The Sietch will be brought offline for HPG systems maintenance tomorrow (Thursday, 2 May 2024). Please remain calm and do not start any interstellar wars while ComStar is busy.
May the Peace of Blake be with you.
Precentor Dune
The Heritage Park 6:47 PM PHST, Monday, April 28th, 2014
Heritage Memorial Park, Taguig City, Philippines
Not too long after Obama was pronounced & declared dead at 5:27 PM PHST, the surgeons & nurses cleaned up the bloodied body of the late 47th President of the United States while members of the Presidential entourage looked on, others worked the phones in making calls to the US Embassy staff in Manila (which was heavily guarded). Makati Medical Executive Director Dr. Roberto Dela Cruz spoke with George Pressman, one of the senior higher-ups at The Heritage Memorial Park, where plans were being coordinated between them & several senior staff members of the US Embassy in Manila by taking the late President's body out of Makati Medical Center for a drive toward The Heritage Park Chapel, where security was converging due to possible stalkers.
Over at Makati Medical Center, US Secret Service Director Julia Pierson instructed her agents to block off paparazzi camera folks from agitating & preventing people from coming inside nor outside the emergency exit, only the employees of the Heritage Park Funeral Home were allowed inside (they had the white makeshift coffin with the Presidential Seal inside the hearse). It was 6:00 PM PHST: Lois Manzano & the other nurses gathered the slain US President's clothing (the American flag lapel pin was stained with blood & his white dress shirt was heavily drenched with blood including parts of the collar & the blue periwinkle tie was stained with blood as well), shoes, socks, pants & underwear: Loisa placed them into a large brown paperback. She also placed Obama's wristwatch , wallet, etc., in another long brown paperback too, given them to Pierson, who motioned senior level agents of the Presidential detail to take these to an undisclosed location. Loisa had used large white bandages, while she was holding up parts of the right backside of Obama's head that was blasted out from the explosive impact of Aliyah's bullets, after Obama's head was wrapped carefully in large white bandages & later covered in a large white sheet, the body was carefully placed into the white makeshift coffin, sealing it shut, the members of Obama's Secret Service detail wheeled the coffin through the back way in one of the emergency room exits, where the hearse from The Heritage Park was waiting, the coffin was placed inside & the quiet procession to The Heritage Memorial Park began...
Pierson was awaiting arrival of the Obama family, who aboard a private USAF airplane, that had flown from Joint Base Andrews AFB (it would be very late at night when they arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport). Flags were being flown half-staff at the US Embassy in Manila as well as the US Consulate General in Cebu City; US Forces Philippines in suburban Manila as well. At 9:30 PM PHST, the private USAF airplane landed at NAIA, the Obama family stepped out of the plane & walked toward an awaiting SUV, which they entered & accompanying vehicles behind them, drove all the way towards The Heritage Park Funeral Home in Taguig City, in preparation plans to bringing Barry's body back to the States.
Last edited:
Uncle Joe & the title he achieved through traumatic circumstances
Uncle Joe 10:46 AM EST, Monday, April 28th, 2014
Oval Office, White House
Washington, DC
Joe & Jill Biden from the 1970s
As he paced around the Oval Office awaiting US Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor (who was subbing in for US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who was at the hospital for a family emergency) to be ushered in, Biden took in his new surroundings. He was already eyeing where to place portraits & other changes he wanted to be made inside the executive suite of the White House. The door opened, & White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, whose job was now in question---entered with Associate Justice Sotomayor. "Mr. President" began Sotomayor, "shall I administer the Oath of Office here privately ? Or will you be willing take it publicly ?" Without hesitation, Biden replied "Publicly Madam Associate Justice. The American people need to see the continuity of government in action, even on dark, traumatic days as this."
Over in the East Room of the White House, members of the Biden family had been seated on the front rows, awaiting the arrival of the new President & First Lady. Biden & his wife, Jill were marching in silence from the Oval Office to the East Room for the Impromptu Inauguration............................
Chapter I: The Impromptu Inauguration of Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr., as the 48th President 12:00 PM EST, Monday, April 28th, 2014
East Room, White House
Washington, DC
Biden being sworn into office as the 48th President of the United States by US Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor in the East Room of the White House.
