Sgt. York's solemn trek (Riderless Horse for Reagan Funeral)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/200881p-173307c.html



He was no winner on the race track, but a skinny Standardbred from New York is set to capture the nation's heart when he serves as the riderless horse in Ronald Reagan's funeral procession.

Sgt. York, a 13-year-old trotter who rarely won in three years at Yonkers and Freehold raceways, will walk stoically behind the caisson bearing the 40th President's flag-draped coffin to the Capitol tomorrow night, an Army spokesman said yesterday.

<snip>

He raced under the name Allaboard Jules, but won just five out of 23 races between 1994 and 1996. He made just $14,881 in prize money and was on his last legs when he finished third in his final race on Jan. 25, 1996.

"He was a dead-lame horse, bowlegged and cross-eyed," recalled Brandwine. "I was saying, 'He's going to die on the race track one day.'"

[central scrutinizer]

1. he should walk backwards

his rear end is an appropriate symbol here

[Bombero1956]

2. I know I may be splitting hairs here but

The reversed boots in stirrups on a riderless horse symbolize a fallen military leader. Reagan served in the Army and attained the rank of Captain,was assigned to the 1st Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, California where he assisted in the production of over 400 training films, hardly a leader.

[PatGund]

4. He did??

I had always read he *played* someone in the military, but he never joined, even the "Hollywood Army". Certainly I can't find anything about his being in the military in WWII.

That being said, he was, during time in office, Commander in Chief, and as such, merits the reversed boots in stirrups. Clinton will merit the same upon his death, unless his family requests otherwise.

[DenverDem]

7. But he was commander when we won our glorious victory over Grenada.

What a scam.

[Raster]

11. evidently the reveresed boots gig is nancy's request...

...and she's spent a lot of time planning this little party.

[saigon68]

3. LOL Outstanding

His face looks like a Hemorrhoid on the horses ass.

[thebigidea]

5. Well, my heart has been captured. Can I have it back now?

[progressivebydesign]

6. At what point do we retire his jersey?

I'm sorry.. but the all Reagan all the time stuff is getting to be a bit over the top. Is there anything they haven't thought of? Looks like the GOP and the Reagan family are making sure that every single thing that has ever been done for any leader that has ever died is used in this week long funeral. And.. we're paying for it! I'm sorry his family is grieving, as are his friends and supporters. But. it just seems so wierd to see the amount of fanfare for a president that died quietly decades after holding office. I almost feel like some people are trying to outdo the Queen's death rituals. Or do people consider the Reagans America's "royal family"? I just don't remember all of this from Johnson's death. Or was I less political?

[saigon68]

8. they should stuff his CORPSE

and put it on display

[Boat Guy]

9. Geez,

He's already got a star on Hollywood Blvd., what MORE does he need?

[Don_G]

10. Nancy Has Been Planning This Since 1989

I imagine most of the details have been worked out by now.

[Piperay]

12. One thing you can say for Reagan

he actually RODE horses, unlike the chimp who is scared of them. I guess when the chimp dies they will have to pull along a riderless truck instead of a horse.

[0007]

13. Actually that's very fitting, a horse that ran out of the money

to represent a president that ran out of the money also.

[Proud2BAmurkin]

14. They must have got the horse from Bush's ranch where

all the horses are riderless

[LizW]

15. Uh-oh

Bush* may be too frightened to attend.