gathered at Washington’s National Cathedral to say farewell to the 40th president of the United States, Friday June 11.
"I am the resurrection and the life," Rev. John Danforth began, reading from the Book of John. Danforth, who presided over the service, became an Episcopal priest after retiring from the U.S. Senate. He watched as President Bush took Mrs. Reagan by the hand and led her to her seat in a front row pew. She displayed little visible emotion during the service, occasionally bowing her head.
Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner read from a sermon delivered by John Winthrop in 1630 where he referred to America as a "city on a hill," a phrase oft quoted by President Reagan in his speeches. The same phrase derives from the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus said, "A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."
A videotaped eulogy was played from former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher–present at the cathedral–but forbidden to speak publicly by her doctors due to health concerns. Crediting Reagan with ending the Cold War, she said "His resolve was firm and" unyielding…He invited enemies out of their fortress and turned them into friends. Thatcher, whose face was somewhat hidden by a black hat, sat next to Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader’s a former adversary turned friend.
"He was able to say God bless America with equal fervor in public and in private," Thatcher intoned. "The world mourns the passing of a great liberator." She said Reagan sometimes referred to God in their private conversations as "The Big Fella upstairs," and she was certain "all the trumpets sounded on the other side" when Reagan entered eternal life.
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER
Next Brian Mulroney, the former Canadian Prime Minister, eulogized his friend. He recalled waiting with Reagan for their wives in an airplane hangar one day. When their wives emerged from a car, Reagan put his arm around Mulroney’s shoulder and said, "You know, Brian, for two Irishmen, we sure married up."
Mulroney said part of Reagan’ss secret was that he invited his countrymen to dream big dreams. Referring to Reagan as a gracious human being, Mulroney quoted from Yates, saying, "My glory was that I had such friends."
Many of the remarks focused on Reagan’s love for his wife. Former President George H. W. Bush said "Nancy’s love for him provided much of his strength. "As a couple, Bush was impressed by the way they provided comfort for the nation in times of national tragedy, such as the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger.
EMOTIONAL BUSH
Bush, with his voice breaking, said he learned kindness and decency from his friend ”more than from any other political leader. Bush recalled visiting Reagan in the hospital after the assassination attempt, and watched Reagan as he mopped water off the floor of his room because he didn’st want a nurse to slip. "Humility goes before honor ”who could not cherish such a man." Bush also said he contacted Rev. Billy Graham to ask for a scripture passage to read on the occasion, and Graham gave him a passage from Psalm 37, which Bush read.
Reagan grew up in a small town " where you prayed side-by-side with your neighbors," said current President George W. Bush. "He believed everything happened for a reason, and that we should strive to do the will of God. He believed in the golden rule and the power of prayer. He believed America was not just a place in the world, but the hope of the world."
"He showed us not only what a leader should be, he also showed us what a man should be," President Bush continued. " He was angered by injustice and frightened by nothing. Americans saw death approach Ronald Reagan twice. He met both with courage and grace. Where does that strength come from? It is the faith of a boy who read the Bible with his mother."
REAGAN’S DIARY
President Bush recalled a passage from Reagan’s diary, where Reagan wrote that he prayed for his assassin John Hinckley, before he prayed for his own recovery.
"Death has done all that death can do," President Bush said. "In his last years he saw through a glass darkly, but now he sees his Savior clearly," he said.
Rev. John Danforth said "If ever we have known a child of light it was Ronald Reagan. He had no dark side, no scary hidden agenda. What you saw was that sure sign of inner light. He didn’t need to be president to be a complete person. He shined the light, but not on himself."
RECALLING HORRORS
Recalling the horrors of September 11, when a bright sunny day in New York was enveloped by darkness, Rev. Danforth said, "Darkness is real and it can be terrifying. What do we do when darkness surrounds us? St. Paul taught we should walk as children of light "the resurrection means that death is not the end. The darkness of Good Friday did not prevail. The light shines "the Lord has risen."
Reagan’s daughter Patti was in tears at the conclusion of Rev. Danfort’s eulogy. Then Irish tenor Ronan Tynan sang Amazing Grace and Rev. Danforth led the assembled guests in reciting the Lord’s Prayer.
At the conclusion of the service, eight members of the armed services carried Reagan’s flag-draped coffin out of the cathedral and into a waiting hearse. The motorcade then departed for Andrews Air Force Base and a plane trip to California. Reagan will be buried at sunset at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
