[Cider Jim]

I'm scanning them now so you out of town guys can see them.

Super, scanning those pics is a great idea! The article by Angela Hunt (an LU alumna) is priceless.

If you haven't gone to the viewing yet, SJ, you really should before it's too late.

[bigsmooth]

yeah SJ, i cried when i got to lynchburg after work. i just felt like i needed to be in lynchburg and i went into TRBC and just sat in the auditorium and prayed and cried. im sure those emotions will be back sunday when i go to church and then the viewing.

[SuperJon]

SJ, if you have a copy of the previous weeks champion there is a great interview with him and a Fact/Myth section. It's pretty good.

I didn't get one of last weeks. I generally don't read the Champion because I never remember to pick it up.

[LUconn]

It's definatly a very tough thing to see. I could only stand to be in front of him for a few seconds.

[TDDance234]

It just feels.. weird.

To see everything around Lynchburg saying, "...In loving memory."

Just doesn't feel right.

[SuperJon]

I just can't bring myself to go in there. I didn't really know him or anything, but I just can't do it.

[Libertine]

I'm with you, Jon. (this isn't thought through in any cohesive form, so please bear with me) Obviously, it's important to a lot of people that they attend the viewing but, personally, I'd rather not go. To me, viewing/visitation is about support for the family and closure for everyone else. I didn't personally know the family well enough to offer support in a meaningful way and, quite honestly, I really don't want closure on Doc. When I think of the man, I think of him in terms of what he stood for and what he founded this university to become and I'm not anywhere close to ready to give that up, even if it does hurt. His life was so public and now his death is, too, and I can accept that he's no longer here without having to see the empty shell for myself. I would prefer that my last memories of him be the man that he was in life. Those of you that do go and have gone, God bless you and I'm sure the Falwell, TRBC and LU families appreciate it. I just can't do it.

[SuperJon]

What he said.

[LUconn]

I'm with you, Jon. (this isn't thought through in any cohesive form, so please bear with me) Obviously, it's important to a lot of people that they attend the viewing but, personally, I'd rather not go. To me, viewing/visitation is about support for the family and closure for everyone else. I didn't personally know the family well enough to offer support in a meaningful way and, quite honestly, I really don't want closure on Doc. When I think of the man, I think of him in terms of what he stood for and what he founded this university to become and I'm not anywhere close to ready to give that up, even if it does hurt. His life was so public and now his death is, too, and I can accept that he's no longer here without having to see the empty shell for myself. I would prefer that my last memories of him be the man that he was in life. Those of you that do go and have gone, God bless you and I'm sure the Falwell, TRBC and LU families appreciate it. I just can't do it.

I was going to mention to anybody who may never have been to a viewing, the body always looks different. So it can alter your last memories of the person.

[PAmedic]

Really wish I could make the service, but have the same thought on viewing as you guys.

I'd really rather remember him as he lived- larger than, and full of, LIFE

that, and the emotions are overwhelming.

different strokes for different folks.

[Sly Fox]

Some folks need the closure of seeing the body and having it hit home that Jerry is gone and in the presence of his Master. For those people this can be a very beneficial time.

Personally I don't handle viewings very well even when I don't know the departed. It would be tough for me to go myself if I could ... but I probably would nonetheless.

[TallyW]

Are they handing out cards at his viewing? For the Presidents they do this and in a picture I thought I saw some large tables at the foot of Demoss. I was just curious to see if anyone would be able to scan one for those who are not there. Again, just another way to take in the week. Thanks.

[LUconn]

Those tables were for people to sign the guestbooks. People are getting ribbons somewhere, I couldn't find them though. There's a picture of one in one of the slideshows on the N&A website. It's a black ribbon with a red tie in the middle.

[jcmanson]

I am a person who needs the closure. I will always remember him the way he lived his life, but it helps me to be able to SEE that he is not here anymore. Everyone's different though.

[JDUB]

i went to the viewing and still don't feel closure. i guess its just going to take a while for it to sink in that he is actually gone

[PAmedic]

this may have been posted already- many threads going now...

http://newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellit ... 2980&path=

Horse-drawn hearse to take Falwell's casket to TRBC

By Sarah Watson
swatson@newsadvance.com
May 19, 2007

The Rev. Jerry Falwell’s casket will be moved by horse-drawn hearse from the DeMoss Learning Center to the Thomas Road Baptist Church main sanctuary immediately following this morning’s worship service.

The family is paying for the use of the horse-drawn hearse, but a Farmville driver is volunteering his services, Paul Whitten, president of Whitten Funeral Home, said.

[BrysOn_G]

church at trbc this morning was tough to sit through, yet very appropriate. there was a very well-made video tribute to him and the choir started out with a very slow, solemn, yet powerful version of "Days of Elijah." johnathan preached a confident sermon out of joshua, and kendra sang a song. all of these were things that no doubt had dr. falwell looking down and smiling.

after the service they had all the members line the streets for the bringing of dr. falwell's casket to TRBC. i knew a lot of you would appreciate pics, so here's the link:

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/vie ... id=8960894

[PAmedic]

thanks so much- great job

looks like a beautiful day on the mt- just the kind of day Jerry would have loved.

[krh44]

Thanks for the pics Bryson- I wanted to get there for church but a sunday school class that I had to teach.

[bucksweepjax]

Nice job. Thanks Bryson.

[jcmanson]

I was able to stop by yesterday. A very surreal atmosphere. The line was out of the main door to the church, but it only took about 20-30 minutes to go through. The group of people in front of me were very loud and talkative the whole time, until we reached the sanctuary. Then you could hear a pin drop.

[thesportscritic]

I went yesterday evening. Just unreal feeling when i saw the body. But he is with the Lord.