Travel Pool for Tony

Yesterday I was supposed to be off but since we were travel pool and already traveling to CA, I decided to volunteer to do travel pool duty in the morning. Actually, it was a rather selfish decision. I wanted to go to Tony Snow's funeral and figured this way would be the most convenient. I actually had never been to the Basilica before and didn't know exactly where it was. Being in travel pool for the event meant a quick free ride and a reserved seat. The travel pool were the last people in (before POTUS and the Snow family) and we were the first ones out when it was all over. So I was there, partly for work, but more so to mourn the loss of a fine man. I had never been to a Catholic funeral and was glad to see that it was a rather personal ceremony. Not being Catholic, I wasn't used to all the traditional readings and didn't know exactly when to sit and stand and kneel but I faked my way through it. It was a strange thing to be in a church with all my colleagues and then hundreds of other mourners. But it was a really terrific service, paying tribute to a wonderful man. POTUS was the first speaker and his comments were so meaningful. Say what you want about his policies, but I find it inspiring to hear him talk about God's comfort and love. Click here and read his comments from yesterday.

Since I was travel pool, I did have to do work while there which meant informing everyone else what was going on (even though in this case a lot of the people who were getting the e-mails were actually in the service.) I thought the easiest way to tell you about it is just to cut and paste the e-mails that I sent out yesterday. Some of it might not make sense to you but hopefully it will be helpful to you to understand my morning.

Pool Report #1

Good morning!We are loading up in the vans to go to Tony Snow's funeral.The VP is joining the motorcade and presumably some the extra vans are carrying WH staff. So it's actually a quite long motorcade.Remember the service is closed to cameras but I will be going in and will pass along any color for those who aren't there.

Pool Report #2

We're rolling to Catholic University.I haven't been able to see everyone but so far we've spotted Andy Card and the incoming Deputy CoS Blake Gottesman and Ari Fleischer along with the current WH staff. No sighting of Scott McClellan. :)

Pool Report #3

We have arrived at Catholic University.By the way, we were too far back in the motorcade to get pictures of Bush getting in or out of the limo.

Pool Report #4

We are rolling to the LZ. No pictures of Bush getting in the limo.

For those who weren't inside, POTUS spoke first and gave tribute to Tony's life. He spoke of Tony"s engaging wit and said he looked his job in a joyful way. He said that Tony was irreplaceacle and it was hard to make sense of today but that these are the great mysteries of life. Bush also said that Tony had said last year at Catholic University, "God doesn't promises tomorrow, he promises eternity." Bush said Tony has left the city of Washington for the city of God.

The order of eulogy speakers:
Rev. Matthew Covington, pastor of The Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green, KY (he apparently went to Davidson w/ Tony)- he talked about Tony's integrity and generosity and kindness.
Steven Snow, Tony's brother- he was quite emotional while talking about childhood memories
Jay McConville, Snow family friend and neighbor- he talked about Tony's soul power and his taste in music and his family.
Robbie Snow, Tony's son- he read part of what Tony wrote last year in the Christianity Today article.

Other notes:
At the front of the church, there was a picture of Tony smiling behind the WH podium and also his urn.
Tony's three kids- Kendall, Robbie, and Kristi were the gift bearers.
The West Potomac High School choir sang "Sing Me to Heaven" at the end of communion. (that is where Kendall goes to school.)
The Colonial Singers from WPHS sang "Promised Land". (Kendall was in the program as singing too but I didn't see her go up there to join the other singers.)
There were several preludes and interludes with flute music, fitting to pay tribute to Tony since he played the flute in his band.

Pool Report #5

We've arrived at the LZ of Catholic University.And Bush is wheels up to Andrews AFB.

I was honored to be in attendance for the commemoration of Tony's life and even more honored to have known him.

But now I'm in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA visiting some friends from DC who have moved out to the Pacific Northwest! I've never been to either state so I'm crossing two states off my list while getting to see some cool things! I'll blog about my trip when I get home!