That’s such a powerful piece of music. I know it’s from Dvorak’s 9th Symphony “From The New World” but that arrangement for band is even better. Dvorak may have been Czech, but he wrote a truly American piece of music.
I watched most of that day’s proceedings, from the National Cathedral eulogies to the sunset interment. The two high points (for me) were the latter, and this airport ceremony. The airport ceremony moved me so much because of the beautiful pairing of an energetically upbeat Hail to the Chief and the mournful, deeply felt, beautifully arranged “Going Home,” the two capturing in miniature the essence of Reagan’s broader and immediate journeys themselves. We pass through the world, make our mark (some in more modest, some in world-historical fashion), and ultimately “go home.” This pairing so incredibly suited Ronald Reagan - whose policies by the way, were not my favorites; sorry if this spoils my comment for some😉 - who had such a love of his country and served it with all his heart, but doubtless had an underlying religious faith that taught him this world is but a brief sojourn on a longer journey. And these songs played this way captured so majestically and sweetly the contrast between the “earthly glory” part and the spiritual “hereafter” aspect, ceremonially marking the transition. Such a powerful ceremony. (Obviously the rain helped the mood!) But also so much of the power came from the sheer gesture of this level of ceremony accorded loading the casket onto the plane, a bigger event, more regal, than most actual funerals, even high-status ones. It basically said, “no amount of honor, love and respect for this man could be excessive.” Though it’s not part of the video, I’ll also mention that the whole process (with this ceremony in the middle) beginning at National Cathedral and ending in California, over the course of a day, morning to night, the day’s stretch corresponding the physical stretch of “sea to shining sea” had a majestic sweep that could not fail to touch the heart and arouse stirrings of patriotism.
Today has been a bittersweet day in a political group I belong to, who’d formed a WhatsApp chat to discuss/follow current political developments: our group’s founder, having retired from law practice, moved to Israel to be with children and grandchildren. So there I was, this afternoon, driving on an errand thinking of this wonderful person and deeply committed citizen leaving us to move to Israel, making her way to the airport, and what should come on the radio but the slow movement of the New World Symphony, “Going Home.” It was obviously an extremely touching/poignant moment, and I could not help thinking of this unforgettable moment when the country bade farewell to Ronald Reagan, departing on his final flight home.
When I was thinking of what a disasterous president Biden has been and what a great president Reagan was, there's no way anyone could draw any parallels between the two. Let's just leave it at that. If Resgan could have run for a 3rd term, he would have no doubt won!
Ronald Reagan was the very best President our country had during the second half of the 20th. Century. What we now have is a buffoon that can’t do his job-Biden who is a Clinton puppet who invented the Government shutdown.
I was listening to this on radio while driving and I cried like a baby. Goin Home is perfect...
I was driving and heard this when it was on the radio live. I will never forget that song. Thanks for posting
The music for this moment was performed beautifully. Wonderful arrangement.
Going home is beautiful
The words to Going Home are simply amazing!
I ran across this searching for Civil War Brass. Thank you for this tribute.
That’s such a powerful piece of music. I know it’s from Dvorak’s 9th Symphony “From The New World” but that arrangement for band is even better. Dvorak may have been Czech, but he wrote a truly American piece of music.
Also featured in the film, "Clear and Present Danger."
This music by Dvorak brings you to tears while infusing you with national pride and honor for your country 🇺🇸
Nelson Mendez, you're so bright it definitely would bring tears to your eyes 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪
I watched most of that day’s proceedings, from the National Cathedral eulogies to the sunset interment. The two high points (for me) were the latter, and this airport ceremony.
The airport ceremony moved me so much because of the beautiful pairing of an energetically upbeat Hail to the Chief and the mournful, deeply felt, beautifully arranged “Going Home,” the two capturing in miniature the essence of Reagan’s broader and immediate journeys themselves. We pass through the world, make our mark (some in more modest, some in world-historical fashion), and ultimately “go home.” This pairing so incredibly suited Ronald Reagan - whose policies by the way, were not my favorites; sorry if this spoils my comment for some😉 - who had such a love of his country and served it with all his heart, but doubtless had an underlying religious faith that taught him this world is but a brief sojourn on a longer journey. And these songs played this way captured so majestically and sweetly the contrast between the “earthly glory” part and the spiritual “hereafter” aspect, ceremonially marking the transition. Such a powerful ceremony. (Obviously the rain helped the mood!) But also so much of the power came from the sheer gesture of this level of ceremony accorded loading the casket onto the plane, a bigger event, more regal, than most actual funerals, even high-status ones. It basically said, “no amount of honor, love and respect for this man could be excessive.”
Though it’s not part of the video, I’ll also mention that the whole process (with this ceremony in the middle) beginning at National Cathedral and ending in California, over the course of a day, morning to night, the day’s stretch corresponding the physical stretch of “sea to shining sea” had a majestic sweep that could not fail to touch the heart and arouse stirrings of patriotism.
Today has been a bittersweet day in a political group I belong to, who’d formed a WhatsApp chat to discuss/follow current political developments: our group’s founder, having retired from law practice, moved to Israel to be with children and grandchildren. So there I was, this afternoon, driving on an errand thinking of this wonderful person and deeply committed citizen leaving us to move to Israel, making her way to the airport, and what should come on the radio but the slow movement of the New World Symphony, “Going Home.”
It was obviously an extremely touching/poignant moment, and I could not help thinking of this unforgettable moment when the country bade farewell to Ronald Reagan, departing on his final flight home.
I guess my memory is failing. I could have sworn the AF Band played "It Is Well with My Soul" at his funeral.
When I was thinking of what a disasterous president Biden has been and what a great president Reagan was, there's no way anyone could draw any parallels between the two.
Let's just leave it at that. If Resgan could have run for a 3rd term, he would have no doubt won!
Right there with you. The Standard. The Gipper.
Ronald Reagan was the very best President our country had during the second half of the 20th. Century. What we now have is a buffoon that can’t do his job-Biden who is a Clinton puppet who invented the Government shutdown.
I’d rather we just leave politics out of a funeral ceremony altogether
America has no history. And no classical composers .