Reagan funeral draws Hoosiers

WASHINGTON -- Several IU students drove over 10 hours and waited in line for another four to pay their last respects to former President Ronald Reagan this week in the nation's capital.\nIU senior Angel Rivera made the journey to Washington D.C. across packed highways to meet up with several colleagues of his from IU College Republicans to take part in the event. \n"It was well worth it," Rivera said. "He did so much for us and it was a great chance to show our respects."\nOn Wednesday, Reagan's body arrived in D.C. where it was escorted to the Capitol Building in a military processional in which a riderless horse, led by a military serviceman, trotted past the crowds carrying Reagan's famous cowboy boots for all to see. More than 100,000 from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. to witness the presidential funeral.\nIt has been 31 years since a presidential funeral has taken place in the nation's capital. Lyndon Johnson was the last commander in chief to be put to rest with such pomp and ritual. In 1994, Richard Nixon's family bypassed the D.C. ceremonies at the late president's request.\nSophomore Andrew Lauck, who flew out to witness the event with his fellow College Republicans, said the processional was "probably the most memorable part of (his) trip."\nLauck was standing along 16th Street and Constitution Avenue when the event began. Only a few feet away from him, he said, they unloaded the hearse and carried out the flag-draped casket. As Nancy Reagan, the former first lady, walked out of the car, everybody in the crowd began cheering and applauding in a burst of excitement.\n"When I heard everybody clapping, I realized that being here was a good thing because it showed support not only for the spectators but for the Reagan family," Lauck said.\nSweat dripped from many onlookers as temperatures reached the 90s. Junior Matt Tyrrell, an intern in the U.S. Senate, said the heat and humidity made it extremely uncomfortable, especially for those wearing business suits, but said "the heat was well worth it because of the experience."\nThe heat wasn't the only problem that plagued visitors. Security was also a concern as international leaders left directly from the G-8 Economic Summit at Sea Island, Georgia to congregate in Washington, D.C. An hour before the processional Wednesday, an airplane carrying the Kentucky governor to the funeral flew into restricted airspace causing panic in the Capitol. Tyrrell said he heard alarms and saw people running from the Russell Senate Building in a panic as the Capitol was evacuated briefly. \nMore than 5,000 police officers were on hand to provide security against the threat of terrorism, and local police were placed every 25 feet for the entire length of Reagan's processional.\nOnce Reagan's body was placed in the Capitol Rotunda, nearly 100,000 people walked past his casket during the 34 hours that his body lay in state.\nLauck and Rivera, alongside other friends from College Republicans, arrived early at 7 a.m., but were not able to reach the casket until 11:05 a.m. During their four hours of waiting, they chatted with several other supporters of the late president, including many Indiana residents.\nRivera said he greeted several Hoosiers wearing "My Man Mitch" T-shirts to show support for Indiana gubernatorial candidate Mitch Daniels and even noticed that an entire Indianapolis high school, Heritage Christian, traveled to the capital for the event.\nAs he approached the rotunda, Lauck said he was in awe of how solemn it was.\n"When you wait in line for almost four hours, everybody is just wasting time talking," he said. "Everybody is being social and joking around, but when you got up to the rotunda, the talking dies down to almost nothing. And when you walk by the casket, it was weird because I've never been in a situation where it was dead silent with so many people in one place."\nLauck and Rivera were lucky to get there early, as other participants spent nearly 12 hours in line during the peak hours. Still, Lauck said that wouldn't have been a problem for him.\n"It's Reagan," he said. "I probably would have waited twice as long."\nOn their ride back, Lauck, Rivera and their friends reflected and reminisced about Reagan and his contributions to history.\n"Everybody was talking about their favorite Reagan quotes and memories of him," he said. "It was a nice way to take a moment and look back and to give back to one of our greatest presidents."\nRivera said he told his friends the thing most people would remember about Reagan was his personality and leadership.\n"His greatest quality is that he had such character," he said. "He was a charming guy. He was funny and he made you feel good. He was strong-willed and determined. Some people call him the 'Great Communicator,' but I'd call him the 'Great Liberator' because of all he did to end the Cold War."\n-- Contact staff writer Adam Aasen at aaasen@indiana.edu.