Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Plane scare as Reagan's coffin reaches Capitol

June 10, 2004 14:29 IST
Mourners turned out in thousands as the flag-draped coffin of former US President Ronald Reagan arrived at the US Capitol today even as the building was briefly evacuated following reports of a plane entering the restricted airspace before the ceremony.

Reagan's casket, brought from California, rolled on a century-old horse-drawn caisson to the Capitol, the seat of Congress, to enable people to pay their respects before it is taken to the National Cathedral for services, to be later returned to California for the funeral tomorrow.  

Also Read


Death of a president

Clinton not to speak at Reagan funeral

Kerry suspends campaign for Reagan

If a death can be lovely, his was'

The man America loved


 

All eyes were on former President's 82-year-old

widow Nancy Reagan who managed to smile through her sorrow.

She waved and thanked the crowds who cheered and applauded when she emerged from her limousine to watch honour guards lift Reagan's coffin from a hearse onto the carriage.

President George W Bush, who is arriving here tomorrow from the G-8 meeting in Georgia, will deliver the eulogy.

As Reagan's body arrived at the dome-shaped building, 21 fighter jets screamed by in four formations, with one plane breaking away and rocketing upward in a befitting aerial tribute to the late Commander-in-Chief.

The sombre ceremony was earlier marred by a scare created when a small aircraft carrying Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher to the Capitol building mistakenly entered the restricted airspace over the capital.

Two F-15 fighter jets were sent to intercept the plane and lawmakers and other dignitaries, including House speaker Dennis Hastert, were whisked away in secured motorcades.

 

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.