(00:00:00) From National Public Radio. This is live coverage of the memorial service for the 37th President of the United States Richard. Milhous Nixon. My fellow Americans I come before you tonight as a candidate for the vice president's we today have concluded an agreement (00:00:18) to end the war and bring peace with (00:00:20) on this is our moment. We must seize this moment because we hold the future in our hand the service for Richard. Nixon is being held on the grounds of his Presidential Library in Yorba, Linda California its land that was once the Nixon family Citrus Farm the modest wood-frame house in which he grew up is still there after this service. He will be buried beside his wife Pat who died last year Richard Nixon's remains were flown to California yesterday and thousands of mourners have filed past his coffin since then waiting hours in line to pay their respects a most distinguished Gathering is on hand now including President Bill Clinton who will be among Those eulogizing Richard Nixon and there are four former presidents George Bush Ronald Reagan Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford. The crowd is studded with former and present cabinet officials senators and members of Congress. And if you're wondering yes former vice president Spiro Agnew is on hand he of course resigned his office the year before Richard Nixon resigned his joining me is NPR senior news analyst Daniel Shore and Dan as we have gone past these past five days since the death of Richard Nixon and now we have arrived at this memorial service. The crowd is now being seated there. We will be hearing not only from President Clinton eulogizing him, but from former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Senator, Robert Dole the Senate minority leader Governor Pete Wilson of California, and of course then from from President Clinton and video. daughter the sermon and officiating at the services will be the Reverend Billy Graham who became associated with President Nixon while he was in office. Yes, and these storm which hit Yorba Linda Yesterday is gone now and the more California weather for this is now there and as they get ready for this. Let me say you mentioned Ted Agnew Spiro Agnew the former vice president who really ended up not on very good terms with President Nixon think that Nixon could have done more to support him. But in the end he asks, whether they would like him to come and the indications from the family where yes, and so he also came what is missing from this our foreign Chiefs of State who usually come to remember the Kennedy funeral you remember the Truman funeral they would be chief of state of many foreign countries. In this case. I don't know how it worked out that way but we're getting the only chief of state with the chief of our own state that is to say President Clinton, please rise for the plane of honors and remain standing until the casket is Place on the chancel and as you hear now the ceremonies beginning this great public ceremony, which was not had in this country for 20 years. Now the first time in 20 years that a president is laid to rest and that was of course during Richard Nixon's presidency. And the president who died on that occasion was Lyndon Johnson, that's right (00:03:24) Ruffles and flourishes. We're listening by the way to the third Marine aircraft Wing band in El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, California and during this ceremony there is considerable military component. Of course, the president is commander-in-chief present in the crowd is the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John shalikashvili, and there are many other distinguished Military Officers and former Military Officers present. And now that vine Annika the coffin is being carried in by military Honor Guard representing all the services the coffin draped in an American flag. The route is interesting. It's being taken from near the house where Richard Nixon grew up and now (00:05:02) being taken out on the grounds where some chairs have been set up in a looks like a natural Amphitheater there (00:05:11) where the ceremony itself is being held. (00:05:18) Richard Nixon curiously was the first president ever to eulogize a former president. He was specifically (00:05:25) requested to do so in the by Dwight David Eisenhower and he was in office when President Eisenhower died and there was a I think a three-day State funeral in Washington and President Nixon at that time became the first sitting president to eulogize a former president who do the (00:05:46) singular fact that we have not seen the presidential funeral in some 20 years and before in the 10 years preceding they were five of them. There was Kennedy of course and then it was Hoover and Truman and Lyndon Johnson Eisenhower all within a ten-year period so America became accustomed to this spectacles almost ritual of presidential burial as a way of uniting the country and its television developed. It became a great television event. And now for the first time in This time we see the ceremony which became all too familiar to me back in the 60s and early 70s. Dan is there a point at which we've been speaking these last five days so much looking back on Richard Nixon's career in politics and obviously his contentious parts of his career as well. But there is a point at which as you spoke the the ritual takes over their throat what this is is a 37th President of the United States who was being laid to rest interesting