N.J. says goodbye to Lautenberg

SECAUCUS, N.J. - New Jersey bid farewell to Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a strong advocate for the state's public transportation system, Wednesday afternoon with a brief ceremony at the train station that bears his name.

Family and dignitaries, including Gov. Christie, gathered at the upper rotunda of the Frank R. Lautenberg Secaucus Rail Station, as police played "Taps" and "God Bless America" on bagpipes.

Lautenberg, a five-time Democratic senator, died Monday of complications from viral pneumonia. He was 89.

Rabbi Dan Cohen, who served Lautenberg's congregation in South Orange, N.J., called the late senator a "true American patriot" who was the "embodiment of all that is great about New Jersey."

"Standing here in his home state, we acknowledge a son of New Jersey," Cohen said.

Police then led a procession to Track 3, where Lautenberg's casket - draped in an American flag - was loaded onto an Acela Express train to Washington. His family then boarded the train around 4 p.m.

The ceremony followed a funeral service in New York, where fellow New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, Vice President Biden, Hillary Clinton and others eulogized Lautenberg.

A World War II veteran, Lautenberg will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery on Friday.