By design or circumstance, the final moments of the Era of the Kennedy Brothers ended privately, out of the public view, as the evening light faded over Arlington National Cemetery in Washington. As it got darker, vague images of the honor guard, the bugler, the Custis-Lee Mansion were all we could see. In the darkness, Teddy's grandchildren spoke of their private moments with their grandfather and Splash on the porch of the Kennedy house at Hyannis Port. The television commentators were silent; all you could hear on the broadcast was the sound of people moving about the graveside in the final moments of a long journey that began on Cape Cod, stopped in Boston, and ended in Washington. For her remarks, Teddy's wife, Vicki, refused the microphone. No one beyond the family heard those final words.
As the television picture faded, I found myself leaning forward in my seat. In the end, I ended up standing just a few feet from the screen squinting to see the goings-on. After some frustration at the poor images, listening to the priest reading Teddy's farewell letter to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, I gradually came to realize that this is as it should be. I sat down and just listened.
For a life lived in the blazing spotlight of world society and politics, Teddy was always under intense scrutiny of the press, constantly observed, constantly criticized. Every move, mistake, and word was documented in excruciating detail all through his life. Now, the eyes of the world were deprived the clear images of HD television and digital sound. Suddenly, all observers were truly on the outside, looking at grainy images and listening to background noise.
In the end, I believe these last few moments of privacy for him and his family in the dark were somehow appropriate. Either a staffer or family member is a really good time planner and this was intentional, or someone above us is still looking after Teddy. I believe it is the latter.
It ended as it should, with just the Kennedy family saying goodbye to Uncle Teddy. I'm glad they got that one moment of privacy.
As the television picture faded, I found myself leaning forward in my seat. In the end, I ended up standing just a few feet from the screen squinting to see the goings-on. After some frustration at the poor images, listening to the priest reading Teddy's farewell letter to His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, I gradually came to realize that this is as it should be. I sat down and just listened.
For a life lived in the blazing spotlight of world society and politics, Teddy was always under intense scrutiny of the press, constantly observed, constantly criticized. Every move, mistake, and word was documented in excruciating detail all through his life. Now, the eyes of the world were deprived the clear images of HD television and digital sound. Suddenly, all observers were truly on the outside, looking at grainy images and listening to background noise.
In the end, I believe these last few moments of privacy for him and his family in the dark were somehow appropriate. Either a staffer or family member is a really good time planner and this was intentional, or someone above us is still looking after Teddy. I believe it is the latter.
It ended as it should, with just the Kennedy family saying goodbye to Uncle Teddy. I'm glad they got that one moment of privacy.
I think more than anything, I respect the fact that Teddy was more real. In many ways, Jack and Bobby's failings were kept from us until after their death. Teddy's failings were right there for everyone to see. Yet, he kept going despite those failings and served honorably. To me, what people focus on when talking about Teddy says more about them then it says about Teddy. For those that focus on his good works and 40+ years of service, it says that the measure of a person is their collection of deeds and how their family thinks of them in the end. For those that focus on his mistakes it says they are the kind that keep score and hold in every foible so they can throw it back in your face later.
Teddy represents perseverence. When life deals you a bad hand or a horrible tragedy you can choose to give up or press on. When you make a monumental mistake you can give up or press on. Thankfully, Teddy pressed on. It's a good example for all of us and those that would hound him even now should remember the immortal words, "for the grace of God go I."
We made sure to have Con watch it with us. I was hoping they would be able to show the folding of the flag. We were telling him about our father's funeral service and the flag.
My sister started bawling at taps and the guns. She has never been able to bear it.
I love that he got the last word in on health care with the letter he wrote to the pope read at his funeral. True Teddy style.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Why do you ask him to move heaven and earth
To prove his love has worth
Would he walk on water
Would he run through fire
Would he stand before you
When it's down to the wire
Would he give his life up to be all he can
Is that, is that, is that how you measure a man?