is that it is not a funeral being held in Washington where there would have been laying in spying in state in the Rotunda of the Capitol that was done with many but this was apparently not his wish or at least not a wish that he thought he wanted to convey before he was sure that it would be accepted. And so this is a funeral which stars and ends where he came from and we see here Gathering of people that is perhaps the reason why we not getting many chiefs of state from foreign countries. Freeze, it does not provide that usual opportunity that funerals have provided to have informal conferences, which have been such a part of these events of Richard. Nixon are welcome you who have gathered to join with them and paying final respects to the memory of Richard. Milhous Nixon the 37th President of the United States. This is the Reverend Billy Graham in this service. We remember with gratitude his life his accomplishments and we give thanks to God for those things. He did to make our world a better place. Through this service May our dedication to serving others be deepened and may our eyes be lifted to that which is eternal. Let us hear the word of the Lord our help. Is in the name of the Lord who made Heaven and Earth how God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble. Peace I leave with you my peace. I give unto you not as the world giveth. Let not your heart be troubled. Neither Let It Be Afraid. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted? Now we have a program you all have one and we're going to follow that program without any further announcement. You may be seated. Thank you. Next on that program is The Battle Hymn of the Republic. According to the program we'll hear next from the former Secretary of State and Richard Nixon's National Security advisor Henry Kissinger. Kissinger is now. Making his respects to the casket and coming to the microphone. During the final week. Richard Nixon's live I often imagine how he would have reacted to the tide of concern respect admiration and affection evoked by his last great battle. Hits graph pose of never paying attention to Media comment would have been contradicted by a warm glow in the ever so subtle hint that another recital of the commentary would not be unwelcome. And without quite saying so he would have conveyed. That it would mean a lot to him. if Julie and Tricia David and Ed were told of his friends pride in this culmination to an astonishing life when I listen when I learn to final news. By then so expected yet. So hard to accept I felt a profound void in the words of Shakespeare. He was a man take him for all in all I shall not look upon his like again. in the conduct of foreign policy Richard Nixon was one of the seminal presidents. He came into office when the forces of History removing America from a position of dominance. to one of leadership dominance reflect strengths leadership must be earned. And Richard Nixon learned that leadership role for his country with courage dedication and skill. When Richard Nixon took his oath of office 550 thousand Americans were engaged in combat in a place as far away from the United States as it was possible to be. America had no contact with China the world's most populous nation. No negotiations with the Soviet Union the other nuclear superpower. most Muslim countries had broken diplomatic relations with the United States and Middle East diplomacy was stalemated. all of this in the midst of the most encouraging domestic crisis since the Civil War. when Richard Nixon left office an agreement to end the war in Vietnam had been concluded. And the main lines of all subsequent policy were established. Permanent dialogue with China Readiness without Illusions to ease tensions with the Soviet Union. a peace process in the Middle East the beginning via the European security conference of establishing human rights as an international issue weakening Soviet. Hold on Eastern Europe. Richard Nixon foreign policy goats were long range and he put suit them without regard to domestic political consequences. When he considered our nation's interest at stake. He dared confrontations despite the imminence of Elections. And also in the midst of the worst crisis of his life. And he bore if with some pain the disapproval of longtime friends and allies over relaxing tensions with China and the Soviet Union. He drew strength from a conviction. He often expressed to me. The price for doing things halfway. It's no less than for doing it completely. So we might as well do them properly. That's Richard Nixon's greatest accomplishment. versus much moral as it was political To lead from strength at a moment of apparent weakness. To husband the nation's resilience and that's to lay the basis for victory in the Cold War. Shy and withdrawn Richard Nixon made himself succeed in the most gregarious of professions and steeled himself too conspicuous Act of extraordinary courage. In the face of wrenching domestic controversy controversy. He held fast to his basic theme. Did the greatest free nation in the world had a duty to lead? And no right to abdicate. Richard Nixon would be so proud. The President Clinton and all living former presidents of the United States a year. Symbolizing that is long and sometimes bitter Journey. Had concluded in reconciliation. I wish that in his final hours. I could have told him about Brian McDonald. Who during the Cambodian crisis had been fasting on a bench in Lafayette Park? across from the White House