Reagan Funeral Observation
Category: News Commentary...
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 at 10:30 AM [GMT-6]

I caught a brief bit of the "Farewell to President Regan" broadcast on Fox News, and I can't resist writing about something seemingly trivial, but which I found very compelling nonetheless.

The President and First Lady were the last guests to enter the National Cathedral, in keeping with their status. As they made their way down the long aisle, Laura walked along at her husband's right, eyes straight ahead, with a somber expression on her face. I couldn't discern any acknowledgement on her part of the many heads of state and other guests of political and social standing as she passed each row where they sat. Suddenly, however, without a pause in her stride she reached out her right hand and ever-so-gently patted the shoulder of a man sitting at the end of a row. She didn't even make eye contact...just a brush of the hand and the continuation of her way down the aisle.

The camera angle changed and the identity of the recipient of the shoulder pat was revealed: British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

That trivial gesture by the First Lady spoke volumes about things like friendship, loyalty, shared values and shared goals. Laura Bush is a class act, and I can't help thinking that Tony Blair must be also, to warrant that attention.