I find it really odd that they are taking Reagan's body all over the country. OK...well, not all over...but to a few places, to "lie in state", as processions of people go in (to where it happens to be) and walk past the coffin. I never did quite understand this process of mourning. It's gotta be just me...right?

Here's how my strange mind works...

1) Won't the body start getting ripe?

2) Is his body REALLY in that coffin? I'd have an almost uncontrollable urge to open it just to make sure!

3) If you can't see his body (like in a true "wake"), what satisfaction does looking at a coffin get you?

4) Do they (those in charge of "watching" the coffin) realize, this could be a golden opportunity for a terrorist strike?

I'd better stop...but I have a million questions! I know...I know...this confirms it! I'm a kook! Sokay...I know it! Anyone wanna take a stab at some answers for me?

1) the body is drained of all it's natural juices and preserving agents are put in

2) no way to know

3) to me closed casket would not give me any closure

4) they do, it's been reported that there is serious security

I thought of all the same ?????s too Lixy~ you are not a kook or at least not the sole one.

I too wonder about the lack of closure people may experience by seeing the closed coffin. However, those in charge may want people to remember him as they'd like too instead of what he might have physically become.

I'll miss him.

WI---You're, probably, right!I know that when my uncle(fathers
brother) died, he had requested,of his wife, to have a closed casket.He was a,very,large,muscular man,that had a reputation,
for being very strong & tough.He died after a long bout with cancer.He wanted people,to remember,him as he once was,not as
he had become.Even tho,it wasn't his fault,the way his body was
eaten away,by cancer.He was always proud,of his previous reputation & didn't want people to see him as he had become!
Irish
P.S.It's, probably,a generational thing,but physical shape,
strength, & reputation,etc,meant alot to,most,of the males,in my
family!

I must say Nancy looks well preserved as well. In a pic I saw, she had less wrinkles than I do. Of course her's are probably filled with botox and collagen where as mine are just filled with fat :p

Lilith---This is NOT to boost your ego.I think that "MOST" men
would rather be with a "REAL" person,rather than someone who
is enhanced!Physical attraction,is just that-meant to initially attract.Once you get to know a persons character,physical attraction,doesn't mean that much.Some of the prettiest women
that I have met,are real bitches!I'm not saying that this is always
true,but alot of times,the person is so wrapped up,in themselves,
that they don't pay attention,to others. Irish
P.S.I,probably,ruined my masculine reputation,but sooner or later,
the real me appears!

((Irish))

I'm right with you on that one Irish!

*Hugs Lilith cause she's a sexy "'real" woman!*

My wife said something,last night,that makes you think.She said-
"I wonder,how long she'll (Nancy) last now?"Many years ago,my
cousins mother died.Approx,a month later,her father died!The Drs.,couldn't find anything wrong with him.He was married,to her,
for 50+ yrs.The Drs. said that he just lost his will to live!Like
anyone,they had their arguements,but without her,he just didn't
care! Irish

Just by virtue of my working the past 8 days and them taking pity on me :p

I do know that they will be having a 21 gun salute here at that time, but that's all I've heard of so far.

NEWS FLASH!!---I just intercepted an Al-Queda(sp?)e-mail!The
body,in the closed coffin,is not Ronnie!It is a cadaver,gotten from
the morgue.The coffin is loaded with explosives.There is a cell-
phone,in the bodys pocket.When enough,important,people are
around the coffin,a terrorist will call the body & set off an
explosion! Irish
P.S.Could Happen!!!!:(

((((((to you all)))))))
 

I'm gonna be respectful here and say...Jiminy H. Christ onna bike! I love you guys!

I've thought about my reply in this thread allllllllllllllllllllllllllllll day today...and I kept thinking...these guys are gonna HATE me for being so (seemingly) disrespectful! I am SO thankful to come back here tonight and read that I fretted for no reason today!

Lilith, Lilith ((((((Lilith))))))! There are times in my life when that vocal (or typing) shut-off valve would come in so handy...but I've not been blessed with it, and so I spout what I have to say and then sit and wonder what everyone thinks...sometimes feeling, "Holy f'ing shit "Lixy"...why the hell did you say that"? From what I know of the deceased, I understood that the body of Reagan is probably heavily dosed with formaldehyde, but I was concerned with the heat around the country lately (was 96f today and the body was taken to the Capitol in Washington...same weather as in Pa.), and that, in and of itself, could ripen an undeveloped pear! Just a thought! And, the rest of your answers.......TY, TY, TY! In restrospect, I always think it is "just me"!!!!!!! Kinda good to know I am not the only one!

WI & Irish...I agree! Nancy and/or Ron may not have wanted his body to be seen now...but remembered as we do when he was doing well and feeling like "him"...not the shell of the man he may have become! TY for the perspective!

*giggle, giggle, giggle* @Aqua! He didn't add much to my queries...but the drooling was oh so cute!


Just some closing thoughts on my part....*hugs to darogle for allowing this forum*...

As I somewhat stated above, I just watched the funeral cortege to the Capitol! Boy oh boy do American's love ceremony (which was mentioned in the news... and yes, I was surprised to find out the 3rd in line for the presidency, the speaker of the house, is a man named Dennis Hastard <sp?>).

Sorry...I digressed again!

Um...I watched the F-15's fly over and I got goose bumps! I cried when they did the 21 gun salute! One for the Gipper, in that he appointed Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court...a woman...no shit Ron! *hugs* I just really have no closure if, during a wake, I cannot see the body...no matter the state of the body, I hate that it's a wake and a closed coffin. Exceptions to my feelings here...babies and accident victims...and, of course, cremated folks! Abraham Lincoln was toted all over the country and had an open casket!

None the less...as the flag covered coffin made it's way up the street...as I watched the slight, aged (82) Nancy follow it, as I saw his "children" waiting for the ceremony...I cried!

Just wanted to let you know...I am not all "science and purpose"! I have feelings...and for Mr. Reagan, my emotions bubble over!

Lixy---Different strokes,for different folks!When my father died,my
oldest daughter(Colleen) would not look in the open casket!
Everyone handles things,in a different way.I have to joke around,
& not dwell,on things,otherwise I couldn't handle it.But that's me!
Irish

Gentlefolk,

I thought the funeral went off rather well.

Thanks for the tribute Darogle. I loved him too.:(