Rehnquist memorial

Adam and I were among the masses at the Supreme Court building last night for the viewing of Chief Justice Rehnquist, who died on Saturday and has his funeral later today.

The line went down the block, and then straight up the steps to the front of the Supreme Court building. Once you're in the big front doors, there's a sort of entry area and then the security check. There's no rotunda in the building - just a long, wide marble hall that goes straight back to the court chamber. The casket was laid in the center of the hall following lengthwise, and was covered with a flag. (No, the casket was not open.) It was on a cafalque, which is an odd word that I don't know how to pronounce - but it's a stand to put a casket on, and it's the same one that has been used for the funerals of government officials since Lincoln. There was a large floral arrangement at each end - red roses, and white and blue smaller flowers. We went up one side of the hall, past the casket toward the chamber doors. There were two men in regular suits standing on each side of the casket, and two military honor guards at opposite corners of the casket on the diagonal. At the end of the hall in front of the chamber door was a large painting of Rehnquist and more floral arrangements. Then we went back down the other side of the hall, still kinda in a circle (or oval) around the casket, where everyone signed the guest book and then out the door. It was totally silent and no one took pictures. It was very somber and respectful, and I'm glad we went.