One thing I forgot to mention about the ceremony at the Capitol. By the time the ceremony was finished it was after 6. The sun was starting to get low in the sky. As the hearse pulled away from the Capitol moving toward Constitution Avenue, the sun came through the windows of the hearse and I got a clear view of the coffin with the flag on top of it. It was a truly amazing sight.
Here's some video from the ceremony.
Showing posts with label Ted Kennedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ted Kennedy. Show all posts
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Kennedy at the Capitol
I'd debated whether to go down and see the ceremony for Ted Kennedy at the Senate. It would be very brief. But I finally decided to go. I took the Metro to Union Station and then walked to the Capitol. I got a good spot off to the right of the Senate wing very close to where the ceremony would be. It was very thankfully in the shade. It was a fairly humid and hot day.
It turned out they were running late. The plane had been delayed leaving Boston due to weather. The ceremony was supposed to be around 4:30. It now looked like it would be closer to 6 or maybe even later. I decided to stay put. I thought I'd been here this long might as well stay.
About an hour or so before the ceremony the police allowed us to move closer to the building. There was a dash by people to get a better spot. I liked where I ended up being off to the side. It turned out a little hard to hear what was said but otherwise a great spot. I shot some video which I will post soon.
There was some cloud cover and that kept the heat down a little. But for some people the heat was too much. At least half a dozen people had to helped by emergency personnel suffering from the heat.
The most ironic moment of the day was a women waiting who had on a McCain/Palin t-shirt. Figure that one out.
Finally the motorcade arrived. It came up over the rise in the Capitol drive and in the lead was the hearse with Kennedy's body. The crowd on the steps and everywhere else for that matter burst into applause.
The ceremony was short. A pray. A heartfelt thank you to all staff. A song. Then it was back in the cars and on the way to Arlington National Cemetery. I got a very good look at the flag draped coffin as they drove out toward Constitution Avenue. I also got to see Vicky in her car. She was waving to the the crowd. I hope she was able to draw strength from all the well wishers on the route.
I followed the motorcade out of the Capitol grounds. I was going to go further but somehow my heart just wasn't in it. I'd done what I'd set out to do. I said my farewell to a great man, a great Senator, a great patriot.
It turned out they were running late. The plane had been delayed leaving Boston due to weather. The ceremony was supposed to be around 4:30. It now looked like it would be closer to 6 or maybe even later. I decided to stay put. I thought I'd been here this long might as well stay.
About an hour or so before the ceremony the police allowed us to move closer to the building. There was a dash by people to get a better spot. I liked where I ended up being off to the side. It turned out a little hard to hear what was said but otherwise a great spot. I shot some video which I will post soon.
There was some cloud cover and that kept the heat down a little. But for some people the heat was too much. At least half a dozen people had to helped by emergency personnel suffering from the heat.
The most ironic moment of the day was a women waiting who had on a McCain/Palin t-shirt. Figure that one out.
Finally the motorcade arrived. It came up over the rise in the Capitol drive and in the lead was the hearse with Kennedy's body. The crowd on the steps and everywhere else for that matter burst into applause.
The ceremony was short. A pray. A heartfelt thank you to all staff. A song. Then it was back in the cars and on the way to Arlington National Cemetery. I got a very good look at the flag draped coffin as they drove out toward Constitution Avenue. I also got to see Vicky in her car. She was waving to the the crowd. I hope she was able to draw strength from all the well wishers on the route.
I followed the motorcade out of the Capitol grounds. I was going to go further but somehow my heart just wasn't in it. I'd done what I'd set out to do. I said my farewell to a great man, a great Senator, a great patriot.
On the Grounds of the Capitol
The grounds of the Capitol. The first pictures show current and former Kennedy staff members gathering to say there final goodbye.
After waiting awhile the Capitol police allowed the crowd to move in closer. It gave everyone a much better vantage point from which to watch the ceremony.
Part of the crowd on the grounds of the Capitol.
After waiting awhile the Capitol police allowed the crowd to move in closer. It gave everyone a much better vantage point from which to watch the ceremony.
Part of the crowd on the grounds of the Capitol.
On the Grounds of the Capitol, Part II
The first three pictures are of the motorcade as it stopped on the Senate side of the Capitol. Again the people on the steps are current and former staff members.
Some of the many people that lined the route. This is the steps of one of the Senate office buildings.
The procession turned onto Constitution Avenue on its way to Arlington National Cemetery.
Some of the many people that lined the route. This is the steps of one of the Senate office buildings.
The procession turned onto Constitution Avenue on its way to Arlington National Cemetery.
Ceremony for Ted Kennedy
Even the local school down the block from me lowered their flag to half mast in honor of Kennedy.
Orrin Hatch's Tribute to Ted Kennedy
Not many people may know that Orrin Hatch is a song writer. Here is his tribute to his friend Ted Kennedy it is called Headed Home.
Friday, August 28, 2009
2Political Episode 14
2PP014 - 28 August 2009
2Political Podcast Episode 14 is now available.
Remembering Senator Ted Kennedy: Today we have a special episode about Senator Edward M. Kennedy, his career, his legacy and what his death means for not just liberals, but the US Senate generally. We also share some personal memories and reflections.
You can listen to it on the widget on the right side of my blog, or you can go the podcast site, 2political.com. You can leave comments there as well as download or listen to any episode.
Get 2Poltical Podcast for free on iTunes
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Lion of the Senate, Edward M. Kennedy
His voice is stilled.
We have all suffered a great loss.
This country has suffered a great loss.
Last night we lost a great patriot.
There's a great deal going through my mind right now about Senator Edward Kennedy. A sense of loss and sadness. I cannot remember a time in my life when a Kennedy was not a prominent figure on the political scene. It will indeed be strange not to have one there. It will be strange not to have Ted around. A man who fought so hard for those things he believed in. I will miss that fierce devotion to the causes he supported.
At the same time, I will miss his ability to work across the isle to achieve legislation needed in this country. The two that most immediately pieces that come to mind are the American's with Disability Act and No Child Left Behind.
I'm going to close with this excerpt from his 1980 speech at the Democratic National Convention:
Senator you did that work for a very long time. Senator you have done you part. It's now our turn to pick up where you left off. To carry the work and the dream forward in your memory. To carry it forward to all Americans
Thank you Senator Kennedy. You will be missed.
We have all suffered a great loss.
This country has suffered a great loss.
Last night we lost a great patriot.
There's a great deal going through my mind right now about Senator Edward Kennedy. A sense of loss and sadness. I cannot remember a time in my life when a Kennedy was not a prominent figure on the political scene. It will indeed be strange not to have one there. It will be strange not to have Ted around. A man who fought so hard for those things he believed in. I will miss that fierce devotion to the causes he supported.
At the same time, I will miss his ability to work across the isle to achieve legislation needed in this country. The two that most immediately pieces that come to mind are the American's with Disability Act and No Child Left Behind.
I'm going to close with this excerpt from his 1980 speech at the Democratic National Convention:
For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.
Senator you did that work for a very long time. Senator you have done you part. It's now our turn to pick up where you left off. To carry the work and the dream forward in your memory. To carry it forward to all Americans
Thank you Senator Kennedy. You will be missed.
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