Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 28, 1994 TAG: 9404280224
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press Note: above
DATELINE: YORBA LINDA, CALIF. LENGTH: Medium
Twenty years after he resigned the presidency in disgrace, Nixon was bidden farewell by five successor presidents and 2,000 mourners who gathered under cloudy skies at a funeral within sight of the home where he was born 81 years ago.
``In the conduct of foreign policy, Richard Nixon was one of the seminal presidents,'' said Henry Kissinger, his secretary of state. He praised him for opening relations with China and pursuing arms negotiations with the Soviet Union even while he was dogged by the Watergate scandal that forced him from office.
``Richard Nixon would be so proud that President Clinton and all living former presidents of the United States are here, symbolizing that his long and sometimes bitter journey has concluded in reconciliation,'' Kissinger said.
The next person to give a eulogy, Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole, broke into tears after praising Nixon as ``the most durable public figure of our time.''
The service opened with ``Victory at Sea,'' a rousing symphonic piece that was one of Nixon's favorites. He had played it in solitude the night he won the White House in 1968, and again on Election Night in 1972.
For the last time, Nixon was saluted with ``Hail to the Chief,'' and, as an honor guard carried in his flag-draped casket, the military band softly played ``America.''
By the thousands, ordinary Americans had stood in lines up to three miles long in rain, hail and nighttime chill for the momentary privilege of a final goodbye, to pass by his coffin as it rested on a pedestal in the library built to husband his memory.
Library officials estimated 42,000 people passed by the bier, some after waiting eight hours. More were turned away.
In an irony of history, a president who as a young man actively opposed and worked against Nixon's Vietnam War policies was the most prominent of the eulogists.
Joining President Clinton in paying tribute were Kissinger, Dole and California Gov. Pete Wilson. The Rev. Billy Graham, who often led Nixon in prayer at the White House and comforted him in his fall from power, was the officiant.
Dozens of members of Congress attended, as did Watergate mastermind G. Gordon Liddy and Spiro Agnew, Nixon's vice president who resigned in disgrace.
Graham, in his sermon, said Nixon's cardiologist, Jeffrey Borer, had finished examining Nixon the day after his stroke and had turned to leave. The former president was partially paralyzed and unable to speak but ``waved and gave his trademark thumbs-up signal and smiled,'' Graham said.
``This is a moment of determination, an example of fighting on and never giving up, that Jeffrey Borer will never forget.''
A few months ago, Nixon was asked in a television interview how he would like to be remembered, Graham said. ``He thought a moment, and then he replied, `As one who made a difference.'''
Added Graham: ``And he did make a difference in our world and in our lives.''
by CNB