The Funeral of President Bill Clinton

[ManBear]

The C-5A Galaxy the Ministry of Defense had recently purchased was standing by on the tarmac of the 21st Tactical Air Base located in Świdwin, Poland. The Galaxy would receive enough fuel to reach Andrews Air Force base and maintain a holding pattern over the Air Base in case there was a holding time due to the amount of dignitaries landing. Once the President had arrived with his entourage which consisted of the President's wife, an ambassador, two security personnel, an experience trauma surgeon, and three nurses. Each of the military personnel on board the aircraft carried sidearms and rifles. The two security personnel also carried sidearms, which they would leave on board the Galaxy when they left with the President's group.

Several hours of flying, the Polish C-5 would contact Andrews Air Traffic Control for permission to land. Once it was granted, it would descend to the runway and move to the designated holding location for the aircraft. Once the aircraft was parked, the rear loading door was opened and the president's team walked off the aircraft. All firearms were secured inside the aircraft before departure. Once it was possible, the President's would move off to their designated Hotel.

 

[Dutchy]

The royal delegation, consisting of Queen Beatrix and Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, took their places in the motorcade and departed from Palace Huis ten Bosch with a police escort. The formation headed from The Hague to Eindhoven Air Base where an Airbus A340-300 was preparing for the journey to Andrews Air Force Base. Upon arrival at the airport the delegation boarded the plane along with their security detail and support staff. The aircraft would take off from Eindhoven Air Base and began its cruise.

Upon nearing US Airspace the first officer would seek contact with the Air Traffic Control, seeking instructions to safely land at Andrews AFB. Once cleared the aircraft would safely touch down and taxi to its assigned stand. The Queen's Adjudant Captain Lodewijk Rooijakker disembarked the aircraft to meet the US representative to discuss the next steps. The royal delegation would remain in the aircraft until everything was arranged and secure.

Odinson

 

[Owen]

The Prime Minister and Governor-General would be thoroughly enjoying themselves in the pub, by themselves as no other world leader joined them. They would be having good conversations with local Washingtonians and would request Reckless by Australian Crawl be played on the jukebox.

The Prime Minister and Governor-General would sway in a circle with the AFP officers who were protecting them and would begin belting the song out while being absolutely hammered.

"Meet me down by the jetty landing,
Where the the pontoons bump and sway,
I see the others reading, standing,
As the Manly Ferry cuts its way to Circular Quay,
Hear the Captain blow his whistle,
So long she's been away,
I miss our early morning wrestle,
Not a very Happy way to start the day.

She don't like,
That kind of behaviour,
She don't like,
That kind of behaviour,
So, throw down your guns,
Don't be so reckless,
Throw down your guns,
Don't be so.

Feel like Scott of the Antarctic,
Base camp too far away,
A Russian sun beneath the Arctic,
Burke and Wills and camels,
Initials in the tree.

She don't like,
That kind of behaviour,
She don't like,
That kind of behaviour,
So, throw down your guns,
Don't be so reckless,
Throw down your guns,
Don't be so."

"TEQUILA SHOTS." The Prime Minister would slam a pineapple down on the counter. Pineapple being Australian slang for a $50 note due to its colour.

​

"Oops, never mind... must've forgot to get some GREENBACKS." He would take the pineapple back.​

 

[Drivindeath]

The Gardaí would hand over their weapons to the Secret Service. The Taoiseach, his wife, and the 10 members of the Gardaí would enter a vehicle parked on the runway and proceed to the White House. The Taoiseach would see the message on his pager from the Australian Prime Minister. When they all arrived at the White House gates they awaited clearance, when the gates opened they would drive up to the front. The Gardaí would step out of the vehicles along with the Taoiseach and his wife. The Taoiseach looked at his wife and said:

"You go on ahead, I have some business to conduct"

She nodded and signaled for the Gardaí to get their bags.

"You two follow me" Bruton said to two Gardaí.

They got back into their vehicle and proceeded to the address that was on the pager. The drive was relatively short and traffic was average. They would arrive at the pub approx. two hours after the message was sent. Bruton would enter the door followed by the two Gardaí. It wouldn't take him long to find the Prime Minister from Australia. He walked over to the bar and ordered three shots of Jameson, then proceeded to where the Prime Minister and Govern-General was. The two Gardaí would join the Australian AFP Officers.

