Death and state funeral of Gerald Ford
Encyclopedia
On December 26, 2006, Gerald Ford
, the 38th President of the United States
, died at his home in Rancho Mirage
, California
, at 6:45 p.m. local time
(02:45, December 27, UTC). At 8:49 p.m. local time
, President Ford's wife of 58 years, Betty Ford
, issued a statement that confirmed his death: "My family joins me in sharing the difficult news that Gerald Ford, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather has died at 93 years of age. His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country." The causes of death listed on the subsequent death certificate were arteriosclerotic cerebrovascular disease
and diffuse arteriosclerosis
. President Ford's body was taken to Eisenhower Medical Center
where it remained until the start of state funeral services on December 29.
said in a written statement:
There were also tributes from other Americans, including the living former American presidents: Jimmy Carter
, George H. W. Bush
, and Bill Clinton
, as well as Ford's former Chief of Staff, Vice President
Dick Cheney
and former First Lady Nancy Reagan
.
Foreign leaders who paid tribute included Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
, Czech President Václav Klaus
and German President Horst Köhler
. Harper advised Governor General
Michaëlle Jean
to order all flag
s across Canada flown to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on January 2, 2007, in sympathy with the USA's national day of mourning
. In Great Britain, the Union Flag
at Buckingham Palace
was flown at half-staff on December 28.
Gregory Willard, President Ford's personal attorney and former White House aide, was responsible for the overall planning and conduct of the state funeral as President and Mrs. Ford and the Ford family's designated personal representative. The Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region
(JFHQ-NCR)/Military District of Washington
(MDW), which oversees the military and ceremonial portions of state funeral
s, assisted President Ford and the Ford family in development of the funeral plans.
Army Major General Guy C. Swan III
, Commanding General of the MDW (CG MDW) and JFHQ-NCR, was Betty Ford
's official escort throughout the State Funeral. A MDW civilian liaison for the Ford family provided advice to President and Mrs. Ford and the Ford family in planning the state funeral and accompanied the family throughout the state funeral.
The schedule for the state funeral was announced at a press briefing Wednesday afternoon December 27 in Palm Desert, California. The briefing was conducted by Gregory Willard. The briefing was also attended by Barbara Owens, spokesperson for MDW, and by the Riverside County Sheriff. A personal statement from Mrs. Betty Ford was read by Mr. Willard, and he announced details and answered media questions regarding the state funeral.
President and Mrs. Ford and their family previously chose to have the state funeral and related services conducted in three phases (Palm Desert, California; Washington, DC; Grand Rapids, Michigan
), with interment in a previously selected hillside crypt next to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
, in Grand Rapids, Michigan
. The services and ceremonies were conducted from December 29 through January 3. A large number of tributes and symbolic remembrances during the three phases highlighted President Ford's career of public service and his unique place in American history.
Columnist Peggy Noonan summarized the nation's heartfelt farewell, "Ford's was the most human of presidential funerals. Maybe because the Fords wanted so little done, so insisted on modesty, all that was done was genuine and sincere, and perfect."
The state funeral
service took place at the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, December 30, 2006, with further funeral services on January 2 at Washington National Cathedral
and on January 3 at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids. In addition, private services were conducted with Mrs. Ford and the family at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California, and at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mrs. Ford and her family also received approximately 300 invited guests at a December 29 visitation at St. Margaret's Church.
As a mark of honor, Ford's Casket was flown to Washington, and then on to Grand Rapids aboard the VC-25A Presidential Aircraft (29000), which normally serves as Air Force One. The hearse used to carry President Ford's casket flew the American Flag
and had the Presidential Seal
affixed to the sides.
Upon the death of Ford, the nation's flags were ordered flown at half staff for 30 days after the death. President George W. Bush
declared a national day of mourning
for President Ford on Tuesday, January 2, 2007, to mark the funeral service.
There were twenty honorary pallbearers for the services and ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and thirteen honorary pallbearers in Grand Rapids.
Richard DeVos, Richard Ford, and Martin J. Allen, Jr. were honorary pallbearers in both Washington and Grand Rapids and traveled with the Ford family aboard the Presidential Aircraft from Washington to Grand Rapids.
Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn accompanied Mrs. Ford and the Ford family aboard the Presidential Aircraft from Washington, DC to Grand Rapids. Former Vice President
Dick Cheney
and former Ford White House Chief of Staff and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld joined the Ford family in Grand Rapids for the funeral service at Grace Episcopal Church and for the subsequent interment. At the conclusion of the Interment Service, Vice President Cheney presented the American flag to Betty Ford.
Several elements of the state funeral paid tribute to Ford's service in the Navy during World War II. They included a member of the Navy bearing the presidential flag
, the Navy Hymn, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save
", a Navy rifle team firing three volleys, and a Navy bugler blowing "Taps
", a boatswain's mate sounding "Pipe The Side" at the World War II Memorial, the Chaplain of the Navy reading the Prayers during the Funeral Service at the National Cathedral, and female graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy gathering at the ceremonial pause at the World War II Memorial to pay tribute to President Ford's signing of the legislation to admit women to the Naval Academy.
(DHS) designated the Washington phase of the state funeral as a National Special Security Event
(NSSE).
to St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California. Mrs. Ford and the family proceeded to the porch of St. Margaret's from where they viewed the arrival ceremony. Mrs. Ford was accompanied on the porch by General Guy Swan, her children and their spouses. Opposite them on the porch were President and Mrs. Ford's seven grandchildren, and their spouses, and two of their four great-granddaughters. The arrival ceremony included musical honors by a Marine Band from Twentynine Palms Marine Base
. The casket was carried into the church, where Mrs. Ford and family members attended a private prayer service inside. Following the prayer service, Mrs. Ford and the family had a period of private time alone in the church. Thereafter, long-time staff members of President Ford, including Ms. Penny Circle, Ms. Ann Cullen, Mr. Lee Simmons, and Mr. David Hume Kennerly, were escorted by Gregory Willard to pay their respects at the casket. Beginning at 1:20 p.m., Mrs. Ford and the family received several hundred invited friends and guests until 3:10 p.m. After the visitation, Mrs. Ford and the family returned to the Ford residence in Rancho Mirage, California, and members of President and Mrs. Ford's U.S. Secret Service detail and their families, together with local law enforcement and government officials, were invited to pay their respects privately at the casket. The casket was then moved onto the altar at St. Margaret's, and a period of public repose commenced at 4:20 p.m. PST. The public repose continued until the following morning. Due to the extremely large crowds who wished to pay their respects to President Ford, the public was directed to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, from where they were transported by shuttle buses to and from the public repose at St. Margaret's Church. Each person attending the repose was presented a special tribute card on behalf of Mrs. Ford and the family. During the repose, some family members returned to St. Margaret's and greeted and thanked several thousand of the guests for their tributes and condolences.