He never gives up
Lets go of his dream
His world goes around for his one true belief
Is that how you know
Is that what it means?
Would he walk on water
Would he run through fire
Would he stand before you
Would he will be your anchor when the dark unfolds
Would he always love you the best that he knows?
Would he give his life up
To be all that he can
Is that, is that, is that how you measure a man?
The NYT reported the GHWB is ill and unable to travel.
Carol, not to be contentious about the issue, but I pretty much watched the TV coverage non-stop and never heard that said about President Bush or his wife. What I did hear was his statement that George W. would "amply" represent the family. GHWB was well enough to jump out of an airplane again just a few weeks ago. Unless he has had a health setback not publicly disclosed, I think he owed it to the Kennedy's - and the nation - to be there.
Shortstuff, I think that George H.W. and Barbara missed the funeral due to his failing health. That was mentioned several times on the tv.
Also, the funeral was by invitation only so, I would imagine that "some" were not invited...
I was thoroughly disgusted that George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush were not there. They should have been. So should every single member of Congress, Republican and Democrat.Period. No excuses.
I watched in silence last night as the light faded and the lightning was crackling across the sky at Arlington.
My heart broke at the sound of the grandchildrens' grief.
A couple of hours later, on C-Span, they replayed the service and burial. At that point, they did show more: the sight of young Teddy III, just 14 years old, kneeling at his grandfather's casket and crying bitterly. All four grandchildren surrounded the casket and held on to each other.
That, right there, told me so much more about how beloved he was. Those grandchildren adored him.
That's the measure of a great man.
And waking up to the realization of the likes of Perry, Hutchinson, Cornyn, McCain, Bachmann, Palin (unfortunately I think she's not going away soon enough) being left, just made me wonder, "who is going to stand up for people like ME now?" Who is going to be willing to do battle against insurance companies lobbyists? Who is going to stand up and say, "all people are created equal." "All people deserve decent health care." ALL people. Not just the wealthy and powerful.
We've lost so much.
After the playing of "Taps", I turned off my set.
I had hoped to see the American flag, which had draped Ted Kennedy's coffin, presented to his widow, Vicki.
However, I know what was said by the member of the military, charged with performing this task:
"From a Grateful Nation."
I cried, once again.
As a Progressive, who lives in the State of Texas, I have no representation, from my state, in the United States Senate.
Ted Kennedy was my "Senator-At-Large" because he fought for the causes he and I believe in.
I will miss him more than I can say.
Gotta be honest. I'm a grown man - too grown, actually - but I've cried more in the last two days than I can ever remember. Not just for our loss, but for what he stood for and what he accomplished and for how much our ideals are being threatened by a hateful and ignorant minority of right wing radicals and know-nothings.
Yesterday a group called the Texas Nationalist Movement rallied in Austin in support of secession, objecting to what they called our Marxist government. They are encouraged by our Republican leaders. And speaking of our Republican leaders, both Kay Bailey and John Cornyn skipped the service for Senator Kennedy. Hard to imagine a Republican having less class than Mitch McConnell, who was there.
You are very right, Bob. I think it was really fitting mainly because his private life was just as rich as the public voyeurism. I have learned more about the Man "behind the politics" this week from the people with whom he served in the Senate, than I knew previously. Yet these same people used Teddy to raise funds and obtain votes. Incredible!
Privacy is perfect!
I watched in a somber mood as the sun set over Teddy and his family. Indeed a private time for his family to say their good bye.
Indeed the sun has set on a great leader, defender of those in need and a visionary. May Ted's vision, legacy and his love for all Americans continue on now and for generations to come.
Rest in well deserved peace, Teddy.
You're right, Bob. It was as it should be. Not only Senator Kennedy, but his family as well, deserved at least one moment of privacy, out of the glare of the public spotlight, as they said their final goodbyes.
It would have been nice if the media and the American people could have graced them all with that gift a bit more while he lived.