MGJR Volume 5 2015 | Page 21

Marion Barry was so popular in D.C., despite his foibles, that when he died the funeral was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

sense of commitment and loyalty. He instilled in me, as he did in many so many others, a sense of duty to get the story right without all jokes about his shortcomings.

It was sunset when I arrived to the gates of Congressional Cemetery. The District streets were minutes from becoming completely dark. As the hearse arrived at the cemetery, people began to clap.

A line of police cars came first. The official city vehicles followed and finally the hearse. A woman yelled “We love you Marion Barry,” and then a man yelled, ”I have nothing but love for you Mayor Barry.”

The gate was then closed. It was a private burial. My access to Marion Barry was over. He couldn’t signal for me to come anymore. There was an empty feeling. I cried. Then I walked to my van and tapped out one last feed.