Until it's he said President Nixon redeemed his pledge to withdraw American forces from their anguish country in two months. a promise which was in fact kept across the chasm of the Decades Brian called me the day Richard Nixon fell ill. And left a message. When you talk to President Nixon. Tell him that I'm praying for him. So let us now say goodbye to our Gallant friend. He stood on Pinnacles that dissolved in the precipice. He achieved greatly and he suffered deeply. But he never gave up. In his Solitude. He envisaged a new international order. That would reduce lingering and Medeiros. strengthen historic friendships and give New Hope to mankind. a vision where dreams and possibilities conjoined Richard Nixon ended the war Ian and he Advanced division of piece of his Quaker use He was devoted to his family. He loved his country. And he considered service his honor. It was a privilege. To have been allowed to help it. Next we'll be hearing from the minority leader of the United States Senator, Robert Dole of Kansas. I believe. The second half of the twentieth century will be known as the age of Nixon. Why was he the most durable public figure of our time? Not because he gave the most eloquent speeches. But because he provided the most effective leadership. Not because he won every battle. But because he always embodied the deepest feelings of the people he led. One of his biographers said that Richard Nixon was one of us. and so he was he was a boy who heard the train whistle in the night. And dreamed of all the distant places that lay at the end of the track. How American? He was the Grocer's son who got ahead by working harder and longer than everyone else. How American? He was a student who met expenses by doing research the law library for 35 cents an hour while sharing a rundown farm house without water or electricity. How American? He was the husband and father who said that the best Memorial to his wife was her children. How American? Two tenant tens of millions of his countrymen Richard Nixon was an American Hero. A hero shared an honored their belief and working hard worshiping God loving their families and saluting the flag. He called him the silent majority. Like them they valued accomplishment more than ideology. They wanted their government to do the decent thing but not to bankrupt them in the process. They wanted his protection in a dangerous world, but they also wanted creative statesmanship and achieving a genuine Peace With Honor. These were the people from whom he had come. And who have come to your Belinda these past few days by the tens of thousands no longer silent in their grief. The American people love a fighter. And in dick Nixon, they found a gallant one. In our marvelous biography of her mother Julie recalls an occasion where Pat Nixon expressed amazement at her husband's ability to persevere in the face of criticism. to which the president replied I just get up every morning to confound my enemies. It was what Richard Nixon did after he got up every morning that not just confounded his enemies but turn them into admirers. It is true that no one knew the world better than Richard Nixon. And as a result the man who was born in a house his father built. Would go on to become this Century's greatest architect of peace. But we should also not underestimate President Nixon's domestic achievements. Ford was Richard Nixon who ended the draft strengthen environmental and nutritional programs and committed the government to war on cancer. He LeapFrog the conventional wisdom to propose revolutionary solutions to health care and welfare reform anticipating by a full generation the debates now raging on Capitol Hill. I remember the last time I saw him at a luncheon held and capital honoring the 25th anniversary of his first inaugural. Without a note President Nixon stood and delivered a compelling speech capturing the global scene as only he could and sharing his vision of America's future. When it was over, he was surrounded by Democrats and Republicans alike. Each wanting just one more word of nixonian council one more inside in the world affairs afterward the present rested in my office before leaving. The capital only got very little rest for the office was filled the young Hill staffers members of the Capitol Police and many many others all hoping to shake his hand get an autograph or simply convey their special feelings for a man who truly was one of us today. Our grief is shared by millions of people the world over but it is also mingled with intense pride in a great patriot who never gave up. And who never gave in? To know the secret of Richard Nixon's relationship with the American people. You need only to listen to his own words. You must never be satisfied with success. He told us. And you should never be discouraged by failure. Failure can be sad but the greatest sadness is not to try and fail but to fail to try. In the end what matters is that? You have always lived life to the hilt. Strong Brave unafraid of controversy unyielding and his convictions living every day of his life to the hilt the largest figure of our time whose influence will be timeless. That was Richard Nixon. How American? May God bless Richard Nixon. And may God bless the United States. Senator Robert Dole According to the program will now hear a medley of American songs and then Richard Nixon was a musician himself not a bad piano player and not the first president though. He wasn't president at the time to play his instrument on