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Affection
Friday June 11, 2004
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100,000 people filed past the casket of Ronald Reagan in California. Another, perhaps, quarter of a million will have waited between four and six hours to walk past his casket in the Rotunda of the US Capitol by the time his body is moved to the National Cathedral this morning.
The day had started with the local television and radio stations hysterical over the traffic jams which were going to greet Washingtonians with the closure of Constitution Avenue during rush hour on a work day.
The only thing which separated it from the kind of breathless coverage we get when a snow storm is due was, the Safeway wasn't stripped bare of milk and bread.
Some businesses closed early to give their employees the chance to watch the procession or to get a head start on the expected traffic jam from hell.
The day was hot and humid, so a good deal of the conversation dealt with how to balance getting a good viewing position against having to stand in the heat for too long.
We were told that the route along Constitution Avenue from the White House to Capitol Hill was jammed with crowds 10-15 deep waiting for a glimpse of the caisson to come by.
By the time my colleague Sonia Holman and I reached the parade route across from the National Gallery of Art, there were four or five rows of people in front of us. One group included a couple with two little blonde girls and their grandmother. Three generations.
Like thousands of others, we waited to � I wasn't certain what I was waiting to do. Was it to say goodbye? Or to participate in an historic event which hadn't happened in three decades? Or to simply see what was going on?
Bands representing each of the services marched slowly by playing, not jaunty martial tunes, but somber melodies more in keeping with the event.
Units from each of the services marched as well. Not huge units, but platoon-sized groups: four rows of ten services members. The Marines, not surprisingly, were in perfect step. The navy unit walked more-or-less in time to the music. We don't pay naval personnel to be good at close order drill. Maybe we don't pay Marines to be good at it, either, but they are.
When the car carrying Mrs. Reagan came by, people became silent. Mrs. Reagan, looking out through her large glasses, waved in gratitude. People waved back.
"It's coming," people whispered, and, lacking any other way to express themselves, applauded as President Reagan's casket rolled past them.
As the procession moved up Capitol Hill a series of jets flew low and loudly over the parade route. One group; then another and another. Everyone stopped and looked up to watch.
When the last group flew over one plane broke away and shot straight up. It was a hazy day and the jet disappeared into the sky.
I had brought two napkins with me. Without looking, I handed one to Sonia. I used the other. The imagry of an Air Force jet "slipping the surly bonds of Earth" was not lost on either of us.
In the event, there were no traffic jams.
What was it about Ronald Reagan which has caused much of the nation to halt and pay its respects? Maybe it is just the fact that no matter how great or how humble everyone's life will come to an end. Perhaps we honor Ronald Reagan for having made so much of the life he had and how, even in decline, he honored the nation which allowed him to reach his enormous potential.
Therein, I think, lies the lesson.
Thank you, Mr. President.
On the Secret Decoder Ring today: Two photos: One of the caisson rolling past us on Constitution Avenue; and an interesting photo taken at Lafayette Park across from the White House.
--END --
Copyright © 2004 Richard A. Galen
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