Tucsonans lined the streets Friday morning to say farewell to U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords as she headed to a Houston rehab hospital - and their gesture did not go unnoticed by the woman they came out to honor.
Inside an ambulance that drove slowly from University Medical Center to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, paramedics rolled down a small window so Giffords could hear the applause of people outside, said her spokesman, C.J. Karamargin. When they did, Giffords smiled and began to tear up, Karamargin said.
"It was very emotional and very special," said Dr. Randall Friese, a UMC surgeon who also accompanied Giffords on the trip to Houston.
"I think she understood the immense support our city has for her," Friese said.
Karamargin said he was overwhelmed by the show of support.
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"We saw people on the back of pickup trucks, waving flags, blowing kisses," he said. "We saw senior citizens standing at salute or holding signs saying, 'Go Gabby Go.' "
Giffords has been making significant progress nearly every day in her recovery from being shot in the head Jan. 8 during a meet-and-greet with constituents. The attempted assassination left six people dead and 13 wounded. It prompted a visit to Tucson by President Obama that attracted more than 26,000 people, and thousands of Tucsonans have left cards, flowers, photos and keepsakes outside University Medical Center, Giffords' midtown office and the Safeway where the attack occurred.
On Friday, well-wishers started gathering outside D-M and at UMC before 8 a.m. The motorcade, led by Tucson police motorcycle officers, left the hospital at about 9:30 a.m.
Giffords' hometown send-off was carried live on TV and hundreds of people stood at various points along the motorcade's route.
Ray Davies, 82, a retired educator, was one of more than 100 people gathered outside UMC - some carried flowers, signs and cameras - to watch the motorcade pass.
He said the demonstration of support was more evidence of how the community has come together following the shooting rampage.
"I think it represents the very best of what America is all about, the compassion and understanding that we tolerate all beliefs," said Davies, who has volunteered for Giffords' congressional campaigns.
A Sahuaro High School special-education class was among those there to wish Giffords a safe trip. The class planned to drop off a poster of handwritten well-wishes for the congresswoman at the makeshift memorial outside the hospital. When their teacher, Carol Holly, heard Giffords was leaving, she adjusted her students' schedule in order to watch the motorcade.
"We wanted to come here because we brought a card for Gabby Giffords and we wanted to wish her a fast recovery," said Sofia Kerr, 22, one of Holly's students.
The motorcade was on the base about 9:40 a.m., and Giffords was on the medical jet by about 10 a.m. The jet lifted off shortly after that and landed in Houston just after noon, Tucson time.
To keep cabin pressure down during the flight, the pilot flew at 23,000 feet, instead of the normal 37,000, Karamargin said. There was only slight turbulence.
Doris Morris, 62, a bookkeeper, said a prayer on the corner of Swan and Golf Links roads before the start of the motorcade.
"I came to have a moment of prayer for her recovery and for all of us to find a way to have more civil dialogue," she said after her morning jog nearby.
Then 57-year-old Army veteran Yemaya Shimek arrived early for a spot outside the D-M gate.
"I'm a veteran and I respect all the work she has done and hopefully she will be able to do more," she said.
Retired editor Alan Sorkowitz, 58, stood outside D-M, awaiting a glimpse of Giffords' ambulance.
"Gabby Giffords is everything anyone could want from a representative," he said. "Even when I didn't agree with her, she always listened. She is a decent, caring human being."
Sorkowitz held up a sign that read: "Take care of her Houston - Come home to us soon Gabby."
Evangelina Rios, 63, a retired teacher, said she has followed Giffords' political career and is impressed because she "is so good about doing what is best for the people."
"I visited the memorials at Safeway and at UMC, and I left a giant red heart at both.
"I came to say goodbye to Gabby, and I hope she will be back," Rios said, wiping a tear.
The emotional sendoff was a balm that soothed not only Giffords but also her family and her staff, which lost a colleague in the shootings.
"It was just an astounding morning," Giffords spokesman Karamargin said. "It was indescribable.
"It was Tucson at its best."
