Crowd Beginning To Gather Outside Kennedy Compound

By Steve Brown (@WBURSteve)
Aug 26, 2009, 6:26 AM
14 Comments

Barnstable Police stand guard at the end of Sen. Kennedy's street in Hyannisport early Tuesday morning. (Steve Brown/WBUR)

Barnstable Police stand guard at the end of Sen. Kennedy's street in Hyannisport on Wednesday. (Steve Brown/WBUR)

HYANNISPORT, Mass. — Barnstable police are used to closing off roads here in this Hyannisport neighborhood. They’ve been doing it for close to 50 years, ever since John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960. But there was a sense on Wednesday morning that it may be one of the last times all eyes focus on the Kennedy compound.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy died at his home overnight, after battling a malignant brain tumor. He was surrounded by members of his family, including his wife Victoria, sons Teddy and Patrick and daughter Kara. Sen. Kennedy was 77.

The flag at the compound was flying at half-mast by early morning.

No sooner had word of the senator’s death been received, a crush of network and Boston TV news crews gathered at the end of Marchant Ave., a few hundred yards from Sen. Kennedy’s home. Network satellite trucks had been in the area anticipating the senator’s passing, and were in place within hours after his death.

Most neighbors remained sleeping, although a few came out to see what the commotion was all about, realizing the senator had passed before even having to ask. A mini-van with the word “hearse” blacked out on the license plate was seen leaving the area around 3:00 a.m.

Well-wishers also began to arrive later in the morning, in the hopes of paying tribute to the senator.

Anna Griswold brought flowers and a balloon to the Hyannisport neighborhood. (Steve Brown/WBUR)

Anna Griswold, of Centerville, arrived with flowers and a balloon. “I brought a balloon just because I think that these flowers might get lost in a sea of other flowers, so I thought if I brought a balloon it would kind of pop out,” Griswold said. “And I brought a thank you note. Not a condolence card, but a thank you note to thank the senator for all he’s done.”

A few miles away, at the Kennedy Museum in downtown Hyannis, condolence books had been made available for visitors to sign.

No word as of yet as to funeral plans. It’s not known if the funeral will be held here on the Cape, in Boston or in Washington, D.C., where he served in the U.S. Senate since 1963.

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Tobias Kahan

I am terribly sad. An end of an era.. A giant has gone.
http://www.mckinleyconsults.com Dennis McKinley

Ted’s life is the ultimate example of a determination to lead. He would not let the terrible family tragedies and his own personal failings to defeat him. This is courage of the highest order. Thank you, Senator Kennedy, and many thanks to your family.
MSgt Donna Galmore

My heart is heavy with the Kennedy family my prayer for their peace and protection now that Teddy is gone
Psalm 9:11
continued Peace and Blessings to the family
Barbie Supkow

Mr. Kennedy, you are truly a legend. Your humanity for people and all that you have done for your country will always be appreciated and treasured. May you rest in sweet peace.
http://facebook james franklin St Albans England

so so sorry to hear this news when i awoke this morning. a great mediator in politics and if it wasnt for misfortune would have become a great President…
MARY GABOURY

TO THE YOUNG KENNEDYS PLEASE TAKE A STEP IN YOUR OLDER FAMILYS DIRECTION.
DEAR GOD,
I KNOW WE PRAY FOR YOUR CARE AND COMFORT FOR THE FAMILY OF YOUR LOYAL AND LOVING SON EDWARD KENNEDY. LORD MAY THE GATES OF HEAVEN BRING HIM HOME WITH ALL THE ANGELS WATCHING. THE MUSIC PLAYING AND A WONDERFUL PLACE AT SEA AND A SHIP TO RIDE IN YOUR OCEANS OF HEAVEN. FOREVER IN PEACE. DEAR LORD WE PRAY.
AMEN
Inalda

Mr. Kennedy, God bless you.I’m so sorry!
Susan Beers

GOD BLESS THE KENNEDY FAMILY, MY HEART AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.
barbara e. johnson

Thank you, Senator Kennedy, for your fierce compassion shown in your unending fight to help the common man and woman, and your humility. Bless you for demonstrating that in loving others and in holding fast to truth we realize our true selves.
http://windowslive Diane Neal

It is with a heavy heart that we see the end of an era. The Kennedy legacy of All that is American has come to an end. I will be afraid of the future and who then will lead us. To the Kennedy family my deepest regrets.
Fred Patterson

I was 14 when John was elected and I saw the best of dreams and promises shattered by the assassins of two of their family members. I saw a little boy salute a casket as it passed by and I saw that child mourned as his casket was drawn to it’s final service. I saw an Uncle bleed on a floor in California. I saw Joe SR suffer through those tragic losses, along with his wonderful wife.

Teddy also saw and felt the anguish of life but carried on with courage and unyielding vigor. He fought to the end to help so many and when he needed help himself, there was nothing he could do. He was one of the most unselfish of men in US History, coming from an unselfish family. We all need to thank the Kennedy’s for all they did and tried to do for people who could not do for themselves.

Teddy, God waited for quite awhile to greet you into his rhelm and I’m sure he will find a place for you there. Perhaps, you, your brothers, sister, Mom and Dad will work with God, to make heaven a better place, if that’s possible now..

Thank you, to all of the Kennedy’s, for the fine struggle you have inspired us to carry on.
Rosalind Fultz

My deepest sympathy is extended to Mrs. Victoria Kennedy and to the entire Kennedy family, along with all of the Senator’s friends and constituents in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I am a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and feel like a constituent of the Senator, due to all of his wonderful service to the nation. Although I am recovering from a broken ankle and was not able to attend the monthly meeting of the Cincinnati Branch of the NAACP, my father did. He told me that this evening’s meeting included two mintues of silence in tribute to Senator Kennedy. This was a patriotic and spiriutal expression of grief and gratitude upon the passing of a compassionate leader who cared about all Americans. I am certain that similar expressions are being made throughout the nation and the world, by groups and individuals famous and obscure, who all share the sorrow of Senator Kennedy’s passing.
brandon tankersley

how sad, just yesterday barbara johnson comments on kennedy’s death in this section… now it’s her death we mourn…
http://n/a Rudy Pena

Iam sorry that Mr. Kennedy Pased away But know he is with the Angels up above . God Bless the Kennedy Family Take care Rudy Pena