"Gentlemen a round on me!" Bruton would say loudly as the music was playing quite loud.

He would set the two shots on the table for the Prime Minister and Governor-General. He would raise his shot glass to them.

Owen

 

[Odinson]

Private​

Throughout the day, dozens of aircraft were cleared to land at Andrews Air Force Base. The Secret Service and Diplomatic Security Service had set up a temporary forward operating base there so that teams of agents could be assigned to delegations as they arrived. Since it was an Air Force base, everyone who landed would have no choice but to go through base-security checkpoints which included metal detectors and having especially trained dogs briefly walk past them. All security personnel had the choice to either leave their firearms on their aircraft, or to hand them over to the Secret Service at a checkpoint within the base. No one, under any circumstances, were allowed to take weapons of any kind outside of the base. Also, the identities of each person who arrived had to be taken down so that the State Department could issue them diplomatic visas on the spot. This information would also be secretly used to perform background checks and ensure that everyone in the delegations travelling to the United States were not blacklisted or had an warrants out for their arrest within the country. Once each of the delegations made it through these checkpoints, a team of Secret Service and Diplomatic Security Service agents were assigned to them - specifically, two agents for each high official that came, and one agent for each security agent that came. While the funeral was on-going, the armed special agents would watch over any visiting security officers at their hotels. Before leaving the base, the Secret Service issued three special invitations which had been signed by the Social Secretary of The White House - these invitations to attend the funeral would be the ticket for three individuals from each delegation to attend.​

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Black SUVs, which were escorted by a combination of the Secret Service and D.C. Police, would immediately bring anyone staying at the White House directly to the White House Complex. The Irish and Canadians were welcomed inside, and then had to go through another security checkpoint with metal detectors as was protocol. They were both shown to their separate rooms on the third floor of the Residence. The Secret Service maintained a presence on the third floor in order to watch after and track the President's guests, who were free to watch television in their rooms or do some limited exploring on the third floor. There were a number of Residence staff who also would have been happy to give a tour of the historic residence of America's presidents.​

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The other delegations would either be brought to their respective embassies or one of the two aforementioned hotels just across from the White House, which had been exclusively reserved for use by international diplomats and visiting American officials who came to show their respect. All traffic on H Street between 17th Street and 15th Street was closed to most vehicular traffic with few exceptions. The Secret Service also maintained an armed presence outside of the hotels, and within them as well. Agents would also be stand guard outside of the rooms of each visiting delegation, in order to ensure their safety.​

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National Cathedral was also put under special protection. Agents from ATF and the FBI swept the historic cathedral for bombs or weapons of any kind, and all of the custodial staff who worked there were questioned by agents one way or another. The building was kept under heavy surveillance. ​

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The extended family of the Clintons, as well as some family and friends, stayed at Blaire House where there was also a highly visible Secret Service presence. The American flag flying above the building was at half-mast, as were all other American flags flying over official places across the country. That evening, President Clinton's body was ceremonially removed from the Capitol Rotunda where it had been lying in state for three days. Soldiers and sailors from all the branches in the armed forces acted as pallbearers for the President. The coffins for the First Lady, as well as the President's daughter, were already at Washington National Cathedral.​

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The President's coffin was brought by the pallbearers to a horse-drawn horse-drawn caisson. It was loaded and secured, and then began making its way down Constitution Avenue with an escort provided by uniformed members of the armed forces. A 21-gun salute was performed by the Army using ceremonial artillery guns. Constitution Avenue, and the other roads leading to the Capitol Building, were closed so that the funeral parade could take place. Tens-of-thousands of Americans gathered on the streets to wish the 42nd President farewell, as the stoic soldiers, sailors, and airmen walked alongside his coffin which was draped in the American flag. Lining the road to the Capitol were hundreds of servicemen in full-dress uniform. As the President's coffin passed, they snapped to attention and saluted, one by one. Out of respect, President Gore remained at the White House until President Clinton's body arrived at National Cathedral.​