The public repose concluded at approximately 8:00 a.m. on December 30, 2006. At 8:45 a.m. Mrs. Ford and her family returned to St. Margaret's Church, where a Departure Ceremony was conducted. President Ford's casket was then transported by motorcade to Palm Springs International Airport
, where large crowds had gathered to pay tribute to President Ford and say farewell. Following a departure ceremony at the airport that included musical honors and a 21-gun salute by a cannon battery from 3rd Battalion 11th Marines
, the casket was loaded onto Air Force One
at approximately 9:55 a.m. The aircraft departed shortly thereafter en route to Washington, D.C.
.
that evening. From there, it was driven by hearse in a simple procession, passing through Alexandria, Virginia
, to pay tribute to where he lived when in the House, into the capital city, pausing by the National World War II Memorial
to pay tribute to his service as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy
during World War II
, and onto Capitol Hill
. At the World War II Memorial, Eagle Scouts
stood along the street for a short distance, in honor of President Ford's status as an Eagle Scout. In addition, Ford was piped aboard, a Navy tradition used to honor senior officers.
Female alumnae of United States Military Academies
joined in an elongated salute
in tribute to Ford. Ford signed legislation in 1976 that allowed women to attend the Military Academies.
President Ford's family honored his wishes to have details of his funeral made as simple as possible. As such, a hearse was utilized en route to the Capitol, rather than having the sometimes utilized horse-drawn caisson
.
and in an unprecedented historical tribute to President Ford's distinction as the President who served the longest in the House of Representatives, the casket was carried up the east House Steps and then placed in repose just outside the main doors to the House Chamber. The casket remained there for a brief period of repose throughout which, in another unprecedented tribute to President Ford, the doors to the House Chamber were opened and the House Chamber was lit during the period of Repose. The casket was then carried through Statuary Hall to the Rotunda to lie in state on Abraham Lincoln's catafalque
.
The Rev. Daniel Coughlin
, the House of Representatives' chaplain, gave the invocation. Eulogies were delivered by Senate President pro tempore
Ted Stevens
, House Speaker
Dennis Hastert
, and Vice President
Dick Cheney
. The service was briefly interrupted when one of the mourners, former U.S. Congressman William Broomfield
collapsed from exhaustion.
After the eulogies, the eulogists laid a wreath, the Rev. Barry Black
, Senate chaplain gave the benediction. The dignitaries, which included members of the United States Congress
, the United States Supreme Court, and members of the diplomatic corps
and others, paid their respects during the next half hour.
Viewing continued through Sunday, December 31 and Monday, January 1. People visited the rotunda at a rate of 2,500 an hour. Members of the Ford family were on hand in the Rotunda to receive the public who came to pay their respects.
President George W. Bush
and his wife, Laura, visited the Rotunda after coming back from Crawford, Texas
and paid their respects, as did former Presidents Carter, Bush, Clinton and their respective spouses. In all, about 50,000 people paid their respects to Ford in the Rotunda.
The Capitol Rotunda closed early on Tuesday morning, January 2, 2007 to allow preparations for the second half of the Washington ceremonies, which were held in Washington's National Cathedral. In an unprecedented tribute, Ford's casket was taken from the Rotunda to Senate side of the Capitol
where he laid in repose for a short period, in tribute to his service as Vice President
(who serves as President of the Senate by direction of the Constitution
). The hymn Abide With Me
was played as Ford's casket was carried down the Senate steps to a waiting hearse for the trip to the National Cathedral for a mid-morning service. As the cortège moved from the Capitol to the Cathedral, the carillon's bells tolled 38 times to honor the thirty-eighth president.
and Nearer, My God, to Thee
.
The service in the National Cathedral was officially entitled, "In Celebration of and Thanksgiving for the Life of GERALD RUDOLPH FORD, 1913-2006."
. The congregation sang the hymn, "For All the Saints". All selections had been chosen by President and Mrs. Ford while planning the service. Musical selections chosen by the Fords are included below as a footnote.
and Director of the CIA in the Ford Administration), Dr. Henry Kissinger
(Secretary of State in the Ford Administration), former NBC Nightly News
anchor Tom Brokaw
(NBC White House correspondent during the Ford Administration), and by President George W. Bush
. The homily (sermon) was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Robert G. Certain, the Fords' pastor in Palm Desert, California
. Scripture was read by President Ford's son, John (Jack) Ford
, and daughter, Susan Ford Bales
.
. Former first lady Lady Bird Johnson
, who declined to attend because of her poor health and mobility problems, was represented by her older daughter Lynda Bird Johnson Robb
. Also attending were presidential children Tricia Nixon Cox, Dorothy Bush Koch
, and Chelsea Clinton
. Near the altar of the Cathedral just prior to the funeral service, President and Mrs. Ford's son-in-law, Vaden Bales, greeted Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens
, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Ford, and thanked Justice Stevens on behalf of Mrs. Ford and the Ford family for his distinguished service on the Court. Also seated with the Ford family were Mrs. Nelson Rockefeller and her son, Nelson Rockefeller, Jr., as well as U.S. Senator John Warner
.
At the conclusion of the service, Vice President Cheney accompanied the casket from the altar, and President George W. Bush and Steven Ford escorted Mrs. Ford to the cathedral narthex
.
Following the service in the Washington National Cathedral
, Ford's body was taken to Andrews Air Force Base
on January 2 for a flight to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport
in Grand Rapids, Michigan
on SAM 29000, one of the two VC-25A aircraft which currently serves as Air Force One
. En route the plane descended to very low altitude and flew over Ford's alma mater, the University of Michigan
and Michigan Stadium
in Ann Arbor, where Ford played center on Michigan's college football
team in 1932–1934.
Upon arrival in Grand Rapids, the University of Michigan Marching Band
played Ruffles and Flourishes
, Hail to the Chief
, Michigan's Alma Mater "The Yellow and Blue
", and Michigan's fight song The Victors
, and a 21-gun salute was rendered as President Ford's body was transferred from the aircraft to the waiting hearse. President Ford's remains were then taken by motorcade to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
in Grand Rapids. A private service was conducted in the Museum. The presidents of the University of Michigan
and Yale University
, representing President Ford's college and law school education, laid wreaths, the mayor of Grand Rapids gave the invocation, and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm
and Martin J. Allen, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation, spoke. "Shall We Gather At The River" was sung by The Army Chorus, and prayers were offered by Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell. Also present for the service were the four remaining members of the 30/30 Club, consisting of President Ford's championship high school football team.
On Tuesday night (January 2), President Ford's casket lay in repose in the lobby of the museum where an estimated 67,000 mourners, despite the cold winter temperatures, stood in line for up to 6 hours in order to pay their respects to his casket. Several of President and Mrs. Ford's children and grandchildren came to the museum that night and greeted mourners for several hours.
Shortly after noon on January 3, the casket was taken from the museum to Grace Episcopal Church by motorcade, and a funeral service was conducted at Grace Episcopal Church in East Grand Rapids
. Along the entire motorcade route to the church, thousands of people gathered to say farewell and pay their respects.