television. You're somebody mentioned for those who may have missed it on radio that towards the very end the rather unexpectedly Senator Dole rather broke up and (00:30:35) broke into tears. He had paid his great tribute (00:30:40) to this President is whose weight is figure of his time. When did not expect him to break up as he did. It was an unusual moment. And yes, he Nixon did play the piano. I heard him play piano once happy birthday. It was it was a birthday tribute to Admiral Hyman rickover and all the ex-presidents were there and again unexpectedly While others spoke from President Nixon went up to the piano and played happy birthday. Next we'll be hearing from Governor Pete Wilson of California. Richard Nixon has a beautiful family. And he was devoted to them. Anyone who ever saw him together? Knew that his beloved Pat. And his girls Tricia and Julie were everything to him. He was so proud of them and I've his sons-in-law Edward and David and his grandchildren. But he also had a much larger extended family. a family of those who worked for him and with him and I was and am very lucky to be a part of that family. I was one of the many young men and women in whom he inspired the same Fierce loyalty that he gave to us from the first I was struck by the quality of his personal generosity. When we met and 1962. He'd already debated Kristoff and President Kennedy. He'd already run for president. He'd been a major political figure on the world stage. But still he had time to talk to and to help an eager young Advance man who could offer him little but energy and enthusiasm. Then in the fall of 1965 when I was 32, he honored Me by asking me to come to work with him. On his potential bid for the presidency in 1968. But he'd heard from Bob Finch and Herb Klein that I was thinking about running for office myself. I told him it was true. He Grand. He Grand and he said and that deep rich voice of his is it a good District? Can you win? And then he said because if you can then Pete you've got to try or you'll never forgive yourself. I was just another young lawyer trying to find his way in the world and he was a former vice president preparing a bid for the highest office in the land. And yet that day. He was as concerned with my future as he was with his own. Time and again, not just with me but with many others. He was always there willing to share his insight and his experience. And no American in this Century had more of either to share. It's hard to imagine a world without Richard Nixon. For half a century. He played a leading role in shaping the events that have shaped our lives. It's not just that he served for three decades in high office. It's not just that he garnered more votes. Than any candidate in American history. It was because his intellect his insight and his indomitable will could not be ignored. He moved on the world stage. He voiced bold ideas, and he left Global footprints. But for all his world grasp and Mastery of global strategy. It was right here in this small house in this little town in Orange County. That Richard Nixon learned and never forgot the values that shaped him and helped him shape our world. He learned the value of hard work. He learned that to make important change you must take risks. And he learned the Quaker virtue. That if you were born with a good mind and good health. You were obliged to help others to give back to your community. But he had something more much more. When most people think of Richard Nixon they think of his towering intellect. the incisive quality of his mind Well, I will always remember him for another quality. it's the quality the great Fighters have They call it heart. Heart is what led Richard Nixon climb back into the ring time. And again when almost anyone else would have thrown in the towel. It was his heart that taught us the great lesson of Richard Nixon's life to never ever give up. Damn, it was no disgrace to fight and be beaten. The only disgrace was to quit and he never did. Like this Golden State that bread in shaped him. He knew adversity was a challenge to overcome. He loved returning to California and he shared California's optimism and as he saw the state he loved. Facing the harshest Economic Times since the Great Depression his message to us was keep walking keep working and keep fighting and you'll come back better than before. The world will remember Richard Nixon rightly as a fighter of Iron Will. But the greatness of the man can sometimes be best measured. By the times and the reasons that he chooses not to fight. after the 1960 election many urged Richard Nixon to contest one of the closest and most controversial elections in American history. Richard Nixon said no. He would not go to court. He refused to fight and he urged others not to on his behalf. He would relinquish the prize. That was his life's ambition. Why? For a simple, but these days remarkable reason. It was because he so loved his country. That he refused to risk. It's being torn apart by the Constitutional crisis that might ensue. forgive my parochial Pride But in this modest home just a few feet from this stand. Was bred a grosser son and a great American. With deep love for his country. with Limitless courage and above all with a faith and the brimming spirit and energy that creates only a handful of great leaders from among the tens of millions of their fellow citizens. dick Nixon's heart Shaped by the grit and mores of this small town. never left, California and now we return