Over in the Philippines, as the Obama family arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila & drove all the way to the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City in making plans to retrieve Obama's body, Secret Service agents confiscated the nuclear football exactly as soon as Obama was declared dead at 5:27 PM PHST in the operating room of Makati Medical Center. That moment marked the official end of the Obama presidency & the beginning of Joe Biden's, even though he does not take the Oath of Office for another few HRS back in the States. Meanwhile, over in Taguig City, members of the Presidential entourage (who were traveling with Obama during his Asian Pacific tour) & senior members of the US Embassy in Manila arrived at The Heritage Memorial Park & greeted the Obama family. US Secret Service Director Julia Pierson escorted Mrs. Obama to a private room, where Pressman uncovered the white sheet, revealing the body of the late 47th President of the United States. "It's him. It's my Barry" Michelle said quietly trying hard to control her emotions because she was almost on the verge of gagging at the sight of seeing her husband's graphic head wound, especially the right backside of his head that was blasted out (more on that later in the TL).
Back in the States, over in Washington, DC., Biden was officially America's 48th Chief Executive. Associate Justice Sotomayor came to the podium & introduced the new President & First Lady, who arrived in a respectful, mild round of applause. No music of "Hail to the Chief" was performed out of respect on what had just transpired in Manila. The cameras were flashing non-stop inside the East Room of the White House; among those in attendance was Maya Sotero-Ng, who represented the Obama family, sitting next to the Biden's on the front row of seats. It was time for the Oath of Office as members of the Biden family surrounded Joe & Jill, who was holding the Biden family Bible.
Sotomayor: "Mr. President, are you prepared to take the Oath of Office ?"
Biden: "Yes ma'am."
Sotomayor: "Please put your left hand on the Biden family Bible, raise your right hand & repeat after me your Oath of Office.
I, Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr., do solemnly swear...."
Biden: "I, Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr., do solemnly swear...."
Sotomayor: "that I will faithfully execute..."
Biden: "that I will faithfully execute..."
Sotomayor: "the office of President of the United States..."
Biden: "the office of President of the United States..."
Sotomayor: "& will to the best of my ability..."
Biden: "& will to the best of my ability..."
Sotomayor: "preserve, protect & defend..."
Biden: "preserve, protect & defend..."
Sotomayor: "the Constitution of the United States."
Biden: "the Constitution of the United States."
Sotomayor: "So help me God."
Biden: "So help me God."
Sotomayor: "Congratulations Mr. President & good luck to you."
Biden: "Thank you very much Madam Associate Justice."
The room broke out in quiet, respectful applause; the Associate Justice removed herself from the podium & took her seat next to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, who watched on as her husband began his Inaugural Address.
President Biden: "Thank you very much Madam Associate Justice Sotomayor, distinguished guests, my fellow Americans & members of the international community.
Please let us take a moment of silence & prayer in honor of the late President Obama. Let us remember a man of conviction, dignity & love of country, who served this nation of ours until the final breath of his life. On behalf of the American people, Jill & myself in particular, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the Obama family, who has contributed their public service throughout the years. A family, which lost one of its finest sons today. We are here with you, & we shall never forget the 47th President of the United States.
[Silence]....
Like all members of the Obama administration, I have been proud to serve this President & his agenda, that advanced America & the world at so many different levels. That brought peace to millions in the world & prosperity at home. Today, in this moment of sorrow & resolve, I stand here before you as someone who had sought the Presidency in the past, but ascended to this office under unfortunate circumstances & its enormous responsibility. But neither will I shrink it. The nation has lost a great visionary leader before his time, but the constitutional republic, that President Obama wholeheartedly believed in, works, as it has over our proud 238 year history. I shall be a humble servant of the American people, who elected me twice as their Vice President, & continue the policies of President Barack Obama. As I assume this solemn duty to serve as your President , I feel it is my duty to make a compact with my fellow countrymen. Not an inaugural address, not a fireside chat, not a campaign speech, just a little straight talk among friends & I intend it to be the first of many.
And even though we as a nation are on a crossroads today & we are mourning, nothing could honor the service & legacy of President Obama more than to continue the hard work he began when you first elected him to this office. With a sense of devotion & optimism. This was President Obama's spirit & this is the spirit of America, our America. As I assume the Presidency under these extra ordinary circumstances, I ask you to join me in this effort & give me your trust, your prayers & your support. We have many challenges ahead, but only as one nation, under God, we can & will prevail. We have one common destiny, as one nation with freedom & justice for all.
To outline the specific goals of my Presidency & my administration, I have already spoken with congressional leaders earlier today to give a speech before a Joint Session of Congress within the next few weeks. I am confident, that together, we will move this nation forward & renew its principles & ideals while finding pragmatic solutions that makes America a better place every single day.
