Thousands Expected To Pay Final Respects To Former First Lady Nancy Reagan
SIMI VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — Thousands of residents across Southern California will pay their final respects to former first lady Nancy Reagan on Wednesday.
At 10 a.m., Reagan's casket was transported in a motorcade from a Santa Monica funeral home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley. Eight U.S. Secret Service agents served as pallbearers.
Firefighters stood at attention as the motorcade passed by on the 118 Freeway.
The public has been welcomed to view her casket from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. Those who plan to pay their respects to Reagan will have to park at the former Bank of America property, located at 400 National Way and take a shuttle.
Authorities advised security will be tight. The public should not bring large bags, cameras or strollers.
Gifts and flowers will only be accepted at the bottom of Presidential Drive at the shuttle pickup location.
According to the foundation, the former first lady requested in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Ronald Reagan Memorial Fund.
On Sunday, Reagan passed away at her Bel Air home at the age of 94. A private funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday. She will be buried next to her husband at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, first lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, former first lady Rosalynn Carter, former President Lyndon Johnson's daughters, Luci and Lynda, and daughter of former President Richard Nixon, Tricia Nixon Cox, are planning to attend the service.
The library will remain closed to the general public until 10 a.m. Sunday.
(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)