it to the soil that bred him. He ended his own eulogy to Everett Dirksen with a favorite quotation from the poet Sophocles. One must wait until the evening to see how Splendid the day has been. And Richard Nixon's evening. He is light burn bright with hope and wise prescriptions for America and for the world. Today as we take him to rest. As we seek to measure the greatness of the man and his legacy. It is clear. How truly Splendid Richard Nixon's day has been. And now the last of the four eulogizes president of the United States William, Jefferson Clinton. There's President Clinton who was declared this a day of mourning and close down the federal government for the occasion and extraordinary thing President Nixon. Opened his Memoirs with a simple sentence. I was born in a house my father built today. We can look back at this little house and still imagine a young boy sitting by the window of the attic. He shared with his three brothers looking out to a world he could then himself Only Imagine. From those humble roots as from so many humble beginnings in this country. through the force of a driving dream a dream that led to the remarkable Journey that ends here today where it all began. Beside the same tiny home mail ordered from Back East near this towering oak tree which back then was a mere seedling. President Nixon's journey across the American landscape mirrored that of his entire nation in this remarkable Century, his life was bound up with the striving of our whole people with our crises and our triumphs. When he became president, he took on challenges here at home on Matters from cancer research to Environmental Protection putting the power of the federal government where Republicans and Democrats had neglected to put it in the past and foreign policy. He came to the presidency at a time in our history when Americans were tempted to say we had had enough of the world. Instead he knew we had to reach out to old friends and old enemies alike. He would not allow America to quit the world. Remarkably, he wrote nine of his 10 books after he left the presidency working his way back into the arena. He so loved by writing and thinking and engaging Us in his dialogue. For the past year even in the final weeks of his life. He gave me his wise counsel, especially with regard to Russia. One thing in particular left a profound impression on me. Though this man was in his ninth decade. He had an incredibly sharp and vigorous and rigorous mind. As a public man, he always seemed to believe the greatest sin was remaining passive in the face of challenges and he never stopped living by that Creed he gave of himself with intelligence and energy and Devotion to duty and his entire country owes him a debt of gratitude for that service. Oh, yes, he knew great controversy amid the feet as well as victory. He made mistakes and they like his accomplishments or part of his life and record but the enduring lesson of Richard Nixon as that, he never gave up being part of the action and passion of his times. He said many times that unless a person has that gold a new mountain to climb his spirit will die. Well based on our last phone conversation and the letter he wrote me just a month ago. I can say that his Spirit was very much alive to the very end. That is a great tribute to him to his wonderful wife path to his children and to his grandchildren whose love he so depended on and whose love he returned in full measure. Today is a day for his family his friends and his Nation to remember President Nixon's life in totality. To them. Let us say May the day of judging President Nixon on anything less than his entire life and career come to a close. May we hit his call to maintain the will and the wisdom to build on America's greatest gift. Its freedom to lead a world full of difficulty to the just and Lasting peace. He dreamed of as it is written in the words of the hymn. I heard in my church last Sunday grant that I may realize that the trifling of Life creates differences, but that in the higher things. We are all one in the Twilight of his life President Nixon knew that lesson will It is I feel certain of Faith. He would want us all to keep. And so on behalf of all four former presidents who are here. President Ford President Carter, President Reagan President Bush and on behalf of a Grateful Nation We bid farewell to Richard. Milhous Nixon. President Clinton leaving the lectern now and the next item on the program is the him Eternal Father Strong to Save. That him of course in particular Bond Miss have the Navy and President Nixon was a naval officer during the second world war. Now the sermon from Greater King Ram ancient Israel. David said on the death of Saul who had been a bitter enemy know ye not that there is a prince and a great man Fallen This Day in Israel. Today, we remember that with the death of Richard Nixon a great man has fallen. We have heard that the world has lost a great Citizen and America has lost a great Statesman. And those of us that knew him have lost a personal friend. You know a few events touch the heart of every American this profoundly as the death of a president. For the president is our leader. And every American feels that he knows him in a very special way because he hears his voice. So often sees him on television reads about him in the press. And so we all mourn his loss and feel that our world is a bit lonelier. without him but to you who were close to him. This grief is an added pain because you wept when he