Nancy Reagan touches her cheek to the flag-covered casket, leading the nation into a week of mourning and tributes to former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Photo by cnn.com
Thousands of Americans have paid their respects Tuesday to Ronald Reagan, the nation's 40th president, one day after his family attended a brief prayer service at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Clad in a black suit and white pearls, Nancy Reagan rested her cheek briefly on the casket, a poignant gesture to her husband of 52 years. The former first lady appeared in public for the first time since Reagan died Saturday of complications from Alzheimer's disease. The poignant moment came as America launched a five-day series of ceremonies honouring Reagan with the arrival of his remains at his presidential library where he will "lie in repose" for two days.