Public gets chance to pay respects to Reagan

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. -- Nancy Reagan touched her cheek to the flag-covered casket, then made way for Americans by the thousands to pay respects Monday to Ronald Reagan before a cross-country journey to a state funeral in Washington.

A steady, near-silent stream of people -- some saluting, some praying -- circled through the rotunda of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, where the body of the nation's 40th president will lie in repose through today before traveling to Washington. After Friday's state funeral, the body will return to California for a hilltop burial service at sunset.

A Marine Corps band played "Hail to the Chief" as eight armed forces members carried the casket into the presidential library, past a 10-foot-tall sculpture titled "After the Ride" depicting Reagan as a smiling cowboy with a Stetson in his hand.

The journey began at a Santa Monica funeral home, where the mahogany casket was placed aboard a hearse for a 40-mile drive to the library in Simi Valley.

Clusters of people watched from overpasses and roadsides as the motorcade headed north, then west on the Ronald Reagan Freeway, its path cleared by motorcycle officers.

Flags at half-staff fluttered under an overcast sky as the casket was carried into the library rotunda before a brief family service.

"As we were in procession, I couldn't help but think of the love and the outpouring that has begun in the nation for a great president, a great world leader and a faithful servant of almighty God," said the Rev. Michael Wenning, retired senior pastor at Bel Air Presbyterian Church, where Reagan had worshipped.

When the service ended, Nancy Reagan, dressed in a black suit and pearls, walked to the casket, placing her left cheek against the flag's field of stars. Her daughter, Patti Davis, hugged her tightly and other family members joined them, placing hands on the casket.

Soon after the family departed, the first of many chartered buses arrived, bringing members of the public who had been waiting -- in some cases for hours -- for a chance to pay respects to Reagan, who died on Saturday after a 10-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease.

Between noon and 5 p.m., more than 9,200 people passed by the casket, said Melissa Giller, chief of staff for the library foundation. The library had prepared for 2,000 visitors an hour for 30 hours.

Mourners, including many children, stood quietly in line as they waited to enter the library, then moved rapidly past the casket flanked by an honor guard representing all branches of the military. Some people carried carnations or tiny U.S. flags; dress ranged from dark suits and ties to Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses.

Mauchese Franklin, 31, from Laverne, said he had wanted to visit Reagan's library for years and was sad that his trip resulted from the former president's death.

Franklin recalled that as a boy he stayed up late to listen to election returns from Reagan's presidential campaign.

"I couldn't wait to turn 18 to be able to vote," he said. "I can actually say he's the reason I am a registered Republican, even though everyone else in my family is a Democrat."

Roxanne Kubicek, 42, gave officers guarding the mortuary a card for Mrs. Reagan.

"I just wished her lots and lots of love," she said. "I admired the beautiful love that they have."

On Wednesday, the former president's body is to be flown to Washington, D.C. Following a ceremony Wednesday night in the Capitol Rotunda, the body will lie in state there.

Friday will be a national day of mourning, with all federal offices and major financial markets closed. The state funeral will be at Washington National Cathedral; President Bush will deliver a eulogy.

The body will then be returned to Reagan's library in Simi Valley for a private burial service Friday evening.