Viewing the Caisson, Bidding Farewell ...

self | joanie--f

[joanie-f]

I cry not only mourning the passage of President Ronald Reagan, I mourn the passing of the last, best opportunity which he gave us. How quickly we destroyed the fruits of his vision and labor. How stupidly we rejoiced the set back of Commnunism and the Soviet Empire as the thousand year peace, and, instead of redoubling our efforts to secure the peace and punish the despots, declared premature victory, pocketed our peace dividend and paved the way to utter disaster. I grieve, I mourn and I simmer with anger. But I accept that we deserve what now is almost inevitable. God help us and God Bless Ronald Reagan. May he rest in peace and may his spirit of goodness steer us through the approaching storm. Amen.

I wouldn't change, or disagree with, a word of your sentiments. Informed, intelligent-based eloquence. Thank you.

[seenenuf]

You are the personification of what is American
clear-thinking and the wonderful use of FR.
Thank you.

[CasearianDaoist]

And the media would have us all believe that all of those people waited all of those houes just to "see a little history." Any idea as to how many viewers in total in the Rotunda their will be.

[Chieftain]

You did a fabulous job with this report. I will save it for posterity!

[joanie-f]

Thanks for the kind comments.

[joanie-f]

Thank you.

[joanie-f]

Wish-I-was-there-bump.

It was indeed a day to remember.

But the television coverage (FOXNews especially) provides a taste.

[OldFriend]

At this point the media is saying 5,000 per hour thru the rotunda.

No doubt they will underestimate the final total.

But we know that millions of us are there in spirit too.

[joanie-f]

Knowing that he is gone from us....no longer breathes the same air we do....but now that he is eternally in that 'shining city'.....I believe he'll keep a special eye on his beloved Nancy and the America he loves so much.

Thank you for the kind words. I agree completely about his special eye. And Nancy knows it better than any of us. Their 'connection' was beautiful and entirely unique.

[joanie-f]

Thanks for the kind comments.

[elbucko]

I deeply admire the faith, courage, goodness and vision of [George] Washington, but I believe even he cannot measure up to President Reagan.

Respectfully, I slightly disagree and I think Reagan would. Oh it's a close call, I admit. They both defeated two "Evil Empires" and propped up the nation at low times. But Washington set the standards of the presidency so high, that it takes a man of Reagan's quality to even be compared to Washington. Washington truly was "The Father of his Country". Without Washington, there would have been no USA, no Ronald Reagan.

Sincerely, Buck

[Maigret]

Many thanks

[joanie-f]

I live here in the D.C. area but didn't think I could handle going down there.

It is a moving experience, but, if you can manage to do so, I urge you to go down there -- the Rotunda is open through the night tonight, and, were I in the DC area, I would consider going there to pay my respects in the wee hours of Friday morning. I would imagine, that, at that hour, the atmosphere would be even more solemn and reverent.

Thanks so much for the kind comments.

[joanie-f]

You're welcome, Al. Thanks for the kind comments.

[beaureguard]

"One person in our vicinity called out, ‘God bless you, Nancy’

That was clearly audible on the C-SPAN coverage, so it was heard by millions."

Joanie, good post and pictures. Thank you.

I was trying to keep up with the live thread last night, and there was speculation that the person who called out "God bless you Nancy" was a Freeper. Any confirmation of that? Some posters believed they recognized the voice.

[GOPCajunLady]

Thanks so much for this Joanie! I'm officebound and can't see the TV!! I want to cry seeing the Riderless Horse!! Well, he's riding in Heaven now. :o/

[wolficatZ]

Wonderfully written; you were right where yesterday we watched from afar; and right now, reading your account and watching the powerful image of people silently filing by him on the C-Span feed is the next best thing to being there. Many thanks, it means a lot to us who are thousands of miles away, but would give anything to be there too.

[Professional Engineer]

Awesome report. Thank you very much!

[AGreatPer]

Thank you for one of the most outstand posts ever.

Yes, you made us all feel like we were there. Your an outstanding writer. You always have been. But now your a true photo-journalist.

Thank you.

Bill in Hershey

[arjay]

Thank you very much for your pictures and thoughts. I wish I could have been there, but you helped make it more personal for me since I could not be there.