LIVE THREAD: Reagan State Funeral Ceremony: Arrival at the Capitol

www.freerepublic.com | June 9, 2004

[Howlin]

Arrival at Andrews Air Force Base scheduled for 5 P.M. EDT.

Beginning of procession: 16th and Constitution at 6:00 P.M.

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The procession begins at 16 th Street and Constitution Avenue with the ceremonial transfer of remains of former President Ronald Reagan from a hearse to a horse-drawn caisson for the processional to the Capitol. The casket transfer will take place at 6 p.m. and caisson continues east with formal military escort.

The public will be able to pay final respects while the remains lie in state in the Capitol rotunda from 7:00 p.m. through Friday, June 11, 2004 at 9:30 a.m.

[hole_n_one]

The logistics of DC and the Capitol buliding are certainly more condusive to this type of mass influx of people as opposed to the one off-ramp unless you know of or know somebody tht knows of that backdoor route named I 23 scenario posed by Moorepark College.

[Political Junkie Too]

I drove up to Simi Valley on Monday night with two friends.

Here's a series of pictures showing the crowd at Simi Valley.

-PJ

[swheats]

Evening folks or is it morning already. Y'all must be on the West coast? This is unbelievable to see the streams continue.

[swheats]

The white line in the back, is that coming to the Reagan Memorial?

[ambrose]

but obviously, the real difference is that JFK was murdered in the prime of his life, whereas Reagan lived a full, rich, and happy life, and basically died of old age. He had a horrible illness, but according to Patti, he had one final moment where he "came to" and she saw happiness in his eyes.

thus, I think it is only appropriate that the mood not be overly somber. In any event, I'm more into "celebration of life" funerals, not somber cryfests...

[Jet Jaguar]

another changing of the guard.

[Political Junkie Too]

I thought so. I thought the picture was of traffic in both directions meeting at an intersection, heading to the library. I don't know the area to say for sure.

-PJ

[ambrose]

have the people stopped coming? East Coasters are weak...

[hole_n_one]

Y'all must be on the West coast? This is unbelievable to see the streams continue.

Despite the constraints, there were those who waited 7, 8, 9, 10 hours to spend a few seconds with President Reagan.

Tomorrow, the residents of S.Cal will be given the motorcade route for Friday's traverse to the RR Library for the President's final repose.

You mentioned the stream.......

You ain't seen nothing yet.

[Jet Jaguar]

nope, they were changing the guard. They have to stop people from coming in at that point,

[Texasforever]

I have to hand it to the Honor Guard. I can't imagine standing at attention for 5 hours.

[swheats]

LOL I'd have to say that a West coaster can be a little weak too at 3:30am after standing for hours in a line.

They continue. I sat down for a minute to get an update and I haven't been able to leave yet.

[ambrose]

Tomorrow, the residents of S.Cal will be given the motorcade route for Friday's traverse to the RR Library for the President's final repose. You mentioned the stream....... You ain't seen nothing yet.

Will you be there Friday?

[Jet Jaguar]

They are busting their butts.

I have noticed that they are occaisionally moving to parade rest briefly. they are right now for what it's worth. Oops, they are at attention again.

This is smart. I would hate to have a trooper fall out during this important detail.

[Texasforever]

This line hasn't broken since the public was let in. I have never seen anything like it.

[Dont Mention the War]

I think one of the reasons things appear more leisurely in the Capitol than in Simi Valley (other than it being 3:40 am, and if you ask me, things are getting busier!) was that 500,000 people got to watch the funeral procession wind through Washington. For the most part, people in California had to go to the Library to pay any respects at all.

OTOH, the changing of the Honor Guard detail seems to take considerably longer in DC.

It's a much bigger room. They have further to walk!

[swheats]

I believe you. This president is like a magnet.

[Recovering_Democrat]

I bet the family requested the "highest-ranking" Republican in each legislative body...instead of the exact "leadership", you know?

[Jet Jaguar]

Nor have I. It is something to watch.

[ambrose]

Just like Simi...

I think Jimmuh Carter will probably spare himself the embarassment and not ask to be in the rotunda since no one will bother to visit.