YORBA LINDA – Chris Cox remembers the thunderstorm and hail that greeted him as he arrived at the funeral of his grandfather, President Richard Nixon.
More than 50,000 people lined up on Yorba Linda Boulevard through the uncharacteristically dreary weather for Southern California to say farewell to the United States’ 37th President.
“I just think that the drama of that weather reflected the emotions that many people were feeling,” Cox said.
Nixon died 20 years ago today, and the Richard Nixon Foundation will commemorate his funeral in Yorba Linda on its anniversary this Sunday with a panel and a new exhibit illustrating the historic events of Nixon’s burial.
Speaking on the panel about Nixon’s impact on the nation and world will be former Gov. Pete Wilson, presidential historian Richard Norton Smith, political analyst Michael Barone, radio host Hugh Hewitt, and Nixon deputy special assistant Bruce Herschensohn.
Cox, 35, who lives in New York City, won’t be attending this week’s ceremonies because of travel plans. He still remembers the powerful impression that was left on him at 15 years old by seeing those who came to visit his grandfather’s flag-draped coffin.
“To me, it was very emotional to see those citizens come out and give their sympathy to the family and get one last look at my grandfather,” Cox said.
Ed Nixon, the youngest brother of the president, will travel from his home in Lynnwood, Wash., to visit the presidential library Sunday.
With five living presidents attending the funeral, the Secret Service’s security was so tight that Ed Nixon’s wife and daughter couldn’t sit with him in the front row. Ed Nixon said he was so overcome by emotion he stayed behind while others filed into the wake.
“Bill Clinton took me by the arm going into the library from the grave site,” he said.
Herschensohn said he will focus on Nixon’s life and legacy on Sunday instead of the funeral. Nixon’s writings and understanding of foreign policy and chiefs of state still impress Herschensohn today, he said.
He said it is important for those who lived around Nixon to share their memories while they’re still here. “There will be those days that everyone who was around is gone,” Herschensohn said.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3704 or dlanghorne@ocregister.com
