LOGISTICS LESSON
From a logistical standpoint, the events of the day of June 11, 2004 in memory of Ronald Wilson Reagan, our 40th President, were an example of absolute perfection in planning and in the execution of a complex series of precise, intended, poignant and meaningful actions involving events in four time zones.
I must admit that I was not is sitting around looking for mistakes, errors, misjudgment, or anything faulty in the proceedings, so I may well have missed something but I - at the end of the day, felt that all had gone well and that the overall purposes of the special day will be regarded as a remarkable tribute to a truly worthy man. Some qualities of excellence were, even, at times, exceeded, I felt.
It is of special importance to our nation at this time that we examine carefully the means by which this observance was so well prepared and accomplished. There are among us today people who decry the inability, they claim, of America to contend with its enemies. They deride the abilities of our leaders to meet the common demands of good government. We are subject, as a result, to potentially hazardous disunities.
The ceremonies marking the passing of former President Reagan were impressive in size and the nature of the subject matter undertaken. I think we can look at it now, in retrospect, and be proud. I was impressed by the orderliness of the people. They gathered along the highways in large numbers and there were crowds beyond capacity at both the California site and at the rotunda of the capital. Some thought it odd that the bystanders cheered and waved when the hearse passed through the streets and that was the only hint sot criticism I heard concerning the conduct and demeanor of the people. It seemed to be a last-minute expression of goodbye to a friend.
The much castigated media deserves praise in regard to their part in the occasions, too. They did their part with skill and presented a straight-forward.account of the events. There will be some who will insist there was some Â?overkillÂ?, but, if so, it came about because of viewer narrowness of vision. The networks wisely pooled a lot of the TV coverage which is commendable to avoid clutter. Comment and criticism are in the offing, I dare say, but the media did not impinge on the meaning of the tribute to our fallen leader.
In fact, when one considers the number of sites covered on a strict schedule and the trying circumstances under which they had to work in bringing viewers a wide variety of music alone, they did especially well. One the whole the programing was especially well balanced, which is most unusual.
To us all this day's event could prove to me a much needed watershed of feelings. It was a good thing to see former presidents and their wives seated in the same area it was a good thing to see competing politicians speaking with each other; it was good to see crowds of people along the streets and not know which was a Democrat, Republican or whatever. It was good thing some speakers chose to center on the Reagan sense of humor as they reviewed his life and accomplishments. People will be watching videotapes of these events someday in the future and they will marvel at the at the variety of of viewpoints and of music heard during the ceremonies touching so intimately upon much of America' s religious thought and basic character.
It all went along so smoothly, in spite of its highly complex make-up. It demonstrates again that we Americans can and do work with purpose and amazing unity when properly led by ideals that are basis to the intent of our forefathers and of the founders of our truly unique nation.
A.L.M. June 12, 2004 [c650wds]
