Ceremonies for Reagan wrap up in California

Because of the large turnout, the period of lying in repose had to be extended.
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) -- More than 100,000 admirers of Ronald Reagan filed past the former president's flag-draped coffin at the hilltop library that bears his name, a steady stream of well-wishers that continued past nightfall.
"It's a lifetime event. I wanted to show my gratitude. I wanted to show my love," said Jesse Garcia, 52, who with his wife traveled down from their home in Northern California to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
The Reagan family was to escort the body from the library today to the nearby Navy base at Point Mugu for a flight to Andrews Air Force Base near Washington aboard a presidential Boeing 747.
The body was then to be taken to the Capitol to lie in state until a funeral at the National Cathedral on Friday.
Duke Blackwood, the library's executive director, said that at the conclusion of the national funeral, the bells of the National Cathedral will ring 40 times, and churches nationwide will join in.
The body will then be flown back to California for burial at the library Friday evening. Blackwood said the inscription on the headstone will read "Ronald Wilson Reagan," with his date of birth and death.
Reagan, the nation's 40th chief executive, was 93 when he died Saturday of pneumonia, as a complication of Alzheimer's disease. He announced he had the disease a decade ago.
Popularity
His death revealed that the popularity of the former Republican president, California governor and movie actor remained strong despite his long absence from public life.
"It is unbelievable what I am seeing on TV," Reagan office chief of staff Joanne Drake quoted Nancy Reagan as saying Tuesday. "The outpouring of love for my husband is incredible."
Mrs. Reagan received a message Tuesday from Pope John Paul II expressing "deep gratitude" for her husband's commitment to the cause of freedom.
Mourners endured hourslong waits just to drive into a nearby college that was shut down to provide parking. They waited hours more to board shuttle buses to the library, which had to add more buses and extend the period of lying in repose to handle the turnout.
"He gave us eight years of service," said Keith Godliman, 50, of Santa Clarita. "It doesn't hurt for us to wait eight hours for him. He deserves us to wait eight hours for him."
About 106,000 mourners passed by the coffin from noon Monday until the public viewing ended Tuesday night, library officials said. The viewing period was originally supposed to end at 6 p.m. Tuesday, but the overwhelming turnout forced an extension to 9 p.m.
Politicians and celebrities
The steady stream was occasionally interrupted by the arrival of political figures and celebrities. Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry stood quietly before the coffin, made the sign of the cross, put his hand over his heart and left.
Visitors to the library Tuesday included Govs. Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, and celebrities Morgan Fairchild and Bruce Boxleitner, who arrived as representatives of the Screen Actors Guild, which Reagan once led.
Actress Bo Derek also paid her respects, saying she became a Republican when Reagan became president, citing his belief in smaller government and optimism.
"It's something when you first see the flag on the casket," she said. "I'm stunned. He was such a great man."
The Red Cross handed out cups of water that were gulped down by mourners before they boarded buses for the return to Moorpark College.
As the last of the public buses shuttled mourners down the hill late Tuesday, those on board said it would not be their last goodbye to the former president.
"We're lucky here in Southern California. We are going to have him around here forever," Marisa Steffensen, 26, said, gesturing toward the site where Reagan will be interred.