During the service, eulogies were delivered by Donald Rumsfeld (President Ford's White House Chief of Staff and Secretary of Defense), President Jimmy Carter, Richard Norton Smith (former Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum and a close personal friend of President Ford), President Bush, and Vice President Cheney. http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/grf/Funeral/eulogies.asp Prayers were offered by Sarah Ford Goodfellow, Tyne Vance Berlanga, and Christian Gerald Ford, grandchildren of President and Mrs. Ford. The Army Chorus sang "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic" and a solo of "On Eagle's Wings" sung by Sergeant First Class Alvy Powell. One pew was draped with a University of Michigan stadium blanket in honor of legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler
, who was to be an honorary pallbearer for President Ford but died two months earlier.
After the church service, President Ford's remains were transported back to the museum and carried to the burial spot on a hillside just north of the museum. A small group of invited friends joined Mrs. Ford and the family at the Interment Service, including Vice President and Mrs. Richard Cheney, President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, former Secretary and Mrs. Rumsfeld, Ann Cullen, Len Nurmi, Penny Circle, Richard Norton Smith, Gregory Willard, Ann Willard, and Ms. Lilian Fisher. The 126th Army Band from the National Guard Unit based in Wyoming, Michigan
performed during the Interment Service. A 21-gun salute
was completed by the 119th Field Artillery Regiment, the only such unit in the state of Michigan. After the salute, a benediction was given. Three volleys from seven rifles were then fired, followed by the playing of "Taps
" by Sergeant Major Woodrow English. As "Taps" was sounded, 21 F-15E's from Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina
did a south-to-north missing man flyby
of the casket just as the sun began to set on the western horizon. The flag over the casket was then folded and presented to Mrs. Ford by Vice President Cheney, at which point media coverage of the Interment Service, by prior request of the Ford family, concluded.
After the Interment Service, Mrs. Ford and her family and President Ford's brother, Dick Ford, spent a few moments at the casket and then proceeded inside the Museum. Vice President and Mrs. Cheney, President and Mrs. Carter, and former Secretary and Mrs. Rumsfeld approached the casket together for their final farewells. They then proceeded inside the Museum with Mrs. Ford. Lilian Fisher, Ann Cullen, Leonard Nurmi, Penny Circle, Richard Norton Smith, Gregory Willard, Ann Willard, Douglas "Chip" Emery, Richard Garbarino, Michael Wagner, Janice Hart, and Carol Buck were individually escorted to the casket. As a special tribute to First Sergeant Alvy Powell of the Army Chorus and his thirty years of friendship with President and Mrs. Ford, Sergeant Powell was escorted by Greg Willard to the casket where he paid his final respects. Honorary Pallbearers Martin Allen, Richard DeVos, Robert Hooker, Jack Nicklaus, Fred Meijer, Leon Parma, Dr. Mary Sue Coleman, David Frey, and the other Honorary Pallbearers and spouses then approached the casket, along with Shelli Archibald, Jordan Lewis, Lee Simmons, Jeannete Simmons, and other guests. Later that evening, members of the Army Chorus were accompanied by Michael Wagner to the casket, where each of them paid his respects.
Before departing Grand Rapids the following afternoon, Mrs. Ford and her family returned to President Ford's tomb. In front of the tomb was a large bouquet of flowers that had been prepared from individual flowers taken from bouquets and other floral tributes placed by members of the public earlier in the week.
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
, the 38th President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, died at his home in Rancho Mirage
Rancho Mirage, California
Rancho Mirage is a resort city in Riverside County, California, United States. The population was 17,218 at the 2010 census, up from 13,249 at the 2000 census, but the seasonal population can exceed 20,000. In between Cathedral City and Palm Desert, it is one of the eight cities of the Coachella...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, at 6:45 p.m. local time
Pacific Time Zone
The Pacific Time Zone observes standard time by subtracting eight hours from Coordinated Universal Time . The clock time in this zone is based on the mean solar time of the 120th meridian west of the Greenwich Observatory. During daylight saving time, its time offset is UTC-7.In the United States...
(02:45, December 27, UTC). At 8:49 p.m. local time
Pacific Time Zone
The Pacific Time Zone observes standard time by subtracting eight hours from Coordinated Universal Time . The clock time in this zone is based on the mean solar time of the 120th meridian west of the Greenwich Observatory. During daylight saving time, its time offset is UTC-7.In the United States...
, President Ford's wife of 58 years, Betty Ford
Betty Ford
Elizabeth Ann Bloomer Warren Ford , better known as Betty Ford, was First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977 during the presidency of her husband Gerald Ford...
, issued a statement that confirmed his death: "My family joins me in sharing the difficult news that Gerald Ford, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather has died at 93 years of age. His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country." The causes of death listed on the subsequent death certificate were arteriosclerotic cerebrovascular disease
Cerebrovascular disease
Cerebrovascular disease is a group of brain dysfunctions related to disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain. Hypertension is the most important cause; it damages the blood vessel lining, endothelium, exposing the underlying collagen where platelets aggregate to initiate a repairing process...
and diffuse arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis refers to a stiffening of arteries.Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening of medium or large arteries It should not be confused with "arteriolosclerosis" or "atherosclerosis".Also known by the name "myoconditis" which is...
. President Ford's body was taken to Eisenhower Medical Center
Eisenhower Medical Center
The Eisenhower Medical Center is a not-for-profit hospital located in Rancho Mirage, California. It was named one of the top one hundred hospitals in the United States in 2005 and is adjacent to the world-famous Betty Ford Center....
where it remained until the start of state funeral services on December 29.
Tributes from world leaders
Upon Ford's death, President George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
said in a written statement:
There were also tributes from other Americans, including the living former American presidents: Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
, George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
, and Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
, as well as Ford's former Chief of Staff, Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
and former First Lady Nancy Reagan
Nancy Reagan
Nancy Davis Reagan is the widow of former United States President Ronald Reagan and was First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989....
.
Foreign leaders who paid tribute included Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
, Czech President Václav Klaus
Václav Klaus
Václav Klaus is the second President of the Czech Republic and a former Prime Minister .An economist, he is co-founder of the Civic Democratic Party, the Czech Republic's largest center-right political party. Klaus is a eurosceptic, but he reluctantly endorsed the Lisbon treaty as president of...
and German President Horst Köhler
Horst Köhler
Horst Köhler is a German politician of the Christian Democratic Union. He was President of Germany from 2004 to 2010. As the candidate of the two Christian Democratic sister parties, the CDU and the CSU, and the liberal FDP, Köhler was elected to his first five-year term by the Federal Assembly on...
