These are my favorites from the TiVo analysis of National Cathedral Service:
Barbara Bush was the only one among herself, Bush Sr, Bush Jr, and Laura who bowed her head when the cross passed her in the procession, as is the custom of many a haute Episcopalian.
Bill and Hilary Clinton were both indeed dozing off when Bush Jr was speaking. They both also were bobbing their heads ever so slightly along with one of the hymns.
Prince Charles also was dozing off (OK, he might have had jet lag.)
Bill Clinton clearly enjoys singing in church, as I could see from how he was singing Ode to Joy. Chin up, holding hymnal high.
Rumsfeld also appears to enjoy singing in church.
I was very disappointed that they did not focus the cameras on the service attendees when it came time to recite The Lord’s Prayer. I so would have like to have seen who knew the words to The Lord’s Prayer, and who did not.
Bush Sr started to break up emotionally when he said he learned more from Reagan than from anyone else he’d known in all his years of public service. He choked up, then powered through the rest of his thought.
Not from the funeral, but during the viewing, people were walking silently past the coffin when someone’s cell phone went off. And it wasn’t “Ode to Joy” or a simple ring, either. No, it was the little Nokia jingle. Oh dear.
My favorite moment was from the sunset service in Simi Valley, when the national anthem was played. All of the Reagans were singing, the Schwarzneggers weren’t, but surprisingly, Baronness Lady Thatcher was singing along and didn’t miss a single word. She’s so daggone classy it makes my teeth hurt.
My favorite moment was right at the end of the Simi Valley service. Nancy’s whole demeanor changed when she was given the flag. Add her grasping the flag in one hand, carressing the casket with the other while crying the entire time until her children (who sometimes were not close with Nancy) gathered around her to comfort her, and it was Bawlsville in this house.
HomeOfTheBraves, can you tell me what hymns were played in Simi Valley? I missed some of the middle of the service. I recorded it on TiVo, but don’t think I’ll get to dissect it for a few days.
I heard them play Abide With Me, and Just as I Am. Those are two great, hymns, and tear-jerkers even on the happiest of days. Do you know what else they played?
My husband told me the general who stood by Nancy Reagan’s side all week started to choke up when Ron Jr. was speaking about his father at the Simi Valley service.
Yes, I caught that moment, too. I thought Arnold actually looked bored.
And yes, Baroness Lady Thatcher is every inch the lady. When did she get that title, BTW, after she left office? Is it something she inherited, something she got through her husband or is it something Queen Elizabeth gave her?
I only caught the last few minutes of Ron Jr.'s eulogy… when he was recounting some humerous moments with his father. He seems to have inherited some of his father’s talent at public speaking… he was great!
I believe it was the elder Bush who told a story about Reagan in the hospital after he had been shot. Still recovering, he got out of bed to get sosme water and spilled some on the floor. Minutes later, when an orderly entered, he found Reagan on his hands and knees cleaning up the spill. He was afraid his nurse would be blamed for letting him he up and so get in to trouble.
As a politician, I disgreed with him almost 100%, but he was a good man.