Also: multimedia related to the Giffords shootings »»
Jan. 8, 2011
- Rep. Giffords shot, judge and 5 others killed at Tucson event
- Man linked to Giffords shooting rampage called 'very disturbed'
- Witness: Gunman 'was going for the congresswoman'
- Live updates from Giffords press conference
- Officials ID slain Giffords staffer
- Red Cross makes plea for blood following shooting
- Dupnik: Gunman made previous 'threats of death' but not against Giffords
- Remarks by President Obama on the shootings
- Sheriff corrects last name of retiree killed in rampage
- Second Saturdays canceled tonight
- Intersection of Ina and Oracle reopens after shooting
- Tucson retiree was killed at the Giffords event, friends say
- What was in his head? YouTube reveals grievances on currencies, grammar, religion, Constitution
- Vigil for Giffords, other shooting victims
Jan. 9, 2011
- Judge Roll, girl, 3 retirees, aide slain in attack on congresswoman
- A man of faith and devoted to rule of law
- Sheriff's office: 4 people stopped gunman
- Born, died between 2 tragedies
- Tucson girl, 9, killed in rampage, identified
- Giffords' medical condition called 'very precarious'
- 5 federal charges filed against Loughner in Giffords shootings
- Retired couple were in line of fire; he's dead, she's wounded
- Aide had gift for working with people
- Doc was feet from Giffords, aided others in 'surreal' scene
- 'It was clear who (gunman) was going for,' witness says
- Daniel Hernandez, intern, stays by Giffords' side
- Mourners gather by noon at Giffords' Tucson office
- Josh Brodesky: Perhaps now we can come together
- Officials express shock, support for Giffords
- Dupnik: Suspect is mentally unstable
- Red Cross pleads for blood after shootings
- McKale idle after shootings
- House delaying repeal vote on new health-overhaul law
- Authorities clear man called 'person of interest' in Giffords shooting case
- Coverage from around the world
- Giffords shooting: TUSD superintendent's letter to staff
- Gun used in shooting spree bought at Tucson store
- Fitz: Light a candle
Jan. 10, 2011
- Doctors: Rep. Giffords, other shooting victims continue to improve
- Five federal charges filed against Loughner in shooting
- Four Tucsonans stopped gunman: Ordinary citizens became heroes
- Giffords can squeeze hand, hold up fingers
- Giffords' husband offers his gratitude
- Morrises, shot at shopping center gathering, 'were totally in love'
- Shooting leaves NASA stunned
- Shooting victim made quilts, volunteered
- Slaying victims had diverse backgrounds
- Suspect faced no legal barrier to buying gun at local store
- Congress' security tightens; members, families, staff are briefed
- Tucsonans gather to mourn, pray for victims
- 911 callers describe frantic shooting scene
- Bloodshed could have chilling effect on forums
- Slain girl's family - rooted in baseball - gets teams' support
- 'Unabomber' lawyer sought for Tucson gunman
- At the Courthouse: Hero and Mom discuss Saturday's event
- Brewer speech focused on Tucson shooting victims (full text)
- Giffords' husband releases first statement since shooting
- LaWall considers state charges in Tucson shooting spree case
- No bail for shooting spree suspect
- Obama leads moment of silence for Tucson shooting victims
- Pueblo Politics: Kelly cancels Saturday announcement
- Pueblo Politics: Obama talks to families affected by tragedy
- Teddy bears, ribbons adorn young shooting victim's school
- UA: Counseling is available after Saturday's shootings
- Editorial: Let's step back, as Giffords asked
Jan. 11, 2011
- Dupnik's remarks stir political debate
- He credits military training in his role in day's heroics
- Giffords' status unchanged, a favorable sign
- Lawmakers see more security but want to remain accessible
- Obamas coming here for tribute
- Suspect's erratic past telling, experts say
- Expired law banned 31-round magazines
- How is 'incapacity' handled by Congress?
- Mesa Verde students mourn Christina-Taylor Green, 9
- Christina-Taylor Green memorial fund announced
- Loughner, at US hearing in Phoenix, ordered held
- Neighbor: Loughner's parents devastated
- Shooting victims' kin speak out
- State lawmakers push law to block Tucson funeral protests
- Tucson Health: Free state hotline set up for grief counseling
- Tucson Health: Progress website on Giffords' aide
- University of Arizona: Obamas to be at Tucson memorial event Wednesday
- Editorial: It's logical to try to make sense of such horror
- Fitz: Arizona
Jan. 12, 2011
- In an instant, crisis united shopper, aide
- Local 'Angels' group, new AZ law seek to shelter funeral goers from protests
- Loughner's family: Mysteries remain
- President Obama arrives at UMC
- Sales of guns, including Glocks, soar across US
- UMC's Level 1 trauma expands to fill need
- Update: Giffords more responsive less sedated, doc says
- Announced funeral services for the shooting victims
- Giffords' constituents can call Grijalva's office
- In UMC visit, Brewer praises docs' efforts, patients' 'resiliency'
- 3 UMC workers fired for records access
- Church won't protest funerals, school
- Funeral services for shooting victims
- Loughner stopped for running red light hours before attack
- Loughner's parents: 'We don't understand why this happened'
- Pueblo Politics: Grijalva takes over Giffords' constituent work
