There were a lot of tears, before, during and after the service.
"I’ve served longer with Senator Inouye than any other United States Senator," said Senator Patrick Leahy, (D) President Pro Tempore. "He’s a close and dear friend and I just wanted to come and say goodbye one more time. I miss him so terribly much."
And that sentiment echoed through the crowd.
A final chance to bid farewell to the man who was a colleague, a mentor, and a friend.
"This is the only way we can actually say goodbye, aloha to him so it’s very important to be here," said Rep. Colleen Hanabuasa, (D) Hawaii.
Nearly a dozen US Senators and Representatives flew out to Hawaii this weekend specifically to attend Senator Daniel Inouye’s service at Punchbowl.
"I think its beautiful that the last message that the senator had for all of us was aloha and that meant – love, persevere, carry on because we can do it," said Rep. Mazie Hirono, (D) Hawaii Senator-elect.
With Senator Inouye’s passing, Senator Leahy of Vermont is now the new Senior Senator.
"Not the way I wanted to take the position, I always preferred him being sworn in as president pro tem, its pretty humbling," said Leahy
And now, following in the footsteps of a man he admired.
"Every senator, every senator, republican or democrat loved him," said Leahy. "A good man and a senator in all capitol letters, not all senators achieve that."
It was a quick trip for many of the congressional leaders who attended today’s service. Most left for Washington DC Sunday afternoon.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
