Posted on 01/02/2007 5:41:07 AM PST by Mo1
WASHINGTON Gerald R. Ford leaves his beloved U.S. Capitol for the last time Tuesday as the period set aside for ordinary Americans to say goodbye gives way to an elaborate invitation-only funeral at the awe-inspiring Washington National Cathedral.
As the first order of business Tuesday, Ford's remains were being removed from the Rotunda to lie in repose briefly outside the Senate before leaving the Capitol where Ford served as a congressman for 25 years. As vice president, Ford also had the constitutional title of president of the Senate.
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We took our place along the first leg of the motorcade, that is the first road after exiting the airport. The ceremony at the airport was for invited guests only.
They were late to arrive to Grand Rapids. One of the reasons, it was reported, was that they detoured over Ann Arbor so that he could pass one last time over the Big House. Second, the Michigan marching band arrived from the Rose Bowl to be part of the airport ceremony. I haven't yet seen this, though I plan to, but they apparently played a rousing rendition of Hail to the Victors.
The street where we stood was lined as far as I could see in both directions. One of the Ford sons waved in our direction as they passed. It's about a 12 mile trip from the airport to the museum, friends watching on television tell me that the motorcade route was well lined.
I plan go to the museum later tonight where he will lie in repose until tomorrow at 11:00 am.
Did you or your husband happen to see Mr. Nicklaus walking out of that service at the Ford Museum this afternoon. Good to see some of President Ford's golf "buddies" there.
Thank you for your 'report' --- I thought of you all afternoon.
You can sign the guestbook!
I think C-SPAN is replaying the first service tonight and I hope they replay the service at the museum so you can see it. I loved the voice sand spoken words of the one woman (I think she might be your democrat governor).
Thank you, too, silent_jonny.
I have their names confused too, but they're all wonderful people.
Why was Chelsea there at all? I didn't see any other President's children.
The Clintons probably invited her themselves. They are such buttinskis.
That was Steven.
When I was young and dumb I used to watch The Young And The Restless.
He was on that soap at that time.
He was such a cutie.
Spectators watch as the hearse carrying former President Gerald R. Ford's casket makes its way to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Mich., Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. (AP Photo/Denis Paquin)
A boy scout troop from Middleville, Mich., salutes the hearse carrying former President Gerald Ford passes by from the airport to downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., Tuesday Jan. 2, 2007. (AP Photo/The Grand Rapids Pressm Chris Clark, Pool)
It was a gracious and impressive funeral, thanks to our military personnel. RIP President Ford and God Bless Betty Ford for standing alongside her husband all the way, when she must have been tired beyond belief.
Clinton from the looks of him. He looks as old as Carter or Bush 41 these days.
The fact that we had made him go back to the Russinas was widely publicized. The caring humanity of getting him out of there was not.....typical.
He's still pretty handsome :)
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