. Harper advised Governor General
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
Michaëlle Jean
Michaëlle Jean
Michaëlle Jean is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 27th since Canadian Confederation, from 2005 to 2010....
to order all flag
Flag of Canada
The national flag of Canada, also known as the Maple Leaf, and , is a red flag with a white square in its centre, featuring a stylized 11-pointed red maple leaf. Its adoption in 1965 marked the first time a national flag had been officially adopted in Canada to replace the Union Flag...
s across Canada flown to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on January 2, 2007, in sympathy with the USA's national day of mourning
National day of mourning
A national day of mourning is a day marked by mourning and memorial activities observed among the majority of a country's populace. They are designated by that nation's government...
. In Great Britain, the Union Flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
was flown at half-staff on December 28.
Funeral arrangements
- A detailed compilation of the State Funeral services and ceremonies and the Congressional tributes to President Ford was prepared by the U.S. Congress in May, 2008 and is available online at: http://main.gvsu.edu/forms/ford//Congressional%20Tribute%20to%20President%20Gerald%20R%20Ford.pdf or at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_documents&docid=f:hd061.pdf
Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region
Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region is directly responsible for the homeland security and defense of the Washington D.C. area as well as surrounding counties in Virginia and Maryland...
(JFHQ-NCR)/Military District of Washington
Military District of Washington
The United States Army Military District of Washington is one of nineteen major commands of the United States Army. Its headquarters are located at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C...
(MDW), which oversees the military and ceremonial portions of state funeral
State funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honor heads of state or other important people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements of military tradition...
s, assisted President Ford and the Ford family in development of the funeral plans.
Army Major General Guy C. Swan III
Guy C. Swan III
Lieutenant General Guy Carleton Swan III of the United States Army is the Commanding General United States Army North , based out of Fort Sam Houston, Texas....
, Commanding General of the MDW (CG MDW) and JFHQ-NCR, was Betty Ford
Betty Ford
Elizabeth Ann Bloomer Warren Ford , better known as Betty Ford, was First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977 during the presidency of her husband Gerald Ford...
's official escort throughout the State Funeral. A MDW civilian liaison for the Ford family provided advice to President and Mrs. Ford and the Ford family in planning the state funeral and accompanied the family throughout the state funeral.
The schedule for the state funeral was announced at a press briefing Wednesday afternoon December 27 in Palm Desert, California. The briefing was conducted by Gregory Willard. The briefing was also attended by Barbara Owens, spokesperson for MDW, and by the Riverside County Sheriff. A personal statement from Mrs. Betty Ford was read by Mr. Willard, and he announced details and answered media questions regarding the state funeral.
President and Mrs. Ford and their family previously chose to have the state funeral and related services conducted in three phases (Palm Desert, California; Washington, DC; Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
), with interment in a previously selected hillside crypt next to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is part of the Presidential Libraries System of the National Archives and Records Administration, a federal agency. Unlike most other presidential libraries and museums, Ford's are two geographically separate buildings. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential...
, in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
. The services and ceremonies were conducted from December 29 through January 3. A large number of tributes and symbolic remembrances during the three phases highlighted President Ford's career of public service and his unique place in American history.
Columnist Peggy Noonan summarized the nation's heartfelt farewell, "Ford's was the most human of presidential funerals. Maybe because the Fords wanted so little done, so insisted on modesty, all that was done was genuine and sincere, and perfect."
The state funeral
State funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honor heads of state or other important people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements of military tradition...
service took place at the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, December 30, 2006, with further funeral services on January 2 at Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
and on January 3 at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids. In addition, private services were conducted with Mrs. Ford and the family at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California, and at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mrs. Ford and her family also received approximately 300 invited guests at a December 29 visitation at St. Margaret's Church.
As a mark of honor, Ford's Casket was flown to Washington, and then on to Grand Rapids aboard the VC-25A Presidential Aircraft (29000), which normally serves as Air Force One. The hearse used to carry President Ford's casket flew the American Flag
Flag of the United States
The national flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows...
and had the Presidential Seal
Seal of the President of the United States
The Seal of the President of the United States is used to mark correspondence from the U.S. president to the United States Congress, and is also used as a symbol of the presidency. The central design, based on the Great Seal of the United States, is the official coat of arms of the U.S...
affixed to the sides.
Upon the death of Ford, the nation's flags were ordered flown at half staff for 30 days after the death. President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
declared a national day of mourning
National day of mourning
A national day of mourning is a day marked by mourning and memorial activities observed among the majority of a country's populace. They are designated by that nation's government...
for President Ford on Tuesday, January 2, 2007, to mark the funeral service.
There were twenty honorary pallbearers for the services and ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and thirteen honorary pallbearers in Grand Rapids.
- Martin J. Allen, Jr., Chairman Emeritus, Gerald R. Ford Foundation;
- James A. Baker III, former Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury; President Ford’s Under Secretary of Commerce and Presidential Campaign National Chairman;
- Robert E. Barrett, President Ford’s White House Army Aide;
- James CannonJames CannonJames Cannon may refer to:*James P. Cannon , American Communist and Trotskyist leader*James Cannon , Scottish-born mathematician who was one of the principal authors of Pennsylvania's 1776 Constitution...
, President Ford’s White House Domestic Policy Advisor; author, Time And Chance: Gerald Ford’s Appointment With History; - Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, American Express Company;
- Richard B. Cheney, Vice President of the United States; former Secretary of Defense; President Ford’s White House Chief of Staff;
- Mary Sue Coleman, President, University of Michigan;
- William T. Coleman, Jr., President Ford’s Secretary of Transportation;
- Richard M. DeVos, Co-founder of Amway Corporation;
- Robert J. Dole, Former U.S. Senator; 1996 Republican presidential candidateUnited States presidential election, 1996The United States presidential election of 1996 was a contest between the Democratic national ticket of President Bill Clinton of Arkansas and Vice President Al Gore of Tennessee and the Republican national ticket of former Senator Bob Dole of Kansas for President and former Housing Secretary Jack...
; President Ford’s Vice Presidential running mate; - Richard A. Ford, Brother of President Ford;
- David G. Frey, Philanthropist and bank executive with JPMorgan Chase Bank;
- Pepi Gramshammer, Member of original founders group – Vail, Colorado; former member, Austrian National Ski Team;
- Alan GreenspanAlan GreenspanAlan Greenspan is an American economist who served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve of the United States from 1987 to 2006. He currently works as a private advisor and provides consulting for firms through his company, Greenspan Associates LLC...
, Former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve SystemFederal Reserve SystemThe Federal Reserve System is the central banking system of the United States. It was created on December 23, 1913 with the enactment of the Federal Reserve Act, largely in response to a series of financial panics, particularly a severe panic in 1907...
; Chairman, President Ford’s Council of Economic Advisors; - Robert T. Hartmann, White House Counsellor to President Ford;
- Carla A. Hills, President Ford’s Secretary of Housing and Urban Development;
- Robert L. Hooker, Philanthropist and retired business executive;
- Henry A. Kissinger, President Ford’s Secretary of State and National Security Advisor;
- John O. Marsh, White House Counsellor to President Ford;
- Frederick G. H. Meijer, Chairman Emeritus, Meijer, Inc.MeijerMeijer, Inc. is a regional American hypermarket chain based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1934 as a supermarket chain, Meijer is credited with pioneering the modern supercenter concept in 1962. About half of the company's 196 stores are located in Michigan, with additional locations in...
