Wednesday: Live TV coverage of Margaret Thatcher funeral

Update: Lady Thatcher's funeral is being broadcast live on C-SPAN 2.

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I will be watching the funeral of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.  There is British television coverage and coverage in the U.S. begins at 6:00 a.m.  Or you can watch it live online on bbcnews.com at 4:55 a.m. eastern time, or on C-Span at 4:15 PM (not live).

Here's more information about tomorrow's coverage.

George W. Bush and Tony Blair could reunite at Margaret Thatcher's funeral

Margaret Thatcher's funeral in London on Wednesday could present the opportunity for former allies George W. Bush and Tony Blair to reunite. All former U.S. presidents were invited to the funeral.

Mrs. Thatcher's death last week prompted President Bush to praise the former Prime Minister as an inspiration leader who "stood on principle and guided er nation with confidence and clarity."

The war on terrorism brought President Bush and Prime Minister Blair together as they formed an alliance and friendship:

Blair and Bush formed a strong alliance over their decision to launch the invasion of Iraq ten years ago, much to the dismay of many on the left in Britain given the Republican president's conservative views.

On Monday, a pre-dawn rehearsal for the Wednesday funeral was held in the streets of London.

See previous post: Margaret Thatcher, 1925-2013: Ronald Reagan's ally and America's friend.

Funerals....

Funerals are a necessary part of life yet they never get easier for me. I have lost my father, my grandparents, a good friend who was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 18, aunts, uncles, and many others throughout the years....

A family loss this week brought us to Richmond yet again ... Powhatan, specifically ... to bury my husband's brother on Saturday.

Childhood friends that had grown up with my husband and his siblings were there ... others were old friends when they were young adults ... as well as family and co-workers.

If there is a positive side to funerals, it is the reconnecting of people at such an event.

A number of children, the tiniest only five days up to 14 years old, were at the service ... a reinforcement of the circle of life. The procession of vehicles driving to the cemetery was escorted by Chesterfield police officers which was a familiar sight ... God bless them for the job they did blocking intersections as the motorcade made its way to the cemetery.

At the Powhatan County line the Chesterfield officers turned back while the Powhatan officers took over. As we passed each major intersection, patrol cars were blocking traffic while officers stood on the roadway respectfully at parade rest until the last vehicle had passed. Oncoming cars pulled off to the side of the road as the motorcade with bright lights and emergency flashers turned into the church cemetery.

Meeting two of my husband's childhood friends -- they had grown up together on the same rural road in Powhatan -- was a treat and we lingered in the church yard talking long after others had left.

They were kindred spirits in the political realm as we discussed the McCain election, Sarah Palin, politics in Virginia, and the war. Others were anxious to talk about how excited they were to have Sarah Palin on the ticket, how much they liked that she was down-to-earth, and for a couple of people she had actually swayed their vote into the McCain camp.

Funerals and politics ... life passages that are part of our journey....

President Bush speaks at Tony Snow's funeral

"We loved him a lot."

Those were the words of President George W. Bush at Thursday's funeral for former White House press secretary Tony Snow. Friends, colleagues, and political associates joined together to say good-bye.

One of the original Fox News anchors who stayed with the network for ten years until asked by President Bush to join his White House, Tony Snow was well thought of as a man of goodness, faith, and family.

As reported by Fox News:

Bush was accompanied to the funeral on the campus of Catholic University by some familiar faces from earlier in his presidency, including former top adviser Karl Rove and one-time chief of staff Andrew Card. Row after row at the shrine was packed with family members and friends and associates, including White House correspondents.
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A somber Bush had a special message for Snow's three children — Kendall, Robbie and Kristi. In a particularly poignant moment, he talked directly to them, noting he'd often called their father on the weekend seeking his advice, and just as often would find that he was helping his kids with homework or cheering them on the soccer field.

"He loved you a lot," Bush told the three children. "I hope you know we loved him a lot, too."

The way a person is remembered is a tribute ... or lack thereof ... of their life. Tony Snow was remembered as a well-loved man:

In a homily, the Very Rev. David M. O'Connell, president of Catholic University, told the mourners: "The measure of this man's life can be found in his character, in his optimism, in his joy and humor, in his courage, in his passion for what was good and right, and in his love for God and family and neighbor and country. Tony Snow did not need a long life for us to measure. It was, rather, we who needed his life to be longer."

Tony Snow ... 1955-2008.