funding and many were properly manned. Bush is trying his best to help the military. He has increase our pay and improved VA benefits. However, he inherited Clinton's drastic downsizing and the Administration's indifference to funding the military properly. Bush has to work from bottom up to make improvements especially during war time. Bush has to work with the resources given to him. I think Kerry will make our military apart of the UN to cut military budget in his mind. I'm weary of Kerry.

[MeekOneGOP]

Ronald Reagan with his
older brother Neil Reagan.
circa 1912.

[BSunday]

The Democraps in my federal office are loathing they have Friday off!

What a bunch of morons. It's just like the Dims to cut off their nose to spite their face.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Hostel!

 

~  ~

 

 

 

Thanks, Severa. Please send him a (belated) long-distance 

birthday hug from a grateful civilian, and keep one for yourself!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for sharing your experience as a member of the military serving under President Reagan, and your observations about his not-so-noble successor - concerns about an unfaithful Kerry and UN, Milligan.

I share your concerns, as do millions, even civilians and foreign allies who know America under a God-fearing President is their best protection - who love and support our troops, and Veterans - and freedom.

Thank you for your continuing service. God bless our military families!