; - Jack NicklausJack NicklausJack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
, Professional Golfer; Chairman, Nicklaus Design; - Paul H. O'Neill, Former Secretary of the Treasury; Deputy Director, President Ford’s Office of Management and Budget;
- Leon W. Parma, President, Parma Management Co., Inc.;
- Donald H. Rumsfeld, President Ford’s White House Chief of Staff and Secretary of Defense;
- Brent ScowcroftBrent ScowcroftBrent Scowcroft, KBE was the United States National Security Advisor under Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush and a Lieutenant General in the United States Air Force. He also served as Military Assistant to President Richard Nixon and as Deputy Assistant to the President for National...
, President Ford’s National Security Advisor; - Peter Secchia, Retired Businessman;
- L. William Seidman, President Ford’s White House Assistant for Economic Policy;
- Steve Van Andel, Chairman, Alticor Inc.;
- Sanford I. Weill, Chairman Emeritus, Citigroup Inc.;
- Frank G. Zarb, Administrator of President Ford’s Federal Energy Administration;
- Glenn “Bo” SchembechlerBo SchembechlerGlenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler, Jr. was an American football player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Miami University from 1963 to 1968 and at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1989, compiling a career record of 234–65–8...
(In memoriam), former Head Football Coach, University of MichiganUniversity of MichiganThe University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
.
Richard DeVos, Richard Ford, and Martin J. Allen, Jr. were honorary pallbearers in both Washington and Grand Rapids and traveled with the Ford family aboard the Presidential Aircraft from Washington to Grand Rapids.
Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn accompanied Mrs. Ford and the Ford family aboard the Presidential Aircraft from Washington, DC to Grand Rapids. Former Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
and former Ford White House Chief of Staff and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld joined the Ford family in Grand Rapids for the funeral service at Grace Episcopal Church and for the subsequent interment. At the conclusion of the Interment Service, Vice President Cheney presented the American flag to Betty Ford.
Several elements of the state funeral paid tribute to Ford's service in the Navy during World War II. They included a member of the Navy bearing the presidential flag
Flag of the President of the United States
The Flag of the President of the United States consists of the presidential coat of arms on a dark blue background. While having the same design as the presidential seal since 1945, the flag has a separate history, and the designs on the flag and seal have at different times influenced each other...
, the Navy Hymn, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save
Eternal Father, Strong to Save
"Eternal Father, Strong to Save" is a hymn often associated with the Royal Navy or the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. Accordingly, it is often known as the Royal Navy Hymn or the United States Navy Hymn , and sometimes by the last line of its first verse, "For Those in Peril on...
", a Navy rifle team firing three volleys, and a Navy bugler blowing "Taps
Taps
"Taps" is a musical piece sounded by the U.S. military nightly to indicate that it is "lights out". The tune is also sometimes known as "Butterfields Lullaby", or by the lyrics of its second verse, "Day is Done". It is also played during flag ceremonies and funerals, generally on bugle or trumpet...
", a boatswain's mate sounding "Pipe The Side" at the World War II Memorial, the Chaplain of the Navy reading the Prayers during the Funeral Service at the National Cathedral, and female graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy gathering at the ceremonial pause at the World War II Memorial to pay tribute to President Ford's signing of the legislation to admit women to the Naval Academy.
Security measures
The Department of Homeland SecurityUnited States Department of Homeland Security
The United States Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet department of the United States federal government, created in response to the September 11 attacks, and with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the United States and protectorates from and responding to...
(DHS) designated the Washington phase of the state funeral as a National Special Security Event
National Special Security Event
A National Special Security Event is an event of national or international significance deemed by the United States Department of Homeland Security to be a potential target for terrorism or other criminal activity...
(NSSE).
Events in California
On December 29, 2006, the casket was transported by motorcade from Eisenhower Medical CenterEisenhower Medical Center
The Eisenhower Medical Center is a not-for-profit hospital located in Rancho Mirage, California. It was named one of the top one hundred hospitals in the United States in 2005 and is adjacent to the world-famous Betty Ford Center....
to St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California. Mrs. Ford and the family proceeded to the porch of St. Margaret's from where they viewed the arrival ceremony. Mrs. Ford was accompanied on the porch by General Guy Swan, her children and their spouses. Opposite them on the porch were President and Mrs. Ford's seven grandchildren, and their spouses, and two of their four great-granddaughters. The arrival ceremony included musical honors by a Marine Band from Twentynine Palms Marine Base
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center , also known as 29 Palms, is a United States Marine Corps base. It was a census-designated place officially known as Twentynine Palms Base located adjacent to the city of Twentynine Palms in southern San Bernardino County, California. As of the 2000...
. The casket was carried into the church, where Mrs. Ford and family members attended a private prayer service inside. Following the prayer service, Mrs. Ford and the family had a period of private time alone in the church. Thereafter, long-time staff members of President Ford, including Ms. Penny Circle, Ms. Ann Cullen, Mr. Lee Simmons, and Mr. David Hume Kennerly, were escorted by Gregory Willard to pay their respects at the casket. Beginning at 1:20 p.m., Mrs. Ford and the family received several hundred invited friends and guests until 3:10 p.m. After the visitation, Mrs. Ford and the family returned to the Ford residence in Rancho Mirage, California, and members of President and Mrs. Ford's U.S. Secret Service detail and their families, together with local law enforcement and government officials, were invited to pay their respects privately at the casket. The casket was then moved onto the altar at St. Margaret's, and a period of public repose commenced at 4:20 p.m. PST. The public repose continued until the following morning. Due to the extremely large crowds who wished to pay their respects to President Ford, the public was directed to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, from where they were transported by shuttle buses to and from the public repose at St. Margaret's Church. Each person attending the repose was presented a special tribute card on behalf of Mrs. Ford and the family. During the repose, some family members returned to St. Margaret's and greeted and thanked several thousand of the guests for their tributes and condolences.
The public repose concluded at approximately 8:00 a.m. on December 30, 2006. At 8:45 a.m. Mrs. Ford and her family returned to St. Margaret's Church, where a Departure Ceremony was conducted. President Ford's casket was then transported by motorcade to Palm Springs International Airport
Palm Springs International Airport
Palm Springs International Airport is a public airport located two miles east of the central business district of Palm Springs, California, serving the Inland Empire Metropolitan Area of Southern California. The airport covers and utilizes two runways...
, where large crowds had gathered to pay tribute to President Ford and say farewell. Following a departure ceremony at the airport that included musical honors and a 21-gun salute by a cannon battery from 3rd Battalion 11th Marines
3rd Battalion 11th Marines
3rd Battalion 11th Marines is an artillery battalion comprising four firing batteries and a headquarters battery. The battalion is based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California and its primary weapon system is the M777 lightweight howitzer with a maximum...