With all the strength & all the good sense I have gained from life, with all the confidence my family, my friends, the dedicated Cabinet & my diligent staff impart to me, & with the goodwill of countless Americans I have met over my five & half years as Vice President, I now solemnly reaffirm the promise I made to you over the course of my career as a public servant: to uphold the Constitution, to do what is right as God gives me to see the right, & to do the very best I can for America.
I will not let you down. Thank you very much. God Bless America & may God protect our troops."
[Round of respectful applause from the crowd as the Presidential Seal shows on all the TV screens across the world].
The Heritage Park 10:30 PM PHST, Monday, April 28th, 2014
The Heritage Memorial Park, Taguig City, Philippines
After identifying her husband's body inside the private room, Mrs. Obama was escorted to retrieve her husband's personal effects, but wanted to know what will happen to these personal effects. Pierson replied "These personal effects will be kept for federal evidence since this isn't only a federal crime, but an international crime well. Here is the President's watch, wallet, etc.," as she handed those other effects to the former First Lady, who placed them into a plastic bag & grabbed it very hard in order to avoid letting her daughters see them. She also decided NOT to let Malia & Sasha see their late father's body in such a gruesome way (as mentioned earlier, the right backside of his head was blasted out from the attack at Malacanang Palace). "I want a closed casket for the funeral services when we arrive back in the States." Outside of the Heritage Park, security was quite obvious: members of the US Secret Service coordinating with the Philippine Presidential Security Group (PSG), Philippine National Police & US Forces Philippines had blocked off the roads in Taguig City & also blocked off traffic, forcing the traffic to clog parts of Quezon City. The private room (where Obama's body was placed into a deep freezer) was heavily guarded inside the funeral chapel of The Heritage Park by security for the remainder of 2-3 days.
Obviously still grieving, weary & tired from the long flight from Washington, DC to Manila, Mrs. Obama was driven to Forbes Park Residence to spend the night or two until they were ready to do a procession toward Ninoy Aquino International Airport, placing her husband's remains aboard Air Force One in flying back to the States. Plans were underway to fly Air Force One into a private indoor hangar (April 30th will be the expected date for arrival) at O'Haire International Airport in Chicago, IL.
Details of the Private Autopsy of the 46th US President 12:29 AM PHST, Tuesday, April 29th, 2014
The Heritage Memorial Park, Taguig City, Philippines
[Segment will be graphic: viewer discretion advised]
Private medical examiners from Taguig City were assisted by White House Physician to the President US Navy Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson & several others from Makati Medical Center, participated in the private autopsy of the late President Obama. The autopsy started 11:29 PM PHST & ended at 5:56 AM PHST.
Among the findings:
(1) They probed the bullet hole in the base of President Obama's left side of his chest below the left scapula, managed to get the bullet fragment out (after Manzano had to remove the heart, lungs, etc., in order to remove all of the remaining bullet fragments out). Emergency room physicians from Makati had obscured it earlier while performing the first part of the autopsy.
(2) The private autopsy report of the 47th President, (later Roberts Commission Exhibit CE 387) described the back wound as being oval shaped, 6 by 4 millimeters (0.24 in x 0.16 in), & located in the lower left side of the shoulder blade in the back.
(3) The concluding page of the private autopsy report stated other missiles (the other bullets through the back to the chest) entered the upper left side of the back & traversed the soft tissues & damaged the left lung.
(4) It also concluded that the bullets produced damage to the spinal cord, which was severely damaged & shattered upon impact.
(5) The gunshot wound to the back of the President's head was described by the private autopsy as a laceration measuring 15 by 6 millimeters (0.59 in x 0.24 in), situated to the right & slightly above the external occipital protuberance. In the underlying bone is a corresponding wound through the skull showing beveling (a cone-shaped widening) of the margins of the bone as viewed from the inside of the skull.
(6) The large & irregularly-shaped wound in the right side of the head (chiefly to the parietal bone, but also involving the temporal & occipital bone) is described as being about 13 centimeters (5.1 in) wide at the largest diameter.
During the long private autopsy, they carefully examined Obama's organs (heart, lungs, stomach, kidneys, etc.,) the left lung was obviously damaged from the bullet fragments & they had to remove all of the hanging brain matter (what's left of the brain) out of the entire right backside of his head (placing it into a special case for national security reasons) soon afterwards: the organs were carefully placed back into the body, including carefully placing large black-covered cloth-like bandages on the right backside of his head & sewing it up. Afterwards, they sewed up the body, cleaned it up thoroughly & placed the body into the deep freezer.
