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Updated: 10:41 a.m. ET June 09, 2004SIMI VALLEY, Calif. - After more than 100,000 admirers of Ronald Reagan filed past the former president’s flag-draped coffin at the hilltop library in California that bears his name, the focus shifted to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, as the Reagan family prepared to escort his remains on a flight to the nation's capital aboard a presidential Boeing 747.
The body, which is scheduled to arrive at Andrews Air Force base at around 5 p.m. EST, will then to be taken to the Capitol Rotunda to lie in state until a funeral at the National Cathedral on Friday. It will then be returned to California for burial at the presidential library that evening.
Reagan, the nation’s 40th chief executive, was 93 when he died Saturday of pneumonia, as a complication of Alzheimer’s disease. He announced he had the disease a decade ago.
His death revealed that the popularity of the former Republican president, California governor and movie actor remained strong despite his long absence from public life.
“It is unbelievable what I am seeing on TV,” Reagan office chief of staff Joanne Drake quoted Nancy Reagan as saying Tuesday. “The outpouring of love for my husband is incredible.”
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More than 106,000 Californians paid their respects to former president this week, sometimes waiting for hours and backing up traffic on a freeway leading to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Surprised organizers extended the viewing period Tuesday by four hours to accommodate the crowds.
Some mourners came in their Sunday best, while others looked ready to hit the beach in shorts and flip-flops. All fell silent at the first glimpse of the casket.
“We knew it was going to be high, but quite honestly we didn’t know it was going to be this high,” said Gary Foster, a spokesman for the Reagan family.
Demand to see the former president caused traffic to grind to a halt on the Ronald Reagan Freeway, with delays of up to four hours. Mourners who made it through the traffic reported waiting up to eight hours for a shuttle bus at Moorpark College, even though the number of buses was doubled to nearly 50.
The flow of mourners was interrupted briefly when the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, arrived Tuesday afternoon. Standing before the casket, he made the sign of the cross, placed his hand over his heart, then left.
The visitors were a cross-section of America: retirees, business people, families, veterans.
“Reagan was truly the people’s president, and you can see it here,” said Maura Ripsen of Anaheim Hills, who came with her husband, Steve, son, Sean, 6, and daughter, Katherine, 23 months.
“How blessed the whole world is that he held office for as long as he did,” said Navy Ens. Laurie Zimmet, 40, of Los Angeles. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s the greatest president of the 20th century.”
Short family service
The public expression of sympathy for Reagan's death began Monday after his body, accompanied by Nancy Reagan, 82, and his children, was brought 40 miles from a Santa Monica mortuary by motorcade to the library in the Ventura County hills northwest of Los Angeles.
After a short service, Nancy Reagan walked to the casket and placed her left cheek to it. Her daughter, Patti Davis, hugged her tightly, and other family members joined them around the casket.
Would Ronald Reagan make your list of the two greatest Presidents of the 20th Century?
Yes
73%
No
27%
The library then opened to throngs.
The period in which Reagan’s body was to lie in repose at the library was originally supposed to end at 6 p.m. Tuesday, but the overwhelming turnout forced an extension to 10 p.m. More buses were added to the shuttle fleet to handle the crowds.
The Red Cross handed out cups of water that were gulped down by mourners before they boarded buses for the return to Moorpark College.
Among the first to attend the public viewing were Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, who stood silently, made signs of the cross and left. Reagan himself was California's governor from 1967 to 1975.
Among the celebrities who came Tuesday were Morgan Fairchild and Bruce Boxleitner, who arrived as representatives of the Screen Actors Guild, which Reagan once led.
Actress Bo Derek also paid her respects, saying she became a Republican when Reagan became president, citing his belief in smaller government and optimism.
“It’s something when you first see the flag on the casket,” she said. “I’m stunned. He was such a great man.”
Mourners reflect on the man
But most of those who came were regular folks.
Jesse and Joni Garcia of Woodland left their home in Northern California at 6 p.m. Monday and finally walked past the casket at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday.
“It took five hours for the last five miles of the freeway,” said Jesse Garcia, 52. They spent two more hours in the parking lot before boarding a bus.
“It’s a lifetime event. I wanted to show my gratitude. I wanted to show my love,” he said.
“He came home last night and said, ‘We’re leaving in 15 minutes,’ ” his wife said.
“I knew they’d think I was nuts,” her husband added. “But he’s a homeboy — our governor, our president.”
Humbert Cabrera, 38, of San Diego, said while waiting in line: “He should be on Mount Rushmore. He was one of us. He lifted us all.”
RONALD WILSON REAGAN 1911-2004
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