- Pueblo Politics: House to consider resolution honoring Giffords
- Pueblo Politics: Poll finds most Americans don’t blame shooting on political tone
- Spokesman: Recovery of wounded Giffords' staffer, Ron Barber, going well
- Tucson bishop leads Mass to remember shooting victims
- Victims remembered at Mass
- Editorial: Note to Obamas: Despite tragedy, this is a good town
- Fitz: Gabby
Jan. 13, 2011
- Christina-Taylor made "powerful" difference, mourners told
- 'What matters is not wealth, or status, or power or fame, but how well we have loved'
- 3 UMC workers fired for invading records
- Full text of President Obama's prepared speech
- Giffords' doctor: 'We're very happy at this point'
- Giffords' way: pragmatic service
- Healing words of president a balm to the brokenhearted
- Loughner's contacts with cops
- Memorial fund will honor shooting victim
- Enjoy the journey: Tragedies 40 years apart have same chilling effect
- Found bag containing ammo linked to Tucson shooting suspect
- Calif. judge will handle Loughner's federal case
- Church gives up protest plans, gets radio airtime
- Lawmaker carrying her gun into Senate
- Odd antics at PCC viewed with growing alarm
- UA law college scholarship set up in Roll's name
- Editorial: Obama implores us to open our eyes
- Christina-Taylor liked sports, music, public service
- Fitz: A nation grieves
Jan. 14, 2011
- Hundreds attend Judge Roll's funeral
- Thousands mourn youngest who died
- 'Angels,' bikers help protect girl's funeral
- Giffords making 'all the right moves'
- Reluctant hero can finally sleep
- Safeway starts fund to aid shooting victims
- Vigils for victims of shootings
- Volunteers help city try to heal, one bell at a time
- 2 funds set up in memory of aide
- Shooting victim Barber visits UMC memorial
- Audio: 911 calls about the shooting spree
- Audio: sheriff's radio traffic after Giffords shooting
- Bill would restrict high-load magazines
- Deputies release items found on Loughner after shooting
- Bill would ban gun magazines with more than 10 rounds
- Monks craft a custom casket for Christina
- Retiree shot in the arm he used to shield wife's head from bullets
- Safeway establishes fund for Tucson shooting victims
- Updated: Memorial funds, benefits and hotlines for victims and their families
- Obama's remarks hailed
- Roll was dedicated to family, faith and the law; funeral Mass today
- Editorial: Stop for a moment, before you say it
- This is a time to unify,make peace, build bridges
- Fitz: In memory
Jan. 15, 2011
- Expert: Loughner fit bill for evaluation
- Safeway store, site of mass shooting, reopens
- Funeral Sunday
- Giffords makes 'encouraging' progress
- Loughner's friends, teachers tell of descent into madness
- NBC anchor Williams' 'indelible images' of Tucson
- Roll is laid to rest: 'Papa is in heaven'
- Sheriff's timeline shows Loughner's moves before shootings
- Survivors recall details of shooting
- Over a dozen local officials pledge to quit political vitriol
- Shot twice, Giffords aide stays upbeat
- Arizona allows adults to get court-ordered psychiatric help for anyone
- Eyewitness accounts of wounded victims
- Gunshot victim drove himself to the hospital
- Loughner's activities day of shooting released
- Transcript of Loughner's Sept. 23 video
- Editorial: Get well soon , Gabby: We need your quiet, moderate voice more than ever
- Fitz: Sheriff Dupnik
- Phyllis Schneck, devoted to her family and church
Jan. 16, 2011
- Aide arrived early to make sure event was set to go
- Brewer, key leaders see no reason to curb high-capacity ammo clips
- Busy retiree used free day to meet rep she admired
- Concerned pair had some questions for their US rep
- He wanted to say thanks to Giffords for border work
- Here's short look at some of those who were wounded in the attack
- Josh Brodesky: 3 of the slain had less notice but were loved dearly as well
- Jurist went by to greet, thank his old friend Gabby
- Man who helped restrain Loughner carried a gun
- Memorial funds set up for victims and families
- One awful instant
- Paramedic: 'It was chaos ... my mind went blank'
- Safeway reopens with silent moment
- Schneck's life of service recalled
- Shooting victim held in alleged threat at forum
- The Scoop: They all came: Brian Williams, Katie Couric, etc.
- Third-grader started day snuggling with mom
- Those at the scene share stories
- Political notebook: On edges of tragedy, a ring tone sounds right note
- Neto's Tucson: Even as a child, Daniel Hernandez was calm, poised
- Editorial: After tragedy, let kids know: 'We're in this together'
- Mental-health care is the true insanity
- Public mood has always played a role in violence
- Readers share thoughts about gun control, mental illness, a gentler world
- Fitz: Again and again and again
- Dorwan 'Dory' Stoddard lent skills to those in need
Jan. 17, 2011
Jan. 18, 2011
Jan. 19, 2011
- Kelly: Giffords' commitment is unshakable
- Shrines pop up across city in colorful displays of caring
- Giffords worker relives day of shooting
- Giffords will move to Houston rehab hospital, likely on Friday
- Giffords' husband: She'll return to Congress 'stronger, more committed'
- Loughner indicted on charges of trying to kill Giffords, two aides
- Pima Sheriff's official: Video shows Giffords shot in face
- Fitz: What Arizona can afford
Jan. 20, 2011
Jan. 21, 2011
Jan. 22, 2011
Jan. 23, 2011
Jan. 27, 2011