Dr. Jill 11:57 AM EST, Wednesday, April 30th, 2014
Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Washington, DC
The events of April 28th in Manila, Philippines altered pretty much everything in the entire world. For Dr. Jill Biden, her new role as First Lady under tragic circumstances & she would have to use delicate balancing in forging different duties: acting as official hostess in her newly-promoted role while at the same time, working as an adjunct professor at the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), which was one of the second largest community colleges in the country.
In choosing not to rush into moving into the White House (the Obama's personal effects, belongings, etc., would have to be moved out slowly as the Obama family began making funeral arrangements for Barry: more on that later in Chapter 2), the Biden's remained residing at Number One Observatory Circle, the official residence of the Vice President while maintaining their private residence in Wilmington, DE. Jill kept a staff of just eight overall & maintained occupancy of a corner suite inside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
By continuing to teach at NOVA, Jill held a permanent position as an associate professor, teaching three English & writing composition courses two days per week. She made her position there as normal as she could, sharing a cubicle with another teacher, holding regular office hours for students & trying to persuade her accompanying Secret Service agents to dress as unobtrusively as possible. Even her students didn't know or were aware of who she was, referring to the new First Lady as "Dr. B." Known as a compassionate teacher who engaged with her students' lives, Dr. Biden was also one who assigned them with lots of homework & was known as a very tough grader. Staffers recalled Biden always carried students' work around her on trips, & then-First Lady Michelle Obama recollected of her time traveling with Biden was simply, "Jill is always grading papers."
Condolences from former US Presidents Wednesday, April 30th, 2014
In the fallout from the bloody chaos on that fateful Monday afternoon in Manila, condolences poured out immediately from countless people ranging from former Heads of State, current Heads of State in foreign countries including several American politicos & among them: former US Presidents, who gave their personal condolences via Social Media or press statements released:
*Former US President Edmund Gerald Brown, Jr.,: 40th President from August 22nd, 1977 to January 20th, 1981:
"Anne and I give our heartfelt condolences to the Obama family upon the sudden passing of President Barack Obama. His hardworking accomplishments in office will be long remembered by many Americans in the coming years & decades ahead."
*Former US President George Herbert Walker Bush: 42nd President of the United States from December 7th, 1986 to January 20th, 1993 & former US First Lady Barbara Bush (via press release statement):
"Barbara & I give our condolences to the family of President Obama during this difficult time. Our heartfelt condolences & prayers. We will remember President Obama as someone, who brought honor, integrity & duty to the office of the Presidency."
*Former US President Edwin Edwards: 44th President of the United States from June 4th, 1995 to January 25th, 1999
"Thoughts & prayers going out to the Obama family on the sudden passing of a great American, beloved husband & father including one of the greatest visionary Presidents of our country. President Obama will go down in the history books as one of the visionary leaders of all-time."
*Former US President Albert Arnold Gore, Jr: 45th President of the United States from January 25th, 1999 to January 20th, 2001
"I am shocked, stunned, devastated by the horrific news in Manila, Philippines. President Obama will be remembered for doing what's right for the next generation of Americans instead of political expediency. The Gore family offers its prayers & sympathies to the Obama family."
*Former US President George W. Bush: 46th President of the United States from January 20th, 2001 to January 20th, 2009 & former US First Lady Laura Bush:
"Laura & I give our deepest condolences to the family of President Barack Obama. America has lost a visionary & dedicated public servant. We're praying for Michelle, Malia & Sasha on the passing of a beloved husband & father. Our hearts are with you during this difficult time."
Bringing Barry home 10:00 PM CST, Wednesday, April 30th, 2014
O'Haire International Airport
Chicago, IL
It was late Wednesday night when Air Force One landed at the O'Haire International Airport in Chicago, IL. The Presidential plane then went into a private hangar (where no TV cameras were allowed), as the coffin containing the remains of the late 47th President Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., was placed into a hearse from the Ryan-Parke Funeral Home of Park Ridge, IL., where a convoy of vehicles escorted the hearse through the streets towards its destination: Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, where the late President's body would remain as the Obama family began to work on finalizing funeral arrangements.
Uncle Joe sizes up the White House Staff 1:43 PM EST, Thursday, May 1st, 2014
Oval Office, White House, Washington, DC
President Biden in a private moment during a meeting inside the Oval Office.
