MAHONING COUNTY 2 from Valley go to D.C. to honor Reagan

The two waited 51/2 hours to see Reagan's coffin.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two Mahoning County residents stood within a few feet of Nancy Reagan as a horse-drawn caisson brought her late husband's coffin to the Capitol.
Thomas McCabe of North Lima, a Republican state central committeeman and deputy director of the county board of elections, and Matt Ditchey of Youngstown, an attorney and former county GOP executive director, said it was an experience they'll never forget.
McCabe, 37, and Ditchey, 35, said President Reagan was their political role model, and they felt compelled to pay their last respects to him.
The two stood in the front row of a line of people about 15 deep Wednesday on Constitution Avenue, near the Washington Monument, arriving at the location three hours early to get a good view.
"Nancy came out of a limousine and stood in front of us," McCabe said.
"We waited three hours so we were close to the front," Ditchey said. "People were talking and telling tales of why they liked Reagan. But as soon as the caisson arrived, you could hear a pin drop. It was completely silent."
The pair said one of the most amazing aspects of their visit to Washington, D.C., was seeing the 21 F-15 aircrafts that flew over the procession.
"We then ran down to the Capitol for the 21-gun artillery salute," McCabe said.
A long wait
McCabe and Ditchey stood on line for about 51/2 hours to see the coffin of the former president.
"We made a few friends," McCabe said. "There were thousands of people standing waiting to see the coffin. We spent the time talking about Reagan. It was well worth it. I'd do it again."
Ditchey said he had to turn over his camera to security before entering the Capitol's Rotunda, where Reagan's coffin laid in state. No pictures were permitted, and Ditchey got his camera back after the pair left the Rotunda.
"People of all ages from small kids to those in their 80s where there," he said. "It was an emotional event, but it was also a celebration of his life."
Ditchey and McCabe were too young to vote for Reagan when he successfully ran for president in 1980 and 1984. But both said their interest in politics tie directly to growing up with Reagan as president.
"He restored faith and patriotism in this country," Ditchey said.
Among Ditchey's first "political" experiences was riding his bicycle at age 15 to the polling place in his neighborhood and placing two Reagan stickers on a sign outside the building.
McCabe's office at the board of elections is almost a shrine to the late president. McCabe has more than 400 Reagan buttons, several Reagan campaign posters and even a Reagan bobble-head doll in his office.
"He was the president of our generation," McCabe said. "He made the country feel good about themselves."
skolnick@vindy.com