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The Secret Service closed South Road, which lead to National Cathedral. Only vehicles sanctioned directly by them, and driven by them, were allowed onto the street. Only three individuals from each delegation - those who had custody of the invitations - were brought to the Cathedral via government SUVs which were driven by the Secret Service. Capitol Police, D.C. Police, and the Secret Service assisted in ensuring that they were able to safely process through all intersections without intervention from outside traffic. Ushers at the cathedral escorted the the foreign delegates inside, by country, in alphabetical order. The Cathedral was absolutely packed - governors, mayors, White House staff, local leaders, servicemen, businessmen, and a number of average Americans were packed inside of the Cathedral. Outside, the Secret Service had every entryway and exit secured.​

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Forer presidents George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, and Gerald Ford were all in attendance with their wives. They were given front-row seating, along with President Gore, who was the last to be escorted into the cathedral along with his wife. Everyone in the cathedral was wearing black. Friends quietly murmured with each other until the coffins of the First Family were brought down the isle, followed by the procession of President Clinton's. ​

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The service itself was, of course, a religious ceremony for a religious family. There were a few speakers, with the official eulogy being given by President Gore. "I considered Bill and Hillary my friends," he said at one point, "they both worked so hard to make our country a better place, and to lead us towards the twenty-first century. Their dedication and national service will never be forgotten." Arguably most tragic was the death of the President's daughter, who was only 17 years old. While some public official who didn't know her well could have been chosen to say a few words about her, her best friend from high school - who was also 17 - was given the privilege. Speaking in front of so many important people gathered in one place, and to the entire nation which was watching the funeral live, must have been an incredibly overwhelming experience. However, her gave her speech with the utmost dignity and won over the entire nation with it. The Dean of The National Cathedral, who was the parish priest, also said a few words before reading several passages from the scripture. He reminded everyone that the greatest way to honor fallen leaders was to "carry on with their spirit in mind, and never forgetting their sacrifices."​

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The international delegates were returned to the White House, or their embassy, or their hotel in a very similar manner to which they had arrived. Since it was now twilight, everyone was of course welcomed to stay the night. President Gore returned to the White House, where he held a dinner for the guests which were staying at the executive residence. The dinner was more informal and was extremely private. Over night, and into the next morning, the international delegates would continue to be protected as they had been. Then, they would all be escorted to Andrews AFB so that they could fly back home.​

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President Gore permitted the Clinton family to use Air Force One to fly home to Arkansas where the former First Family would be buried. ​

 

[Owen]

Governor-General Bob Hawke and Prime Minister Paul Keating would sit quietly in the funeral within the front rows with their respective wives. Upon leaving the venue they would go around asking delegates who was up for a trip down to the pub.

"Pub anyone?"

"Sink a few pints?"

"Wanna come down to the watering hole?"

They would work their way around the international delegation.

Bob Hawke would have a good chat with his old friend, Ronald Reagan who was President during the time of his Prime Ministership.

​

 

[Odinson]

Private

As previously stated, only three of the Australians would be allowed into the motorcade that would bring the Australian delegation to National Cathedral.
President Reagan, who was kept under close watch by his wife Nancy, would have occasional spouts of forgetfulness as he spoke to the Governor-General, but he was nonetheless friendly with his former national colleague. Meanwhile, the Secret Service would carefully note how much the Australian delegation was drinking, and quietly report it to the State Department later. When they did go out drinking at the bars in D.C. they would notice that a number were either closed out of respect for President Clinton, or that the mood was rather somber at those they did try to visit.

If they chose to visit Off The Record, one of the nicest bars in D.C. located just below the Hay-Adams Hotel, they would be in the company of a number of former Clinton White House staffers, many of which could not seem to grasp why the Australians would be so jovial on such a sad day. Interestingly, all of this information would somehow - and continue to - make its way to a young reporter at The Washington Post.
Owen

 

[ManBear]

The Polish delegation would openly mourn the loss of President Clinton during the service, with the First Lady Jolanta Kwaśniewski seen drying her eyes several times during the speeches. Ambassador Józefa Kalinowska and President Aleksander Kwaśniewski seemed more stoic in their regards to the funeral. As they were leaving the procession, Józefa and Aleksander were invited to the 'pub' to drink by the Australian delegation.

"No, the pub." His English was heavily accented. "Nie, nie, nie. I mean Yes. The pub. Sorry, no means yes in Polska. Poland. Jozefa, you are coming to drink, yes?

"Tak. We drink to President Clinton tonight." Her English was a lot cleaner and more easily understood than that of the older Polish President.