Uncle Joe was hard at work inside the Oval Office, having never left the White House grounds at all since assuming the Presidency on April 28th. It was less than three days since the ruthless Secret Task Force (particularly Aliyah Imperial) shot & killed his predecessor, & he was still coming to terms with the magnitude of what had just happened. In spite of two failed attempts for the Democratic nomination for President in 1988 & 2008, each candidacy engulfed with controversy than the last, Biden was haunted by the means which finally brought him his long desired title (a goal he had set for himself since his college days). "None of this makes any sense. This just couldn't & would not happen as to why the office of the Presidency fell on my shoulders in such a violent way" he said to himself while praying for his predecessor, Barack Obama, who became the seventh member of a club that NOBODY ever wanted him to join at all...
There would have to be major changes though. Some exits would be quicker than others. Almost immediately, the 48th President immediately began to size up the White House Staff & Cabinet. Some would have to go. First on the chopping block: US Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, whose tenure had been rocky due to open hostility from conservative GOPers over the controversial Affordable Care Act (which was passed on party-line vote in 2010) including Red States filing non-stop lawsuits demanding its repeal of the law; US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power was told her services would no longer be needed effective in three months;
US Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki was ready to leave; at first, he refused to resign despite bipartisan backlash over the VA Nursing Home scandals & other controversies engulfing the US Department of Veterans Affairs. With his former boss now in a casket bound for Washington, DC., he no longer felt bound to Biden & had decided to resign effective May 30th. However, his old close friends from the United States Senate: John Kerry was to remain as US Secretary of State & Chuck Hagel was likewise reassured that he would be retaining his position as US Secretary of Defense.
Condolences from foreign Heads of State
Thursday, May 1st, 2014
*Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
*Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto
*Former Mexican President Felipe Calderon
*Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip of the United Kingdom
*British Prime Minister David Cameron
*French President Francois Hollande
*Former French President Nicholas Sarkozy
*Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff
*Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
*Haitian President Michael Bartelly
*Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos
*Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe
*Peruvian President Huma Ollanta
*Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
*Chilean President Michelle Bachelet
*Former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera
*German Chancellor Angela Merkel
*Emperor Akihito & Empress Michiko of Japan
*Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
*Korean President Park Geun-hye
*Former Korean President Lee Myung-bak
*Philippine President Benigno SC Aquino, III (via press release from the Aquino family)
*Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
*Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
*South African President Jacob Zuma
*Kenyan President Uhru Kenyatta
*King Lestie III of Lesotho
*Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
*Malawian President Joyce Banda
*Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan
*Rwandan President Paul Kagame
*King Mswati III of Swaziland
*United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon
* Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou
* Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
*Indian President Pranab Mukherjee
*Afghan President Hamid Karzai
*Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen
*King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia
*PRC President Xi Jingping
*Russian President Vladimir Putin
*Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak
*Indonesian President Suslio Bambang Yudhoyono
*Israeli President Shimon Peres
*Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
*Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev
*King Bhumidol Adulyadej of Thailand
*Myanmarian President Thein Sein
*Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang
*Turkish President Abdullah Gul
*Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
*King Philippe of Belgium
*Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves
*Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili
*Finnish President Sauli Niinisto
*German Chancellor Angela Merkel
*Irish President Michael Higgins
*Italian President Giorgio Napolitano
*Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi
*Prince Albert II of Monaco
*King Harold V of Norway
*King Juan Carlos I of Spain
*EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso
*NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen
*Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski
Last edited:
Funeral arrangements finalized for the late President Obama
BREAKING NEWS: FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ANNOUNCED; DETAILS COMING IN... 12:00 PM CST, Thursday, May 1st, 2014
Saturday, May 3rd, 2014
Ryan-Parke Funeral Home
120 South Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068
*10:30 AM CST: The flag-draped casket of the late 47th President will be carried out of the Ryan-Parke Funeral Home by members of the late President's Secret Service protection detail. IL State Troopers, Chicago Police Department officers, Cook County Sheriff's Department Deputies will be lined up, standing at attention on each side of the procession route; saluting the hearse carrying the casket as the procession heads towards its destination: O'Hare International Airport.
*11:45 AM CST: Departure Honors Ceremony will be taking place at O'Hare International Airport as "Hail to the Chief" is performed by the University of Illinois Illini Marching Band as the Artillery Unit of the IL Army National Guard will be firing the 21 Cannon Salute. Following the Cannon Salute's conclusion, the flag-draped casket will be placed aboard Special Air Mission 47, where it will be flown to Joint Base Andrews AFB.
