PORT TOWNSEND — Martha Krabill, the 2001 Port Townsend High School graduate whose singing talent landed her in the 82nd Airborne Band, was part of the chorus which sang at President Reagan’s funeral in Washington National Cathedral on Friday.
“She said they were all in tears when it was over,” Martha’s mother, Anne Krabill said.
“It was very, very moving.”
Krabill, 20, was chosen this spring to be a member of the U.S. Army Chorale, which in turn was part of the Armed Forces Chorus that sang at the state funeral.
The singers were seated directly behind the orchestra, her mother said, and performed several times, including the “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Mansions of the Lord.”
Krabill told her mother that she had a wonderful view of the service, and was close enough to notice the moment at the end when former first lady Nancy Reagan started to reach out to touch her husband’s casket as it was carried out.
“It was just a small gesture, but brought home to all of them how much she loved him,” Anne Krabill said.
“Martha said they all lost it at that point, and that is was a good thing they had almost finished singing.”
