An honor guard lines Constitution Avenue.

The 139 year-old horse-drawn gun carriage awaits Reagan's arrival.

Reagan arrives.

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As an honor guard saluted and Mrs. Reagan looked on (far right), President Reagan's body was removed from the hearse ...

... and loaded onto the carriage.

When Mrs. Reagan exited her automobile, the crowd quietly applauded and waved. One man distinctly yelled, "God bless you, Nancy!"

The procession prepares to leave.

A soldier salutes his former Commander-in-Chief.

The mood of the onlookers was palpable. While I'm sure that some were there for curiosity's sake, there was a genuine buzz of affection, sadness and respect, which is almost remarkable considering the size and diversity of the crowd.

The procession begins.

The Riderless Horse carries Reagan's riding boots.

Heading towards the Capitol. (Larger image)

As I moved towards the Capitol during the procession's 20-block journey, I could hear a traveling wave of applause follow the caisson; it was quite touching.

Several blocks later, a band formed up at the head of the procession, playing patriotic hymns and stirring dirges.

Over on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center was festooned with a tribute to the President.

Onlookers filled the rooftops along offices on Pennsylvania Avenue.

A tribute outside the Canadian Embassy.

The crowd was massive. Along the caisson's path, people lined the streets in rows that were 5 - 25 deep. Eager onlookers were perched on every trash can, bench, fountain, fence and concrete barricade along the route.

As I arrived at Third Street, the flights of F-15 Eagles made their booming run. One jet is loud; 21 low-flying fighter jets are awe-inspiring. I failed to catch the final group on film, but when one of the jets in the middle of the formation peeled off from the flight, it was stunning; the plane climbed nearly straight up until it literally disappeared into the ether.

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Near First Street, a team of soldiers prepared a 21-gun salute, the signal for President Reagan's coffin to be removed from the caisson and carried into the Capitol Rotunda.

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The entire affair was beautiful, and the attendance and affection of the crowd was really something special. Watching the antiquated ceremony and the crowd's reaction, it reminded me of what I believe to be Reagan's greatest legacy and gift to the American people: a renewed capacity for romantic optimism.

I was four years-old when Reagan was inaugurated, and by the time he left office he'd solidified my unswerving belief in the potential and relative greatness of the United States. I was never touched by the divisiveness of the Vietnam War, and the extended fears at the tail-end of the Cold War were held in check by Reagan's steady leadership and moral clarity. The man was not perfect, but he was a fantastic President because he gave the children of the 80's a sense of American idenitity that may very well carry us through our modern trials. If you wonder what helped mold this generation's romantic heroes - people like Pat Tillman and Dan Eggers - you don't have to look much farther than the lasting national confidence and patriotism inspired by Ronald Reagan's ability to communicate and inspire belief in America.

Reagan didn't just win the Cold War; he's also given many of us the confidence to fight the battles of the 21st Century.

So long, Dutch.

UPDATE: Mark the Pundit has more photos.

UPDATE: And Calico Cat

UPDATE: And many, many more from Red Line Rants.