THIS WEEK, THE BODY OF RONALD REAGAN will be flown to Washington for a state funeral. Following the ceremonies, the body will be returned to Caifornia. I imagine it has already been discussed and decided one way or the other, but speaking only for myself, I think it would be a fine gesture if Reagan travelled west on Air Force One.
UPDATE:
" Today and tomorrow, Mr. Reagan will lie in repose in the main lobby of his library in Simi Valley, Calif. He will then be flown to Washington with his family aboard the plane usually used as Air Force One. "
-- Reagan's state funeral
We note that for an airplane to be officially designated as "Air Force One," the current President of the United States must be aboard.
UPDATE: Reagan Makes First, Last Flight in Jet He Ordered
WASHINGTON, June 10, 2004 : The blue-and-white presidential jet that brought the flag-draped coffin of former President Ronald Reagan to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on June 9 is an aircraft he ordered before he left office - but this was his first ride in it.
Reagan ordered two identical Boeing 747s to replace the aging presidential Boeing 707s he traveled in as president. First lady Nancy Reagan designed the interior decor of the planes in a style reminiscent of the desert Southwest.
One plane was delivered shortly after Reagan left office. President George H.W. Bush, in September 1990, was the first leader to fly in one of the new planes.
Posted by Vanderleun at June 8, 2004 4:12 PM
Amen, brother.
It would be just, fitting and an honorable tribute to the greatest of great men.
Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX
Great idea. I wonder if there's some protocol, howver, for the *living* President's travel. I wonder whether there's even enough time to make this happen Remember, he's got to come back from Europe, head to the G8 conference in Georgia and then head back to DC, receive world leaders and get ready for the state funeral. All in four days.
Posted by: Juliette at June 7, 2004 12:51 PMMy understanding is that the plane they are using is one that Ron and Nancy themselves had a hand in designing.
Posted by: Attila Girl at June 8, 2004 1:25 AMumm, I see a little room on that mountain below the plane, time to start the blasting and carving!!
Posted by: TK at June 8, 2004 9:22 AM"Well, yes, I did ride on Airforce One."
- The spirit of Ronald Reagan
Posted by: Homchick at June 9, 2004 12:15 PMFor America, a great loss, for President Reagan, a much higher calling-that Eternal Shining City with his Lord Jesus Christ.
Posted by: Jim Harringto at June 11, 2004 6:23 PMFor America, a great loss, for President Reagan, a much higher calling-that Eternal Shining City with his Lord Jesus Christ.
Posted by: Jim Harrington at June 11, 2004 6:27 PM
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