wept. And you laughed when he laughed and here amidst these familiar surroundings under these California Skies his Earthly life has come full circle. It was here that Richard Nixon was born and reared in his life was molded. But the scripture teaches that there is a time to be born a time to live and a time to die Richard Nixon's time to die came last Friday evening. Since 1990 he had had a brilliant young cardiologist as his doctor by the name of Jeffrey Bora and last Tuesday the day after the president suffered his stroke. The doctor came by the New York Hospital to examining he was partially paralyzed and could not speak but he was still alert and is the doctor talked the president reached out and grabbed his arm with an unusual strength. Ben is the doctor turned to leave something made him turn around and look back to the bed where Richard Nixon was lying. And just at that moment the president waved and gave his trademark thumbs-up signal and smiled. That took determination, which he had and we've heard about already today. It was an example of fighting on and never giving up that Jeffrey Bora will never forget. President Nixon's great voice his warm intelligent eyes his generous smile. Amidst As We Gather here again. Just 10 months after we were here. When his beloved pet went to heaven. A few months ago. He was asking a television interview. How would you like to be remembered? He thought a moment and then he replied. I'd like to be remembered as one who made a difference and he did make a difference in our world as we've heard. So eloquently this afternoon. There's an old saying. That a tree is best measured when it's laid down the great events of his life have already been widely recounted by the news media this week and it's not my purpose to restate what others have already said so eloquently including those who have spoken so movingly here today. I think most of us have been staggered by the many things that he accomplished during his life. His Public Service kept him at the center of the events. That have shaped our destiny this week Time Magazine says that by sheer endurance he rebuilt his standing as the most important figure of the post-war era during his years of Public Service. Richard. Nixon was on center stage during our generation. He had a great respect for the Office of the President. I never heard him one time criticized a living. President who was in the office at that time. There's an old Indian saying never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes. However, there was a another side to him. That's more personal more intimate more human than we've heard referred to several times today. And that was his family his neighbors and his friends who are gathered here today. It was a side that many people did not see for Richard. Nixon was a private person in some ways and some people thought there was a shyness about him. Other sometimes found him hard to get to know there were hundreds of little things. He did for ordinary people that no one would have ever known about he always had a compassion for people who were hurting no one could ever understand Richard Nixon unless they understood the family from which he came the Quaker church that he attended. Whittier College where he studied and the land and the people in this area where you are sitting today, his roots were deep in this part of, California. but there's still another side to him that was his strong and growing faith in God he never wore his religious faith on his sleeves but it was rather reticent to speak about it in public he could have had more reasons than most for not attending church while he occupied the White House when they were so many demonstrations and threats going on but he wanted to set an example and he decided to have Services most Sundays in the White House a small congregation a clergyman from various denominations and I remember before one of the first services that President Nixon had at the White House Ruth and I and two of our friends were in the private quarters with him. I'll never forget the president sitting down on the spur of the moment at an old battered Steinway that they had their playing the old him. He will hold me fast for my savior loves me so he will hold me fast. John Donne said that there's a democracy about death. It comes equal it to us all and makes us all equal when it comes and I think today every one of us ought to be thinking about our own time to die because we to are going to die and we're going to have to face. Almighty God with the life that we lived here. There comes a time when we have to realize that life is short and in the end. The only thing that really counts is not how others see us here, but how God sees us and what the record books of Heaven have to say. For the Bible who for the believer who has been to the Cross death is no frightful leap into the dark, but as an entrance into a glorious New Life. I believe that Richard Nixon right now is with Pat again. Because I believe that in heaven we will know each other. The Bible says for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. There's a gaining about death for the believer. The brutal fact of death has been conquered by the resurrection and of Jesus Christ for the person who has turned from sin and has received Christ as Lord and Savior death is not the end for the believer. There is hope beyond the grave. There's a future life. Yesterday as his body was escorted to the plane for its final Journey here the band played and