Rockefeller service
We welcome reports and comments here from all who watched remotely or attended the service today for Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller. We missed the legislative service yesterday, but heard many comments about the legislative group that sang "Battle Hymn of the Republic," in addition to praise of remarks by Sen. Argue and Gov. Huckabee.
Today's memorial service was more than an hour and 20 minutes. The sanctuary was full. Former President Clinton sat beside Gov. and Mrs. Huckabee. Friends and business associates spoke, the remarks capped by warm, emotional tributes from two of his sons, Win Jr. and Will. They remembered their dad's hunting and fishing outings, his cooking, his "Winisms" and, humorously, his "sense of style." His friend and business associate Baker Kurrus said it all: "His goodness shall endure."
Note: You can see a replay of the service on the streaming video portion of the Fox 16 website.
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I think one of the nicest and most emotional moments of these two days came at the end of the legislative service, when the Tiffany bronze doors to the Capitol were opened and the Rockefeller family was escorted onto the Capitol steps by a state trooper and a piper, who played "Amazing Grace," followed by a flyover of two C-130s. There on those steps, right after the assassination of MLK, did WR's father stand and proclaim, "I am not my brother's keeper. I am my brother's brother."
Thank you, too, for Ernie Dumas' fine piece on the Rockefeller legacy, and how our Rockefellers have lived it and carried it through.
Posted by: Quapaw | July 20, 2006 12:08 PM
Thanks, Quapaw. Nice report. Although just a little kid when MLK was assassinated, I have vivid memories of the social reaction and news coverage. I do not remember WR's proclamation, but I love the words.
WPR deserves every bit of recognition and honor.
Posted by: hugh mann | July 20, 2006 12:31 PM
Morbid though it is, the most striking moment for me yesterday was the sight of his casket. It was unornamented and looked far too small to hold a man of his stature.
It reminded me that for all he was, he was still just a man. But he didn't need anyone to tell him that. His humility and humanity spoke even posthumously among the grandeur of the state service.
I feel as though I've lost a friend.
Posted by: Basil | July 20, 2006 01:05 PM
I don't remember who said it, but it went something like this:
Most people live their lives according to what they can get, WR lived his life according to what he could give.
An example for all.
Posted by: Paula | July 20, 2006 11:08 PM
And the Republican Party of Arkansas wants to replace him with Jim Holt. That pretty much sums up how far we've come in the last ten years.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 21, 2006 11:27 AM