I was lucky enough to be present as President Reagan's casket was escorted to the Capitol building on June 9, 2004. Go here to read my blog entry on the entire event.

	This is as close as I got along Constitution Avenue, right in front of the Archives Building.
	It was a hot and muggy afternoon but we all knew we were participating in history. This Sailor must have been hot and miserable. Lucky man!
	The crowd waited. We were there about 1/2 hour before the procession came by.
	These Army soldiers were in charge of this portion of the procession. It was strange to see Army in charge of Navy.
	Over my head, blind shot of the crowd.
	The first sign of anything happening were motorcycle cops leading the way with their lights flashing.
	They pulled up right in front of us and stopped, waiting for the rest of the parade to catch up. They must have been really hot in full uniform.
	The Sailors came to attention so something was definitely up.
	It looked like the point man in a large platoon coming down the street.
	I was right. Here are the West Point Cadets marching in full uniform.
	Next came the Naval Academy Midshipmen.
	I think this is the Air Force Academy Cadets (if that's what they call themselves.)
	Now the guessing game begins. Kind of looked like the Coast Guard Academy (if there is one).
	No clue. Maybe National Guard.
	The Marine Silent Drill team was next in full Blues and rifles with fixed bayonets.
	Active Duty Navy Sailors. I think it was their drill team since they had rifles.
	The President's Own: The Marine Corps Band.
	Active duty Marine in the Service "A" uniform. Probably because the Dress Blues are not required (believe it or not) and some of the junior Marines can't afford them. I didn't have any until I was a Sergeant with 5 years in the Corps.
	Next came some limos that probably had Mrs. Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family.
	More limos.
	A slow hearst with Secret Servicemen walking astride came slowly.
	Everyone knew what was coming next.
	And now the crowd turned their attention to the main event as the sound of hoof steps echoed down the street.
	The casket can be seen in the middle. I had no idea if these overhead shots were going to turn out.
	The crowd were silent and respectful. Hats started flying off heads in the crowd.
	The scene was as silent as you see it right now.
	I hoped the "window" I had between heads would give me a good shot of the casket. I was rewarded with this picture.
	Another over-the-head attempt with success. I wanted to get pictures and absorb the moment. It was tough. I was both excited and saddened.
	The one overhead shot that didn't succeed but as a small consolation, it was just the escorts in front of the casket.
	Almost the best shot if someone in front of me didn't have the same idea.
	Trying to dodge the others getting pics, I had to rush this shot and got a little blur action.
	A great shot of a Sailor on top of the truck, rendering his salute and respect we all felt.
	Here is where they were taking the President; the Capitol Rotunda.
	I wasn't ready for the planes. They came screaming into view as I dug into my bag to get my camera, turned it on, and tried to snap a picture. I barely caught them as they roared out of sight.
	Lucky for me there was more coming.
	And a third set.
	And finally a fourth with a surprise...
	The last set was coming in low and right as they passed over, the lead plane pulled his throttle back and shot straight up in the air. I didn’t expect this and instantly, my arm shot up, pointing at it and I yelled “Look!!!” My scream was instantly followed by the roar of his engines as the full brunt of his engines pointed downward. The effect was pretty cool and my it gave my outburst and pointing a dramatic effect.
	It went straight up until it disappeared and the roar elegantly tapered off. Beautiful.
	See the most subtle smudge in the middle? Well, it's there and that was the final shot of the event.

Email -- jason@grose.us
Web -- http://www.grose.us/