4:00 PM EST
Joint Base Andrews AFB
Prince Georges County, MD
*Welcoming Honors Ceremony will be occurring as the United States Air Force Band performs "Hail to the Chief" & "God Bless America"; 21 Cannon Salute will be rendered by the United States Army's Presidential Salute Battery Unit; the flag-draped casket will then be carried through a ramp composed of US Armed Forces (Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, National Guard) personnel into an awaiting Cadillac XTS Echelon hearse for transfer to the US Capitol.
5:25 PM EST
US Capitol East Front Grounds
Washington, DC
*Arrival Honors are rendered as the 21 Cannon Salute is fired by the Presidential Salute Battery Unit.
*State Funeral will be taking place inside the US Capitol Rotunda, where US House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, US Supreme Court Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor & Elena Kagan will be delivering remarks.
*President Biden will be laying a Presidential wreath near the flag-draped casket; wreaths from the US House of Representatives & United States Senate will also be placed on each side of the flag-draped casket.
Saturday, May 3rd, 2014-Monday, May 5th, 2014
Lying in Repose
US Capitol Rotunda
Washington, DC
Monday, May 5th, 2014
Departure Honors Ceremony
US Capitol East Front Grounds
10:00 AM EST
*Procession will be driving slowly & stopping at the White House for one last time.
Funeral Service
Monday, May 5th, 2014
11:00 AM EST
Washington National Cathedral
Washington, DC
*Speakers at the funeral will include the following:
*President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.,
*MA Governor Deval Patrick (D)
*United States Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
*Former US Interior Secretary Kenneth Salazar
*Musical selections will be performed by 2004 "American Idol" 7th Place Finalist & Oscar-winning Best Supporting Actress from "Dreamgirls" Jennifer Hudson; 2002 "American Idol" Winner Kelly Clarkson; United States Marine Orchestra; Armed Forces Chorus; US Coast Guard Band.
Dignitaries expected to attend the State Funeral festivities:
*Former President George W. Bush & former First Lady Laura Bush (representing the entire Bush family since his parents, former President George HW Bush & former First Lady Barbara Bush are having health problems); former President Albert Gore, Jr.,; former President Edwin Edwards & CA Governor (former President) Jerry Brown & his wife CA First Lady Anne Gust Brown.
*Former Vice Presidents Bob Dole & his wife former Second Lady Elizabeth Dole; former Vice President Wesley Clark; former Vice President Dan Quayle & his wife former Second Lady Marilyn Quayle.
Foreign Heads of State/Dignitaries expected to attend the State Funeral of President Obama:
*Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
*Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto & his wife, Mexican First Lady Angelica Rivera
*Former Mexican President Felipe Calderon & his wife, former Mexican First Lady Margarita Zavala
*Korean President Park Geun-hye
*Former Korean President Lee Myung-bak
*UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon
*Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
*Prince Charles of Wales & his wife, Dutchess Camila of Cornwall (representing the British Royal Family)
*Former Philippine President Fidel Valdez Ramos
*Kris Aquino & her sons, Josh & Bimby
*Ballsy Aquino Cruz
*Pinky Aquino Abellada (representing the Aquino family)
*French President Francois Hollande
*Former French President Nicholas Sarkozy & his wife, former French First Lady Carla Bruni
German Chancellor Angela Merkel
*Spanish Crown Prince Felipe & his wife, Crown Princess Letizia
*Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
*Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
*Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi
*New Zealand Prime Minister John Key
*Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott
*Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard
*Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
*South African President Jacob Zuma
*Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos
*Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe
*Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
*Chilean President Michelle Bachelet
*Former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera
*Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong
*Myanmar President Thein Sein
*King Abdullah II of Jordan & his wife, Queen Rania
*Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei
*Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev
*Kenyan President Uhru Kenyatta
*King Mswati III of Swaziland
*Peruvian President Ollanta Humala & his wife, Peruvian First Lady Nadine Heredia
*Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff
*Former Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva
*NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Departure Honors Ceremony
2:00 PM EST
Joint Base Andrews AFB
Prince Georges County, MD
*Special Air Mission 47 will depart around 2:26 PM EST
Welcoming Honors Ceremony
4:46 PM CST
Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport
Springfield, IL
Lying in Repose
IL Statehouse Rotunda
Springfield, IL
*This will begin around 6:24 PM CST & continue until the following morning.
Funeral Service
Tuesday, May 6th, 2014
11:00 AM CST
Prairie Capital Convention Center
Springfield, IL
*Officiated by Elder Charles E. Blake, Senior Pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ (Los Angeles, CA)
*Speakers will include United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL); Maya Soetro-Ng; US Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL); IL Governor Patrick Quinn (D); IL Secretary of State Jesse White (D); Chicago, IL Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D); former US Education Secretary James B. "Jim" Hunt, Jr.,
*Musical selections will be performed by 2002 "American Idol" 4th Place Finalist Tamyra Gray; Ron Isley of the Isley Brothers; Faith Hill.