the familiar strains of a him. He especially loved maybe the best for him that he loved the most were played Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a Wretch like Me I once was lost but now I'm found was blind but now I see through many dangers toils and snares. I have already come tis grace that brought me safe. Thus far for Grace will take me home that him was written 200 years ago by an Englishman named John Newton. He was a cruel man a captain of a slave ship but one night in a fierce storm. He turned to God and committed his life to Christ. Newton not only became a preacher of the Gospel but he influenced William Wilberforce and others in Parliament to bring an end to the slave trade John Newton came to know the miracle of God's Amazing Grace and it changed his life and it changed. Our Lives as well And so we say farewell to Richard Nixon today with hope and our hearts for our hope is in the Eternal Promises of almighty God. years ago Winston Churchill planned his own funeral and he did so with the hope of the resurrection and eternal life, which he firmly believed him. And he instructed after the benediction that a bugler positioned High and the Dome of st. Paul's Cathedral would play Taps. The universal signal that says the day is over but then came a very dramatic moment as Churchill had instructed another bugler was placed on the other side of the massive Dome and he played the notes of Revelation the universal signal that A New Day Has dawned and it is time to arise that was Churchill's testimony that at the end of History the last note will not be tapped. So it'll be rev Li there is hope beyond the grave because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by his death and Resurrection Richard Nixon had that hope and today that can be our hope as well. And to the children and the grandchildren, I would say to you you have that hope within your hearts. I know I had the privilege of knowing them when they were little girls and I've seen them as they've come to know Christ and to know God in their lives. and we look forward to seeing dick and Pat some day in the future again. Shall we pray? God of all comfort in the Silence of this hour we ask thee to sustain this family and these loved ones and to deliver them from loneliness Despair and doubt fill their desolate hearts with by peace and may this be a moment of rededication to thee Our Father those of us who've been left behind have the solemn responsibilities of Life help us to live according to thy will and for thy Glory So that we will be prepared to meet thee we offer our prayer and the name of him who is the resurrection and the life Jesus Christ Our Lord. In the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Now we'll hear America the Beautiful and during the music. You may hear some jet engines going over that will be a flyover by (01:04:33) f-16s from the 388 (01:04:35) Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. (01:07:47) Another presentation of the colors the flag of the United States by an honor guard composed of members from each of the United States armed services is approaching. The flag-draped casket of Richard Nixon which is on a raised platform just behind the lectern from which the speakers have been addressing the crowd. His family will now be escorted to the committal site by the celebrants presidents and first ladies, we ask that you remain and listen as dr. Graham conducts the committal (01:08:22) service. Please rise for (01:08:26) the plane of the honors and the national anthem. Now the casket is being carried by the honor guard. Toward the internment site. This is going to be a private ceremony with as you heard the former presidents in the first ladies President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton, and of course the Nixon family the Reverend Billy Graham who just gave that eloquent sermon. We just heard will be conducting the services. Oh. Eight pallbearers so bearing the coffin they come from all the armed services of the United States have now reached the point in which they're going to have be committal that is to say the internment of the coffin itself in a grave site next to the grave site of the President Nixon his wife Pat Nixon (01:13:15) who died 10 months (01:13:16) ago. Slowly the coffin is lowered still held by the hands of the pallbearers. It is more or less a private ceremonies private except for television being there the 2400 who attended a memorial service have been asked to remain in place so they don't see it. But you can hear it. And those who are watching on television can see it the flag now is being removed usual custom Dennis. The flag will be carefully wrapped according to a protocol and handed to the family. As a boy here at this place. Ra Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want (01:14:52) he maketh me to lie down in Green Pastures. He leadeth me beside the Still Waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his namesake. Yay, though. I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff they comfort me thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies thou anointest my head with oil my cup runneth over surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. For as much as it hath pleased almighty God in his wise Providence to take out of this world the soul of our deceased father grandfather leader and friend. We therefore commit his body to the ground. And this the salute to the 37th President of the United States. Shall we