Thousands gather for Ron Brown's funeral
April 10, 1996
Web posted at: 5:10 p.m. EDTWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Ron Brown would have loved the pomp and ceremony of his own funeral, President Clinton told the huge crowd of mourners who gathered Wednesday to pay their last respects to the commerce secretary. (1.2MB QuickTime movie)
The observation brought a smile to Brown's widow, Alma.
"He would have loved this deal today," Clinton said, also smiling. "...all of us dressed almost as well as he would be." (219K AIFF sound or 219K WAV sound)
About 4,700 family members and friends, many from Brown's childhood, packed the Washington National Cathedral for the Episcopal service.
Brown, 54, and 32 other Americans were killed last week in a plane crash while on an economic development mission to Croatia. Two Croatians also died.
Clinton delivered the eulogy for his friend and political ally, thanking him for his friendship. Brown was daring, clever, dedicated, passionate -- "a true leader." (238K AIFF sound or 238K WAV sound)
"Ron Brown's incredible life force brought us all joy in the morning. No dark night could ever defeat him and as we remember him may we always be able to recover his joy," Clinton said.
Brown's life was dedicated to the United States and to ensuring Americans a part of the American dream, the president said. He was a fully decorated Army soldier, a political leader and a public servant.
"He lived a truly American life. He lived his life for America, and when the time came he was found laying down his life for America," Clinton said.
The president also acknowledged Brown's role in helping him attain the presidency. As director of the Democratic National Committee in 1992, he was heavily involved in the campaign. (213K AIFF sound or 213K WAV sound)
Brown's son, Michael, took the pulpit before the president. He thanked the Croatian rescuers who found his father's body, and two family friends who accompanied the body to the United States. He asked for a moment of silence for other victims of the crash, including 11 Commerce Department employees.
He described his father as his best friend and role model, and vowed to continue his father's work. (231K AIFF sound or 231K WAV sound)
Michael Brown injected a note of lightness by joking that those who said his father was graceful under pressure, "have never played golf with him."
His father, he admitted, will be missed not only by his family but around the world. (136K AIFF sound or 136K WAV sound)
Among the mourners were Johnnie Cochran Jr., Stevie Wonder, retired Gen. Colin Powell and former New York Mayor David Dinkins. Supreme Court Justices Stephen G. Breyer and Anthony M. Kennedy also attended, along with Cabinet members.
The president, Hillary Clinton and Chelsea sat with Vice President Al Gore and Tipper Gore in the front row across from the Brown family.
Pallbearers represented each of the branches of military service. Brown's coffin rested on a catafalque built in 1865 to bear the body of Abraham Lincoln. It also was used in the funerals of John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and other presidents.
Following the funeral, Brown was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
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