Enquirer wire services

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. - They came by the thousands all through the night, into the morning and late into the next night.

Undeterred by long lines and crowded buses, 60,000 or more Americans - veterans and children, moms and grandfathers, Republicans and Democrats - waited hours just to shuffle past former President Ronald Reagan's casket.

The public response was so overwhelming that officials at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library here extended the viewing period by four hours Tuesday.

"If they told us to stay out all night and all day tomorrow, I'd have done it," said Mike Foster, 42.

Still wearing his United Rentals uniform, the Simi Valley resident left work early, gathered his two fuzzy-headed sons and skipped dinner to go see Reagan's flag-draped coffin Monday.

After more than four hours of waiting, the Fosters finally got their chance, spending less than five minutes walking around the 40th president's casket at about 10 p.m.

"They may not appreciate it now," Foster said, motioning to tired and hungry sons Jake, 13 and Cody, 9. "But they will when they get older."

Veterans pay tribute

Testament to Reagan's legacy could be found in the long lines of Californians and others here to pay their final respects.

Veterans said they wanted to show their respect for a commander-in-chief who helped rebuild the military.

"He improved our (military) environment for eight years," David Terrell, 58, said after spending more than three hours in line.

Chance to see history

Others said regardless of Reagan's politics, his life and passing were important historical markers.

"When are you going to see something like this again?" asked Brandon Crownover, who stood in line 31/2 hours with wife Sarah and 11-year-old twins Maddy and Vickie. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Beginning Wednesday night, Americans on the East Coast will have their opportunity.

The president's coffin is scheduled to arrive at the Capitol today. It will lie in state for all the public to see from tonight until Thursday night, before the state funeral in the National Cathedral Friday.

There may be something else compelling Americans to turn out in droves to pay their respects to Reagan, said Mary Stuckey, an associate professor of political science and communication at Georgia State University.

During these troubled times, America may be in need of a hero, she said.

"One of the things Reagan offered - whether you agreed with him or not - was a very clear and simple vision of the world," Stuckey said.

"Now we're in a time when the world is very clearly messy."