Final Resting Place:
Tuesday, May 6th, 2014
Oak Ridge Cemetery
Springfield, IL
*21 Cannon Salute fired by the United States Marine Corps Artillery Battery Unit
*Flyover by the IL Air National Guard (47 jets will be flown during the graveside service)
*Flag presentation by President Biden to the Obama family.
The first of several farewells to President Obama
10:30 AM CST, Saturday, May 3rd, 2014
US Armed Forces Honor Guard personnel place President Obama's flag-draped casket into Special Air Mission 47 at the O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, IL.
It was a crispy Saturday morning, but somewhat cold due to the freezing weather in the previous week; inside the Ryan-Park Funeral Home Chapel, the closed, flag-draped casket of the 47th President was laying inside the large chapel room as members of the Obama family gathered to quietly say their final goodbyes to Barry.
Over at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport, the former First Lady & members of the Obama & Robinson families had gathered along with United States Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) & Mark Kirk (R-IL); US Reps. Robin Kelly (D-IL), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Adam Kizinger (R-IL), Chicago, IL Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D), Chicago Police Department Superintendent Garry McCarthy, Chicago Police Department Patrol Chief Eddie T. Johnson, Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart & several other dignitaries. At 10:30 AM CST, the Secret Service protection detail who had protected the Obama family for the past 5 1/2 years, carried the flag-draped casket out of the Ryan-Park Funeral Home Chapel in preparation for the procession to the Chicago O'Hare International Airport & while the procession towards its destination was going along, members of the Chicago Police Department, Cook County Sheriff's Department & Chicago Fire Department saluted as the hearse & other vehicles drove past them.
11:45 AM CST: The procession arrived at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, where "Hail to the Chief" was performed & the 21 Cannon Salute was rendered by the Artillery Unit of the IL Army National Guard.
Following the Departure Honors, the flag-draped casket of President Obama was placed upon a special truck carriage & placed inside Special Air Mission 47 as members of the Obama family stepped into the aircraft, which would fly them to Washington, DC for the State Funeral festivities at the US Capitol Rotunda later that evening.
Last edited:
Special Air Mission 47 arrives at Joint Base Andrews AFB
President Obama returns to Washington DC for the final time.... 4:00 PM EST, Saturday, May 3rd, 2014
Joint Base Andrews AFB, Prince Georges County, MD
Special Air Mission 47 arrived at Joint Base Andrews AFB, where the US Armed Forces Honor Guard took the casket out of the aircraft when the United States Air Force performed "Hail to the Chief" while the 21 Cannon Salute was fired loudly by the Presidential Salute Battery Unit. Soon afterwards, "God Bless America" was then performed as the flag-draped casket of President Obama was carried through a ramp guard composed of the US Armed Forces (Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, National Guard) towards an awaiting Cadillac XTS Echelon hearse for the official transfer for the procession towards its next destination, the US Capitol.
Welcoming Honors Ceremony at the US Capitol 5:45 PM EST, Saturday, May 3rd, 2014
US Capitol East Front Grounds, Washington, DC
When the funeral cortege arrived at the US Capitol East Front Grounds, members of the Obama family were escorted to the steps of the Capitol (having arrived several minutes earlier while the Honor Guard about to march towards the hearse carrying Obama's flag-draped casket). "Hail to the Chief" was performed while the 21 Cannon Salute was fired by the Presidential Salute Battery Unit; TV cameras showed former US First Lady Michelle Obama & her two daughters, Sasha & Malia holding it together, all of whom were strong & composed including relatives of the Obama family during the entire ordeal. Among the speakers at the services inside the US Capitol Rotunda: US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), US House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, US Supreme Court Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor & Elena Kagan, all delivered respective eulogies honoring the late 47th President. Following the speeches, President Biden (who was in attendance) placed the Presidential wreath next to the flag-draped casket, then the wreaths of the US House of Representatives & United States Senate were placed as well. Thus, began the long public viewing of the body of the late 47th President as major TV networks such as C-SPAN aired live coverage 24/7 non-stop.
