Restoration
Day of Rain, Day of Sun

by Darris McNeely

As I write this column, the political convention season is in full swing as the two leading candidates for the U.S. presidency are presenting their cases to their parties and the American people. Rhetoric flows. Challenges are thrown down. And promises for a better tomorrow are made, as they are every four years in an endless cycle that has the same refrain. Honestly, take away the faces and you can almost use the same speeches every four years.

This could be called the summer of the American presidency. We have the conventions and candidates gearing up for a tough, acrimonious campaign. But earlier we had another presidential moment, one that does not come too often. In early June America laid to rest its 40th president, Ronald Reagan. America may not have all the pomp and circumstance of its mother country, but when it holds a state funeral, it does so with style, grace and the appropriate majesty. The weeklong remembrance and celebration of this man's life was a welcome pause in the political season.

June 11 was the day for a national ceremony and burial. The National Cathedral in Washington was set for a gathering of national and world leaders. Dawn brought rain. Watching the soldiers carry the casket from the Capitol Rotunda down the steep west steps, you held your breath hoping they would not slip on the wet pavement. Headlights from the limos cut a path of light through the streets as the procession made its way to the service.

All the living American presidents were gathered for the service. Two of them gave eulogies. The words of the hymn "The Mansions of the Lord" concluded the service.

To fallen soldiers let us sing / Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing / Our broken brothers let us bring / To the mansions of the Lord
No more bleeding no more fight / No prayers pleading through the night / Just divine embrace, eternal light / In the mansions of the Lord
Where no mothers cry and no children weep / We will stand and guard to the angels sleep / All through the ages safely keep / The mansions of the Lord.

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Restoration Day of Rain, Day of Sun

by Darris McNeely

Read the full article at www.wnponline.org/wnp/wnp0408/restoration0408.htm

Restoration
Day of Rain, Day of Sun