Kennedy Tributes to Mix Serious with Lighthearted
One look at the participants in tonight's "Celebration of Life" memorial service and tomorrow's funeral mass and it's obvious how much of a political giant Kennedy was.
President Obama delivering the eulogy tomorrow as former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush look on…. Speeches from Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass.; Orrin Hatch, R-Utah; Chris Dodd, D-Conn.; John McCain, R-Ariz... Kennedys, friends, family and colleagues packing the house.
And the speeches on behalf Kennedy are sure to be must-sees.
CBSNews.com Full Coverage: Ted Kennedy
Mr. Obama - the highest-profile speaker and someone who arguably owes his current job to Kennedy, whose timely endorsement in January 2008 gave Mr. Obama's campaign momentum when he needed it most - will give the eulogy at the funeral service Saturday morning.
A White House official tells CBS News that the president's eulogy "will be a personal message on the life of Senator Kennedy as a legislator, a mentor, a friend, a colleague and a family member; and the many ways he had an impact on the American people."
The official added that Mr. Obama's remarks will be "a larger, national goodbye from our president."
Meantime, tonight's memorial service will mix the serious with lighthearted moments.
"The memorial is a way for the people closest to Senator Kennedy to celebrate his life—with his love of music, laughter and stories with friends and family he adored," reads a press release from the organizers of the Kennedy arrangements.
There will no doubt be some emotional moments from Caroline Kennedy tonight and his son Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., tomorrow.
"The truth is no one should pretend for a minute that anything we could say tonight about how much we loved Teddy could ever equal a fraction of what Vicki and the family conveyed just walking into those crowds exchanging hugs and shaking hands with the thousands of people who came to say goodbye to our friend," Kerry told CBS News. "That's the most incredible outpouring of love and affection and devotion I've ever witnessed, and it was positively Kennedy."
"This week has been so bittersweet," Kerry continued. "Hard to keep our emotions in check as it sinks in that he's gone, but so sweet in the wonderful and rare way we've been given to say goodbye."
CBS News Special: Ted Kennedy - The Last Brother
Kerry added that writing his speech for tonight's memorial service has "been the best medicine for me ... even though it's impossible to sum up in a speech this man who was my teacher, my colleague, my friend, my partner, and the funniest person I've ever met at the same time that he was such a center and force for his family. One gesture after another, there was no end to his kindness, thoughtfulness or generosity of spirit, and I hope I can share a little of that for Teddy."
But with the likes of Kennedy buddies / raconteurs Sens. Chris Dodd and John McCain telling stories, laughs will also be plenty as well.
"After a while, we must have thought the distance between our desks too great for either of us to hear each other clearly or that the presence of the clerk transcribing our exchange had become too distracting," McCain will say.
"And as if we had both heard some secret signal, we set down our microphones simultaneously and walked briskly to the well of the floor, where we could continue in closer quarters, and in language perhaps too…familiar…to be recorded for posterity, which, regrettably was still audible enough to be overheard by a few reporters, who were now leaning over the railing of the press gallery trying to ascertain just what the hell was going on between McCain and Kennedy."
After their discussion ended, McCain continues, "When I next saw Ted, ambling down a Senate corridor, he was bellowing laughter, that infectious laugh of his that could wake the dead and cheer up the most beleaguered soul. He was good company. Excellent company. I think I'm going to miss him more than I can say."
"We disagreed on most issues. But I admired his passion for his convictions, his patience with the hard and sometimes dull work of legislating, and his uncanny sense for when differences could be bridged ... I think most of my colleagues would agree, the place won't be the same without him."
Read more stories on Sen. Kennedy's life and death at CBSNews.com:
Kennedy Mourners Bid Final Farewell
Kennedy's Catholicism: Loyal, Conflicted
Kennedy's Other "Family" Was Envy of Hill
Photo Essay: Mourning in Boston
Washington Unplugged: Politics of Massachusetts' Senate Seat
Steve Chaggaris is CBS News' Political Director. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here.