Thousands Mourn Missouri Governor

Slow, steady drum beats announced Missouri's final farewell for Mel Carnahan, the governor who died while seeking Harry Truman's former U.S. Senate seat.

Carnahan's daughter, Robin, recalled her father's admonition on cold winter mornings about keeping wood on the fire. “Dad, I promise we won't let the fire go out,” she said, her voice wavering slightly.

More than 10,000 mourners - President Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton among them - attended. Many of them marched solemnly around the Missouri Capitol, leading to emotional ceremonies unprecedented in state history.

“I loved the guy, and anybody who thinks he was dull never looked him straight in the eye, because he had steel and passion and fire and I think he rather enjoyed being underestimated by the people who disagreed with him,” Mr. Clinton said.

“He was a leader in the very best way,” said the president, who entered the White House in the same election Carnahan won the governor's office. “Yes, he was a leader like Harry Truman. He spoke the plain truth.”

Mr. Clinton talked of walking behind the casket and a riderless horse and said, “In a way it was gratifying that our friend Mel died in the saddle with his boots on, fighting for the causes he championed.”

In his lapel, Mr. Clinton wore a straight arrow pin with a black ribbon; the pin was a symbol of the Carnahan administration and high ethical standards.

“We'll miss you Mel. We'll try to take up the slack, but we will never have another one like you,” he said.

In his opening prayer, the Rev. Emanuel Cleaver, former mayor of Kansas City and a close friend of Carnahan, said: “We have not come here to canonize our governor, but rather to rededicate ourselves to state building.”

Cleaver declared: “The name Carnahan will remain precious in our memory.” Then he led several thousand mourners standing under bright blue skies in the Lord's Prayer.

Missouri Supreme Court Judge Mike Wolff, Carnahan's appointee and his former legal counsel, spoke of Carnahan's legacy of achievement and dedication to public service. And he said it was done more with dedication than flamboyance.

“His idea of fun was going back to work,” Wolff said. “Mel Carnahan was a very private man, more inclined to discuss issues rather than himself.”

“The tougher the issue the more he liked it,” Wolff said. “He was a good governor.”

Carnahan's son, Russ Carnahan, recalled that his father could wake up anywhere while flying over Missouri and knew where he was by looking at the landscape below.

He recalled that for his father's last visit to Russ' St. Louis home, the governor ordered Chinese food delivered so he could spend more time with family, playing catch in the backard with his two grandsons.

“As governor he carried the hopes and dreams of so many Missourians,” he said. “Dad we love you. We will remember your example ... we will honor your legacy.”

The riderless black horse, the boots turned backwards in the stirrups, symbol of a fallen warrior, joined the processional from the Governor's Mansion to the Capitol grounds.

Carnahan's widow, Jean, linked hands with her sons Russ and Tom, daughter Robin, daughter-in-law Debra and grandsons Austin and Andrew. The family led the processional's slow steps.

As the service ended, Jean Carnahan and her family walked to the casket, stood silently in prayer, and then laid long-stemmed red roses on top of the American flag.

Then the honor guard took the casket back to the waiting caisson, led by a bagpiper playing the mournful notes of Amazing Grace.

Scores of red, white and blue balloons were released into the sky, floating over the Missouri River, north of the Capitol.

The caisson with the casket slowly moved back to the mansion, up the driveway as fall leaves dropped on those below.

The procession had started at the mansion, with the Carnahan family, the Clintons, Gov. Roger Wilson and his wife, Pat, and Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper.

“Mel Carnahan loved children. It's that simple,” said Wilson, who ascended to office after Carnahan's death.

Then Wilson paused and praised Jean Carnahan, calling her “the best partner anyone could have.” The audience of thousands rose in an ovation for the first lady whose composure has been notable.

“I would ask that you say a prayer for Mel and his family and the Sifford family,” Wilson said. “And say a prayer for Missouri without him.”

The children's choir of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City then sang Jesus Loves Me. As they sang, many in the audience sobbed.

There were full military honors for Carnahan, an Air Force veteran and Missouri's commander in chief, including the National Guard's rumbling cannon salute, the playing of Taps and a lone bagpiper's wail of Amazing Grace.

Four F-15s flew in a “V” formation over the Capitol, then one peeled away, representing the missing man.

“This week has been one of the most painful weeks in the history of Missouri,” said former U.S. Sen. Tom Eagleton. “We have lost a man whose qualities are increasingly rare in public life.”

Eagleton also eulogized the governor's oldest son, Roger Carnahan, known as Randy, who was flying the small plane that crashed Monday night, and long-time Carnahan adviser Chris Sifford, the crash's third victim.

As the service started on the Capitol's south side, Jean Carnahan, who had been holding hands with her eldest grandson Austin, hugged him, then took his and again. Grandmother and grandson led the family down a red carpet to its seats.

As the St. Louis Symphony String Quartet played Londonderry Air the casket was moved by an honor guard from the caisson to a marble platform. Spectators stood and watched the casket moving to the platform, many wiping tears and sobbing.

Missouri's 51st governor is to be buried on Saturday afternoon in a rural Ozarks cemetery along with Roger Carnahan, whose services will be held earlier Saturday. Services are Sunday in Puxico for Sifford.

Outdoor seating for about 2,000 spectators was arranged around the Statehouse, while thousands more crowded the lawn for the farewell.

Carnahan, 66, started his career as municipal judge in Rolla, then won a state House seat. He practiced law, but got back into politics with a 1980 victory for state treasurer. Carnahan later served as lieutenant governor for four years before winning back-to-back terms as governor in 1992 and 1996.

The crash happened in rain and fog as Carnahan, his son and Sifford tried to reach a Senate campaign event in southeast Missouri.

The memorial service brought the state a step closer to emotional closure, after days of shock, sadness and tears.