Highlights of the Lying in Repose at the US Capitol Saturday, May 3rd-Monday, May 5th, 2014
US Capitol Rotunda, Washington, DC
Following the services inside the US Capitol Rotunda, members of the Obama family walked up to the flag-draped casket, prayed silently before exiting towards their destination at the Blair House (where the Obama family will be staying for the duration until the State Funeral services on Monday morning). During this time, several members of the US House of Representatives paid their respects including the House leadership (GOP majority & Dem minority), then members of the United States Senate paid their respects; members of the Congressional Black Caucus held a private silent prayer.
Throughout the weekend, 5,000+ people filed past the flag-draped casket of President Barack Obama. On May 4th: former Philippine President Fidel Valdez Ramos & his wife, former Philippine First Lady Amelita Ramos including members of the Aquino family paid their respects. Ramos then saluted the casket before leaving to the Blair House, where they met with the Obama family to personally give their condolences & spent time with them.
Departure Honors Ceremony at the US Capitol 10:00 AM EST, Monday, May 5th, 2014
US Capitol East Front Grounds, Washington, DC
Departure Honors Ceremony at the US Capitol East Front Grounds....
It was Monday morning, May 5th, 2014 & members of the Obama family had left the Blair House for the final time a few HRS earlier & arrived at the US Capitol East Front Grounds; among those in attendance was US Navy Admiral Harry K. Harris, Jr., Commander of the US Pacific Fleet including President Joe Biden & First Lady Dr. Jill Biden; several members of the Biden Cabinet were also waiting outside along with couple of former Obama Cabinet officials such as former US Education Secretary James B. Hunt, Jr., & former US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. The Joint Services Honor Guard carried the flag-draped casket of the late President Obama outside the US Capitol's East Front's steps where the Presidential Anthem "Hail to the Chief" was performed by the US Army Band while the 21 Cannon Salute was fired very loudly by the Presidential Salute Battery Unit. It was a very moving, emotional moment as TV cameras showed everyone doing their very best to keeping it together.
Soon afterwards, the flag-draped casket was then marched down the steps of the US Capitol as "God Bless America" was performed; once the flag-draped casket was placed inside the Cadillac XTS Echelon hearse, it was time for the procession to the Washington National Cathedral for the State Funeral service scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM EST.
Highlights of the funeral procession to the
Washington National Cathedral Monday, May 5th, 2014
Washington, DC.
This was an emotional moment for the American people & the entire world as the hearse stopped at the White House for several minutes before the procession moved on...
Once the procession left the US Capitol, the funeral cortege traveled the following route:
*Motorcade departed the US Capitol via DE Avenue
*Left on Constitutional Avenue NW
*Right on PA Avenue NW
*Right on 15th Street NW
*Left on PA Avenue NW
*Continuing on PA Avenue NW
*Right on 22nd Street
*Left on MA Avenue NW
*Right on WI Avenue NW
*Arrival right into the complex of the Washington National Cathedral
State Funeral for the 47th President 11:00 AM EST, Monday, May 5th, 2014
Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC.
The State Funeral service for the late 47th President Barack Obama was officiated by Bishop of the Episcopal Church Michael Bruce Curry, the Right Reverend Mariann Budde (Bishop of the Washington National Cathedral), Randolph Holerith (Rector of the Saint James Episcopal Church of Richmond, VA) & the Reverend Dr. Wallace Charles Smith (Senior Pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church); Reverend Robert W. Fisher of Saint John's Episcopal Church was the Master of Ceremonies.
Malia & Sasha Obama, Maya Soetoro-Ng & Craig Robinson were the readers; outgoing White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett provided the Intercession. Eulogies were delivered by MA Governor Deval Patrick (D), former US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, United States Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who brought a little bit of laughter to everyone in the service when he brought up hilarious & funny jabs between him & Obama & the final eulogy came from President Biden himself, stating "When the history books are written, they will remember Barack Obama as not just the first African American to hold the office of the Presidency of the United States winning election to this powerful office twice, but as the visionary President, who did everything he could to bring all Americans together in tough times, making the tough decisions so that future generations of Americans can succeed in The Nation of the Future during the 21st Century & caring more about the next generation instead of the next election.", which some observers obviously pointed out the blatant coded jab Biden had launched, referring to US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who was in attendance.
Musical tributes were provided by the United States Marine Orchestra, Armed Forces Chorus, United States Coast Guard Band, 2004 "American Idol" 7th Place finalist & Oscar Award-winning Best Supporting Actress for "Dreamgirls" Jennifer Hudson & 2002 "American Idol" Winner Kelly Clarkson. After the services, the Washington Ringing Society rung a half-muffled quarter peal of Grandshire Caters to the late President Obama's memory.
.jpg)
