Monday, September 10, 2018
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Lying in State
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Why do we visit the Capitol when a great American life comes to an end? woman said, showing fellow bystanders a picture on her cell phone. “I am really treasuring that now,” she said wistfully.
Samuel Moore-Sobel is a freelance writer. He is currently working on a memoir and publishes a blog which can be found by visiting www.holdingontohopetoday.com Follow him on both Facebook and Twitter. I remember the first time I trekked down to the United States Capitol to honor a great American life. I was ten years old, intent upon paying my last respects to the late President Ronald Reagan. I had eagerly watched the retrospectives on television, attempting to commit each moment to memory. It all seemed so important and incredibly regal. A historic moment in time, one that captured the attention of a nation. I convinced my mother to travel with me into Washington, D.C. We arrived just as evening was beginning to descend upon the beautiful city. We stood in line for several hours, seemingly wading through the empty bottles of water littering the path ahead. The wait would extend past twelve or thirteen hours, and my mother had to work the next day. We left in the wee hours of the morning, returning home with a heavy heart after missing my chance to say good-bye to our 40th President.
Anticipation builds as one rounds the staircase leading to the intended destination. Standing expectantly on the outskirts of the hall, almost reluctant to enter. I felt unworthy to pass the threshold, feeling as if I did not belong. I once interned on the Hill, and had passed through this part of the Capitol countless times before. This time, passing the statues of Ronald Reagan and Dwight Eisenhower while taking in the view of the sculptures lining the perimeter, felt so entirely different. As if the moment at hand had transformed this once familiar place into something entirely new. Amazed at the glory housed within these hallowed halls. The line moved towards the coffin draped in an American flag. The wreaths displayed nearby, the Capitol police officer standing guard. The majesty of the moment was overwhelming. One could have heard a pin drop in the room, as we attempted to reflect upon the life of such a hero. Suddenly, a group of police officers approached. A changing of the guard was being carried out before our very eyes. The tapping of the shoes, the dress blues. The final, choreographed salute. Leaving hardly a dry eye in the room.
Hours later, my brother would ask a simple question. “What makes us go see someone lie in state?” He was baffled by the practice, wondering why Americans choose to indulge in this respected tradition. Perhaps it has something to do with participating in a communal national activity. A symbolic practice communicating our love of country. A practical way to participate in the life of our great democracy. By honoring those who came before us, paving “The rotunda of the U.S. Capitol the way for the life we live in the has been considered the most suitable place for the nation to pay present. A way of saying thank you for their service to the nation we all final tribute to its most eminent love. citizens by having their remains lay in state,” according to the I walked away with a sense of Architect of the Capitol website. sorrow mixed with pride. Sad to Government officials or military officers lay in state, while private have lost an American icon, mourning over the collective citizens, such as Billy Graham, national loss. Yet grateful for a lay in honor. The ceremony man who in many ways “appealed enhanced by the fact that most to our better angels,” if I may use a coffins rest upon the catafalque made in 1865 for the coffin of our line often invoked by the historian 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. Jon Meacham. As we said goodbye to a man who in many ways embodied the American spirit, we Rep. Henry Clay was the first to receive this honor upon his death were given time to examine our collective national soul. “The in 1852. Since then, thirty-four whole is greater than the sum of it’s people have lain in state before parts,” Aristotle once wrote. A being laid to rest. Senator John Sidney McCain, III, was the 31st nation, coming together in a state of grief, quietly reminded of the man to receive such an honor on need to heal the divisions and Friday, August 31st. Desiring to fissures currently tearing at our pay my last respects to a great national fabric. If accomplished, a American hero, I stood in line seemingly suitable way to honor outside the Capitol building. the legacy of a man whose public Surrounded by thousands of life, in the words of Meacham, others in the blazing heat, we “was largely about hope.” shared stories amongst ourselves of the late Senator as we commiserated over the inevitable Samuel Moore-Sobel is a freelance writer. To read more of his work, humidity experienced in Washington during August. “I got visit www.holdingontohopetoday.com his signature in a book,” one
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Job Title GENERAL EQUIPMENT MAINTAINER (GEM) - 3RD SHIFT workintexas.com Posting ID 8656216 Location Sherman Posting Close Date 09/28/2018 Posting Link http://bit.ly/2M5f5wj
Description A local company is looking for a MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN III who will be responsible for automating machinery and must have a working understanding of PLC logic systems. This is a working lead level position that differs from other Technicians in the level of responsibility.
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This position requires a High School Diploma, and a minimum of 2 years of related experience.
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searching for ideas for this column evaluate it. I also believe you as I read, so I jot down notes if should be willing to change an opinion if new evidence is offered something catches my interest. that you believe is valid. When I offer my opinions on this page, I don’t expect everyone in I read a lot of opinion type articles. I receive several weeklies town to agree with me. In fact, I and a couple of daily newspapers. expect some people to get upset or stirred up either in favor of the I always read (or at least skim) editorial or against it. Editorials call the editorial page and the letters for action of some type. If we just sit to the editor. I also read news back and “let George do it,” there stories and magazine articles on can be little progress. many subjects. I am usually
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