, the casket was loaded onto Air Force One
Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign of any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. In common parlance the term refers to those Air Force aircraft whose primary mission is to transport the president; however, any U.S. Air Force aircraft...
at approximately 9:55 a.m. The aircraft departed shortly thereafter en route to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
Events in Washington
The events in Washington, D.C., began on December 30, 2006, when Ford's body, flown aboard the Presidential VC-25A SAM 29000 Boeing 747, arrived at Andrews Air Force BaseAndrews Air Force Base
Joint Base Andrews is a United States military facility located in Prince George's County, Maryland. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 11th Wing, Air Force District of Washington ....
that evening. From there, it was driven by hearse in a simple procession, passing through Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
, to pay tribute to where he lived when in the House, into the capital city, pausing by the National World War II Memorial
National World War II Memorial
The U.S. National World War II Memorial is a National Memorial dedicated to Americans who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II...
to pay tribute to his service as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and onto Capitol Hill
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
. At the World War II Memorial, Eagle Scouts
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
stood along the street for a short distance, in honor of President Ford's status as an Eagle Scout. In addition, Ford was piped aboard, a Navy tradition used to honor senior officers.
Female alumnae of United States Military Academies
United States military academies
The United States Service academies, also known as the United States Military Academies, are federal academies for the undergraduate education and training of commissioned officers for the United States armed forces.There are five U.S...
joined in an elongated salute
Salute
A salute is a gesture or other action used to display respect. Salutes are primarily associated with armed forces, but other organizations and civil people also use salutes.-Military salutes:...
in tribute to Ford. Ford signed legislation in 1976 that allowed women to attend the Military Academies.
President Ford's family honored his wishes to have details of his funeral made as simple as possible. As such, a hearse was utilized en route to the Capitol, rather than having the sometimes utilized horse-drawn caisson
Caisson (military)
A limber is a two-wheeled cart designed to support the trail of an artillery piece, or the stock of a field carriage such as a caisson or traveling forge, allowing it to be towed. A caisson is a two-wheeled cart designed to carry artillery ammunition...
.
Capitol Hill events
Upon arrival at the CapitolUnited States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
and in an unprecedented historical tribute to President Ford's distinction as the President who served the longest in the House of Representatives, the casket was carried up the east House Steps and then placed in repose just outside the main doors to the House Chamber. The casket remained there for a brief period of repose throughout which, in another unprecedented tribute to President Ford, the doors to the House Chamber were opened and the House Chamber was lit during the period of Repose. The casket was then carried through Statuary Hall to the Rotunda to lie in state on Abraham Lincoln's catafalque
Lincoln catafalque
The Lincoln catafalque is a catafalque hastily constructed in 1865 to support the casket of Abraham Lincoln while the president's body lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. The catafalque has since been used for all those who have lain in state in the Capitol Rotunda, as listed...
.
The Rev. Daniel Coughlin
Daniel Coughlin
Fr. Daniel P. Coughlin STL served as the 59th Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives from March 23, 2000, to April 14, 2011. He was the first Roman Catholic priest to serve in that position, and the process that led to his selection included some controversy...
, the House of Representatives' chaplain, gave the invocation. Eulogies were delivered by Senate President pro tempore
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
The President pro tempore is the second-highest-ranking official of the United States Senate. The United States Constitution states that the Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate and the highest-ranking official of the Senate despite not being a member of the body...
Ted Stevens
Ted Stevens
Theodore Fulton "Ted" Stevens, Sr. was a United States Senator from Alaska, serving from December 24, 1968, until January 3, 2009, and thus the longest-serving Republican senator in history...
, House Speaker
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, or Speaker of the House, is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives...
Dennis Hastert
Dennis Hastert
John Dennis "Denny" Hastert was the 59th Speaker of the House serving from 1999 to 2007. He represented as a Republican for twenty years, 1987 to 2007.He is the longest-serving Republican Speaker in history...
, and Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
. The service was briefly interrupted when one of the mourners, former U.S. Congressman William Broomfield
William Broomfield
William S. Broomfield, or Bill Broomfield, is a retired politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Early life:Broomfield was born in Royal Oak, Michigan. He graduated from high school in 1940 and attended Michigan State College at East Lansing. During the Second World War, he served in the...
collapsed from exhaustion.
After the eulogies, the eulogists laid a wreath, the Rev. Barry Black
Barry Black
Barry C. Black is the 62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate. He was elected to this position on June 27, 2003, becoming the first African-American, the first Seventh-day Adventist, and the first military chaplain to hold the office of chaplain to the United States Senate...
, Senate chaplain gave the benediction. The dignitaries, which included members of the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, the United States Supreme Court, and members of the diplomatic corps
Diplomatic corps
The diplomatic corps or corps diplomatique is the collective body of foreign diplomats accredited to a particular country or body.The diplomatic corps may, in certain contexts, refer to the collection of accredited heads of mission who represent their countries in another state or country...
and others, paid their respects during the next half hour.
Public viewing
The doors were opened to the public after the dignitaries filed by. The Capitol Rotunda remained open until midnight EST.Viewing continued through Sunday, December 31 and Monday, January 1. People visited the rotunda at a rate of 2,500 an hour. Members of the Ford family were on hand in the Rotunda to receive the public who came to pay their respects.
President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
and his wife, Laura, visited the Rotunda after coming back from Crawford, Texas
Crawford, Texas
Crawford is a town located in western McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is best known as the home of former President of the United States George W. Bush. He currently resides at the Prairie Chapel Ranch, which is located just outside Crawford, Texas....
and paid their respects, as did former Presidents Carter, Bush, Clinton and their respective spouses. In all, about 50,000 people paid their respects to Ford in the Rotunda.
The Capitol Rotunda closed early on Tuesday morning, January 2, 2007 to allow preparations for the second half of the Washington ceremonies, which were held in Washington's National Cathedral. In an unprecedented tribute, Ford's casket was taken from the Rotunda to Senate side of the Capitol
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
where he laid in repose for a short period, in tribute to his service as Vice President
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
(who serves as President of the Senate by direction of the Constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
). The hymn Abide With Me
Abide With Me
The hymn tune most often used with this hymn is "Eventide" composed by William Henry Monk in 1861.Alternate tunes include:* "Abide with Me," Henry Lyte, 1847* "Morecambe", Frederick C...
was played as Ford's casket was carried down the Senate steps to a waiting hearse for the trip to the National Cathedral for a mid-morning service. As the cortège moved from the Capitol to the Cathedral, the carillon's bells tolled 38 times to honor the thirty-eighth president.
