Idahoans will have a chance to pay their respects to former Gov. Cecil Andrus Wednesday at the state capitol. Andrus died last week at the age of 85.
Although the Boise funeral service is closed to the public, people will get a chance to honor Andrus during a public lying in state ceremony at the statehouse. Andrus’ casket will arrive 10 minutes before noon Wednesday, followed by the 19 gun salute at Capitol Park, right across from the statehouse on Jefferson. The street will be closed during this time.
An honor guard of Army and Air National Guardsmen, along with Idaho State Police officers, will set the casket on the first floor rotunda. The guards will rotate watch over the governor for 24 hours.
Current Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter will then speak briefly, followed by former Gov. Phil Batt. The Republican was a close friend of Andrus, a Democrat.
The last time a formal lying in state ceremony took place was in 2014, after Governor John Evans died. In 2013, former Secretary of State Pete Cenarrusa was honored as well.
The statehouse will close at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, and will reopen at 7:00 a.m. Thursday to complete the public ceremony.
Find reporter Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill
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