pray the prayer that our Lord taught us to pray? Our Father which art in heaven Hallowed be thy name By kingdom come thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But Deliver Us from Evil for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. amen firing party fire three (01:18:55) Ollie's The flag which the pallbearers had been holding over the casket through all of the solutes and through Taps is now being folded in the Triangular fashion and will be presented to the family. at the gravesite the former presidents and first ladies are on one side the Nixon family on the other his daughters Tricia Nixon and Julie Nixon his brother Ed Nixon. There's been great gravity during this scene, but not many tears have been shed. It was as though the death of mr. Nixon was not a great surprise. The family were there dignified looking on mournful of course and yet somehow with a great deal of dignity and stolidity. The graveside is just behind the house where Richard Nixon grew up the house which President Clinton referred to as the mail order house sent from back (01:21:49) east. And it's (01:21:51) only oh, I'd say a hundred fifty yards or so from where the main ceremony took place. So this is not all very far away. This is happening in a fairly small and closed area again on land. That was at one (01:22:04) time the Nixon family Citrus Farm now the flag folded and it's triangular form is being handed down from one pallbearer to the next. And now it's being carried. And present it to Richard (01:23:04) Nixon's daughter. And (01:23:26) with that the (01:23:28) pallbearers and the honor guard (01:23:30) March away. another flag is being presented (01:23:41) to President Nixon's other daughter They are of course Tricia Nixon Cox and Julie Nixon Eisenhower. And if no few tears were shed earlier. Many are being shed now. Reverend Graham is shaking hands of members of the Nixon family the grandchildren as well and the dignitaries are being led back. To wear the ceremonies took place earlier. (01:24:43) It was in his essence of very simple ceremony. And of course since it didn't happen to Washington it lacked the kind of pump of caissons and foreign Chiefs of state and the kind of panoply. We see now the brother Edward Nixon breaking into tears and did it is true that the tears that were withheld until it's time are now beginning to flow quite freely as the honor guard March away and the family is left. brother daughters grandchildren (01:25:24) We heard for (01:25:25) eulogies of Richard Nixon the first by Henry Kissinger his longtime partner in foreign affairs first as National Security advisor later as Secretary of State. He recalled that when Richard Nixon came to office the United States was at (01:25:40) war in Vietnam was closed off from many Arab (01:25:46) nations in the Middle East and was not speaking negotiating as he put it with the Soviet Union all things that Richard Nixon change during his presidency at the end. He recalled the Vietnam War protester who called him during Nixon's last illness and asked him to tell Richard Nixon that he was praying for him. We heard from Senate minority leader Robert Dole who said that he thought the last part of the 20th century would be remembered as the age of Nixon we heard from California governor Pete Wilson who spoke movingly of Nixon's roots in California and of his small town values. Then we heard from the president United States Bill Clinton who also spoke of Nixon's background and that mail-order house. He had generous praise for Richard Nixon's (01:26:32) Council on Russia. He spoke of his incredibly sharp vigorous and rigorous mind as evidenced by a letter he had from him on the situation in Russia earlier this month. There was also indirect almost delicate (01:26:48) reference to the Watergate crisis when President Clinton said, we cannot ever more judge him on anything (01:26:55) less than his entire life and his career. That's right and let it as also add the very interesting story that Billy (01:27:06) Graham told about what must have been near the last moments of mr. Nixon's life when towards the very end. The cardiologist told me been Consulting. Dr. Jeffrey Gora had come in at turned away. And as he turned back there was Nixon with that familiar thumbs up Salute, which really was a remarkable ending to a quite remarkable life. This was not a time obviously for controversy. The final Judgment of History will rest with a final Judgment of History. This was in part a tribute to Nixon. It was in part a president of the United States leaving. And as had been said during some of these sermons it is a very special time for America so much is invested in a president. And when a president goes without some part of America goes with him. He become so familiar to Americans whether one is supported him or opposed him, but in the end he become such a familiar part such a part of the fabric of American life that the funeral of a president is a very particular special kind of public ritual. Dan thanks very much for being with us. This brings us to the conclusion of NPR's live coverage of the funeral for Richard. Milhous Nixon the 37th President of the United States the engineers for this broadcast were Michael Cullen and Vince Muse John agonic is the producer with production help from d'Ivoire artland Eugene cha Amy Holman and Steve Myers with NPR senior news analyst Daniel schorr. I'm Neal Conan. Good evening from Washington. 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