National funeral service
As the casket was removed from the hearse, the U.S. Coast Guard Band played Hail to the ChiefHail to the Chief
"Hail to the Chief" is a march primarily associated with the President of the United States. Its playing accompanies the appearance of the President at many public appearances. For major official occasions, the United States Marine Band and other military ensembles generally are the performers, so...
and Nearer, My God, to Thee
Nearer, My God, to Thee
"Nearer, My God, to Thee" is a 19th century Christian hymn by Sarah Flower Adams, based loosely on Genesis 28:11–19, the story of Jacob's dream. Genesis 28:11–12 can be translated as follows: "So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the...
.
The service in the National Cathedral was officially entitled, "In Celebration of and Thanksgiving for the Life of GERALD RUDOLPH FORD, 1913-2006."
Music
Service music was provided by the cathedral organists; the United States Marine Orchestra; Armed Forces Chorus; Cathedral Choirs of Men, Boys and Girls; and opera soloist Denyce GravesDenyce Graves
Denyce Graves is an American mezzo-soprano opera singer.-Early life:Graves was born on March 7, 1964, to Charles Graves and Dorothy Graves-Kenner. She is the middle of three children and was raised by her mother on Galveston Street, S.W., in the Bellevue section of Washington...
. The congregation sang the hymn, "For All the Saints". All selections had been chosen by President and Mrs. Ford while planning the service. Musical selections chosen by the Fords are included below as a footnote.
Readings and eulogies
Ford was eulogized by former President George H.W. Bush (director of the U.S. Liaison Office in BeijingBeijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
and Director of the CIA in the Ford Administration), Dr. Henry Kissinger
Henry Kissinger
Heinz Alfred "Henry" Kissinger is a German-born American academic, political scientist, diplomat, and businessman. He is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He served as National Security Advisor and later concurrently as Secretary of State in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and...
(Secretary of State in the Ford Administration), former NBC Nightly News
NBC Nightly News
NBC Nightly News is the flagship daily evening television news program for NBC News and broadcasts. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is located in the center...
anchor Tom Brokaw
Tom Brokaw
Thomas John "Tom" Brokaw is an American television journalist and author best known as the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News from 1982 to 2004. He is the author of The Greatest Generation and other books and the recipient of numerous awards and honors...
(NBC White House correspondent during the Ford Administration), and by President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. The homily (sermon) was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Robert G. Certain, the Fords' pastor in Palm Desert, California
Palm Desert, California
Palm Desert is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, in the Coachella Valley, approximately east of Palm Springs. The population was 48,445 at the 2010 census, up from 41,155 at the 2000 census...
. Scripture was read by President Ford's son, John (Jack) Ford
John Gardner Ford
John "Jack" Gardner Ford is the second child and second son of U.S. President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford.In 1977, with William Randolph Hearst III and Jann Wenner, he was part of the founding staff of the magazine Outside...
, and daughter, Susan Ford Bales
Susan Ford
Susan Elizabeth Ford Bales is an American author, photojournalist, and former chairman of the board of the Betty Ford Center for alcohol and drug abuse.-Youth:...
.
Dignitaries
All four living presidents and their spouses (Carter, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush) attended the state funeral, as well as former First Lady Nancy ReaganNancy Reagan
Nancy Davis Reagan is the widow of former United States President Ronald Reagan and was First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989....
. Former first lady Lady Bird Johnson
Lady Bird Johnson
Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson was First Lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969 during the presidency of her husband Lyndon B. Johnson. Throughout her life, she was an advocate for beautification of the nation's cities and highways and conservation of natural resources and made that...
, who declined to attend because of her poor health and mobility problems, was represented by her older daughter Lynda Bird Johnson Robb
Lynda Bird Johnson Robb
Lynda Bird Johnson Robb is the elder of the two daughters of United States President Lyndon Baines Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird Johnson...
. Also attending were presidential children Tricia Nixon Cox, Dorothy Bush Koch
Dorothy Bush Koch
Dorothy Walker Bush Koch, often called "Doro", , is the daughter of the 41st President of the United States George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush, and the youngest sibling of George W. Bush, the 43rd President...
, and Chelsea Clinton
Chelsea Clinton
Chelsea Victoria Clinton is a television journalist, currently serving as Special Correspondent for NBC News, and philanthropist, working through the Clinton Global Initiative. She is the only child of former U.S...
. Near the altar of the Cathedral just prior to the funeral service, President and Mrs. Ford's son-in-law, Vaden Bales, greeted Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens
John Paul Stevens
John Paul Stevens served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from December 19, 1975 until his retirement on June 29, 2010. At the time of his retirement, he was the oldest member of the Court and the third-longest serving justice in the Court's history...
, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Ford, and thanked Justice Stevens on behalf of Mrs. Ford and the Ford family for his distinguished service on the Court. Also seated with the Ford family were Mrs. Nelson Rockefeller and her son, Nelson Rockefeller, Jr., as well as U.S. Senator John Warner
John Warner
John William Warner, KBE is an American Republican politician who served as Secretary of the Navy from 1972 to 1974 and as a five-term United States Senator from Virginia from January 2, 1979, to January 3, 2009...
.
At the conclusion of the service, Vice President Cheney accompanied the casket from the altar, and President George W. Bush and Steven Ford escorted Mrs. Ford to the cathedral narthex
Narthex
The narthex of a church is the entrance or lobby area, located at the end of the nave, at the far end from the church's main altar. Traditionally the narthex was a part of the church building, but was not considered part of the church proper...
.
Events in Grand Rapids
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
, Ford's body was taken to Andrews Air Force Base
Andrews Air Force Base
Joint Base Andrews is a United States military facility located in Prince George's County, Maryland. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force 11th Wing, Air Force District of Washington ....
on January 2 for a flight to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Gerald R. Ford International Airport is a commercial airport located approximately southeast of Grand Rapids, Michigan in Cascade Township. Originally called Kent County Airport and later Kent County International Airport; in December 1999 the airport was renamed for former resident Gerald R....
in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
on SAM 29000, one of the two VC-25A aircraft which currently serves as Air Force One
Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign of any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. In common parlance the term refers to those Air Force aircraft whose primary mission is to transport the president; however, any U.S. Air Force aircraft...
. En route the plane descended to very low altitude and flew over Ford's alma mater, the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium, nicknamed "The Big House," is the football stadium for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan Stadium was built in 1927 at a cost of $950,000 and had an original capacity of 72,000. Before playing football at the stadium, the Wolverines played on Ferry Field...
in Ann Arbor, where Ford played center on Michigan's college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
team in 1932–1934.
Upon arrival in Grand Rapids, the University of Michigan Marching Band
Michigan Marching Band
The Michigan Marching Band is the University of Michigan's marching band.-History:In 1896 the MMB was founded as a student organization and became a firm part of the Michigan tradition in 1898. Shortly after William D. Revelli became director he aligned the MMB with the School of Music which...
played Ruffles and Flourishes
Ruffles and flourishes
Ruffles and flourishes are preceding fanfare for honors music .Ruffles are played on drums, and flourishes are played on bugles...
