Many tell stories of Kennedy the advocate

BOSTON -- The weather was fair but the mood somber Friday as tens of thousands of mourners walked past the casket of Sen. Edward Kennedy, who lay in repose for a second day in a flag-draped casket at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Kennedy aide Melissa Wagoner said Boston police estimated that 50,000 people paid last respects since public viewing, which ended shortly after 3 p.m., began Thursday night. A private memorial service is scheduled for this evening.

Mourners at the public viewing were greeted by members of the Kennedy family, including 81-year-old Jean Kennedy Smith, the senator's sister and the last surviving Kennedy sibling. Smith, the former U.S. ambassador to Ireland, choked back tears.

"It's a wonderful tribute to Teddy and the lives that he touched," he said of the turnout.

To say goodbye to Kennedy, Sandra Regan came to stand on the steps of her childhood church, St. Stephen's, in the North End. She wanted to honor "everything he achieved in the Senate."

She said wanted to praise him for responding every time she wrote to him about an issue she cared about. And she wanted to say that, in her eyes, Kennedy, whose flaws were as well known in his life as his achievements, had been redeemed.

"He worked very hard to make up for all the mistakes he made as a foolish young man," she said, choking back tears. "And I think he did."

The motorcade bringing Kennedy's body to the viewing Thursday passed St. Stephen's during a three-hour journey that began on the shores of Nantucket Sound and ended at the library, on a point overlooking Boston Harbor. It paid homage to sites with special significance to the family, including St. Stephen's, where Kennedy's mother, Rose, was baptized and where her youngest son later eulogized her.

Along the 70-mile route, thousands of mourners applauded, snapped photos, held up signs that read "Thank you Ted," and wept. The motorcade paused at Faneuil Hall, where the historic bell rang 47 times, once for each year he served in the Senate.