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I briefly flipped my TV to CSPAN to catch a glimpse of why Reagan Lying in State was being televised continuosly from 9:00a to 1:00a, where I am sure it will continue to loop until the actual service. Of the hundreds, maybe thousands of people that were shown standing in line, passing through the Rotunda, etc. I have only seen only a handful of African-Americans. What does this say?
As a person who dodges funerals like the Plague, I have never been to a closed-casket funeral. I understand the concept of paying one's respects and taking part in what some feel to be a monumental and noteworthy event. However, I don't understand the point in just walking past a closed casket. Some people are just walking and looking like they expected something else, others are standing and acting as if it's their favorite uncle in the casket, some are looking like they just passed through on their way to the train or something.
Of course I know that different diseases have different effects on people. I also know that it is a matter of personal choice of the family to have an open or closed casket. I just wonder why he was not presented in an open casket. I can remember a local community leader that died years ago (can't remember who at the moment) that was laid in state in a glass casket so that all who passed through could see him one last time. That's why people are really going. They just want to see.
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