, Hail to the Chief
Hail to the Chief
"Hail to the Chief" is a march primarily associated with the President of the United States. Its playing accompanies the appearance of the President at many public appearances. For major official occasions, the United States Marine Band and other military ensembles generally are the performers, so...
, Michigan's Alma Mater "The Yellow and Blue
The Yellow and Blue
"The Yellow and Blue" is the alma mater of the University of Michigan, with words by Charles Mills Gayley, on a tune by Michael William Balfe .-External links:**...
", and Michigan's fight song The Victors
The Victors
"The Victors" is the fight song of the University of Michigan . It was composed by UM student Louis Elbel in 1898 following the last-minute football victory over the University of Chicago that clinched a league championship...
, and a 21-gun salute was rendered as President Ford's body was transferred from the aircraft to the waiting hearse. President Ford's remains were then taken by motorcade to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is part of the Presidential Libraries System of the National Archives and Records Administration, a federal agency. Unlike most other presidential libraries and museums, Ford's are two geographically separate buildings. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential...
in Grand Rapids. A private service was conducted in the Museum. The presidents of the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, representing President Ford's college and law school education, laid wreaths, the mayor of Grand Rapids gave the invocation, and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm
Jennifer Granholm
Jennifer Mulhern Granholm is a Canadian-born American politician, educator, and author who served as Attorney General and 47th Governor of the U.S. state of Michigan. A member of the Democratic Party, Granholm became Michigan's first female governor on January 1, 2003, when she succeeded Governor...
and Martin J. Allen, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation, spoke. "Shall We Gather At The River" was sung by The Army Chorus, and prayers were offered by Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell. Also present for the service were the four remaining members of the 30/30 Club, consisting of President Ford's championship high school football team.
On Tuesday night (January 2), President Ford's casket lay in repose in the lobby of the museum where an estimated 67,000 mourners, despite the cold winter temperatures, stood in line for up to 6 hours in order to pay their respects to his casket. Several of President and Mrs. Ford's children and grandchildren came to the museum that night and greeted mourners for several hours.
Shortly after noon on January 3, the casket was taken from the museum to Grace Episcopal Church by motorcade, and a funeral service was conducted at Grace Episcopal Church in East Grand Rapids
East Grand Rapids, Michigan
East Grand Rapids is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is a suburb of Grand Rapids and is located on the shore of Reeds Lake. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 10,694.-Geography:...
. Along the entire motorcade route to the church, thousands of people gathered to say farewell and pay their respects.
During the service, eulogies were delivered by Donald Rumsfeld (President Ford's White House Chief of Staff and Secretary of Defense), President Jimmy Carter, Richard Norton Smith (former Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum and a close personal friend of President Ford), President Bush, and Vice President Cheney. http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/grf/Funeral/eulogies.asp Prayers were offered by Sarah Ford Goodfellow, Tyne Vance Berlanga, and Christian Gerald Ford, grandchildren of President and Mrs. Ford. The Army Chorus sang "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic" and a solo of "On Eagle's Wings" sung by Sergeant First Class Alvy Powell. One pew was draped with a University of Michigan stadium blanket in honor of legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler
Bo Schembechler
Glenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler, Jr. was an American football player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Miami University from 1963 to 1968 and at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1989, compiling a career record of 234–65–8...
, who was to be an honorary pallbearer for President Ford but died two months earlier.
After the church service, President Ford's remains were transported back to the museum and carried to the burial spot on a hillside just north of the museum. A small group of invited friends joined Mrs. Ford and the family at the Interment Service, including Vice President and Mrs. Richard Cheney, President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, former Secretary and Mrs. Rumsfeld, Ann Cullen, Len Nurmi, Penny Circle, Richard Norton Smith, Gregory Willard, Ann Willard, and Ms. Lilian Fisher. The 126th Army Band from the National Guard Unit based in Wyoming, Michigan
Wyoming, Michigan
Wyoming is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 72,125. That makes it the 2nd largest community or city in West Michigan, the 14th largest city in the state of Michigan, and the 18th largest community in the state as well...
performed during the Interment Service. A 21-gun salute
21-gun salute
Gun salutes are the firing of cannons or firearms as a military or naval honor.The custom stems from naval tradition, where a warship would fire its cannons harmlessly out to sea, until all ammunition was spent, to show that it was disarmed, signifying the lack of hostile intent...
was completed by the 119th Field Artillery Regiment, the only such unit in the state of Michigan. After the salute, a benediction was given. Three volleys from seven rifles were then fired, followed by the playing of "Taps
Taps
"Taps" is a musical piece sounded by the U.S. military nightly to indicate that it is "lights out". The tune is also sometimes known as "Butterfields Lullaby", or by the lyrics of its second verse, "Day is Done". It is also played during flag ceremonies and funerals, generally on bugle or trumpet...
" by Sergeant Major Woodrow English. As "Taps" was sounded, 21 F-15E's from Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
did a south-to-north missing man flyby
Missing man formation
The missing man formation is an aerial salute performed as part of a flyover of aircraft at a funeral or memorial event, typically in memory of a fallen pilot. The missing man formation is often called "the missing man flyby"...
of the casket just as the sun began to set on the western horizon. The flag over the casket was then folded and presented to Mrs. Ford by Vice President Cheney, at which point media coverage of the Interment Service, by prior request of the Ford family, concluded.
After the Interment Service, Mrs. Ford and her family and President Ford's brother, Dick Ford, spent a few moments at the casket and then proceeded inside the Museum. Vice President and Mrs. Cheney, President and Mrs. Carter, and former Secretary and Mrs. Rumsfeld approached the casket together for their final farewells. They then proceeded inside the Museum with Mrs. Ford. Lilian Fisher, Ann Cullen, Leonard Nurmi, Penny Circle, Richard Norton Smith, Gregory Willard, Ann Willard, Douglas "Chip" Emery, Richard Garbarino, Michael Wagner, Janice Hart, and Carol Buck were individually escorted to the casket. As a special tribute to First Sergeant Alvy Powell of the Army Chorus and his thirty years of friendship with President and Mrs. Ford, Sergeant Powell was escorted by Greg Willard to the casket where he paid his final respects. Honorary Pallbearers Martin Allen, Richard DeVos, Robert Hooker, Jack Nicklaus, Fred Meijer, Leon Parma, Dr. Mary Sue Coleman, David Frey, and the other Honorary Pallbearers and spouses then approached the casket, along with Shelli Archibald, Jordan Lewis, Lee Simmons, Jeannete Simmons, and other guests. Later that evening, members of the Army Chorus were accompanied by Michael Wagner to the casket, where each of them paid his respects.
Before departing Grand Rapids the following afternoon, Mrs. Ford and her family returned to President Ford's tomb. In front of the tomb was a large bouquet of flowers that had been prepared from individual flowers taken from bouquets and other floral tributes placed by members of the public earlier in the week.