Both would offer their hands to the Australian delegation. "I am President Aleksander Kwaśniewsk and she is one of my Ambassadors, Józefa Kalinowska"

 

[Drivindeath]

After a late night discussion with President Gore, Taoiseach Bruton returned to his room. He slipped into his bed next to his wife and fell fast asleep. The next morning he would pack his belongings and head to the motorcade outside the White House and begin toward the airport. He would board the aircraft with his wife. His security personnel would retrieve their firearms from the Secret Service and board the aircraft as well.

When they receive proper clearance the plane would push back and head to the active runway. They would then take off and head back towards Ireland. The flight would last just under 10 hours before landing safely at Dublin Airport.

They would exit the aircraft after parking at their private hanger. The 27th Infantry Battalion was at the airport along with a couple hundred armed police officials. They would get into their motorcade and proceed home. As they drove through the streets of Dublin, the Taoiseach would notice that the streets where completely empty with the exception of Riot Police and Military.

 

[GingeOrCringe]

Solomiya chortled to herself as she watched Leonid teach their grandson how to tangle up a necktie. The ambassador hadn’t ever been very good at knotting them, and since they had gotten married 29 years before he hadn’t had much practice.

Ruslan mumbled something along the lines of, “if you tighten it anymore, there’s gonna be another funeral for you to go to.” His eyes were on the pocket-consul he’d set on the kitchen table.

“None of those jokes when we’re there. And you leave that Game Guy here,” the ambassador warned in that cool tone of his. It was more out of force of habit than anything. Unlike his uncle, Ruslan was always very well behaved at state events.

“Game Boy,” the eleven year old corrected. It had been their Christmas gift to him. All the games were in English—a trick to ensure he would continue to learn.

One of the staffers—Yakov Osipenko—entered the room. “The car is here. I think they’re a little early.”

“We’ll be two minutes,” nodded Ambassador Gurka, finally creating an acceptable enough knot. “Why don’t you go wait out there, Ruslan?”

The boy was already halfway to the door. He carried his own ticket and was prepared to assault the US secret service with questions: Do you have a gun? Have you ever shot someone? Did they die? Is that illegal or do they give you a license? Do you get lunch breaks? Are you a Republican? How do you feel about the Russians?

“You know…” Solomiya began, helping the ambassador with his own tie. “This is almost refreshing. Isn’t it?”

She didn’t mean the funeral--not exactly. Things were so much… easier in America. Any reporters who might have been interested in the less-than-respectable aspects of the Gurkas' lives were one ocean and a continent away. At the Clinton funeral the ambassador and his family would just be another set of black-clad mourners, as unremarkable as a row of rectangular, gray headstones in a cemetery. He imagined any halfwitted gossip-pundits would be much more focused on how much or how little emotion Al Gore displayed, whom Prince Philip spoke with or snubbed, what shoes Ms. Bianca Wright decided to wear. None of those Pravda people would be there, that was for certain.

Mr. Gurka helped his wife with her coat and offered her his arm as they braved the D.C. cold to reach the black SUV the US government had prepared. They looked like they had stepped out of the 1960s, with Solomiya in a veiled-pillbox hat not unlike the one Jackie Kennedy had worn 34 years before.

At the funeral they would remain rather quiet. Drawing attention to themselves seemed like the worst way to start relations with the new administration. Ruslan would occasionally lean towards his grandfather and whisper questions about different dignitaries and the ceremony. If, afterwords, they crossed paths with the Polish delegation they would nod respectfully. They would do their best to avoid the Australians and return to the Ukrainian embassy. Mr. Gurka would then send a summary-report over email to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before retiring for the night.

 

[Owen]

It would be a long night at the pub but it was time to go home. The next day the two Dassault Falcon 900s at Andrews would be readied and the Prime Minister, Governor-General and their wives and the Chief of Defence Force and other staff would board the two aircraft to head back to Australia. It would head back the route it came going Washington - Los Angeles - Honolulu - Nadi - Canberra for refuelling stops. Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Carmen Lawrence would remain Acting Prime Minister until the Prime Minister returned.

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[ManBear]

The Polish delegation would be sure to wave at the Ukrainian delegation as they neared before they went out drinking with the Australian delegation. After a hard night of many Vodka shots, the Polish delegation boarded the C-5A Galaxy, freshly refueled, and awaited clearance for take off. Once permission was granted it would return back to Poland. Flying directly back with no stops.