A Day in the Life of President Bush (photos): 1.2.07

yahoo.com, whitehouse.gov ^ | Tuesday January 2, 2007 | GretchenM

[GretchenM]

On this "National Day of Mourning throughout the United States," President and Mrs. Bush attended the funeral service for former President Gerald Ford at the National Episcopal Cathedral in DC today. President Bush was among those asked to eulogize (text and webcast at this link) his predecessor.

Henry Kissinger's eulogy was very informative about the international achievements of Ford's presidency. I've been looking for the text but haven't found it so far. If anyone does, please post it or link it on this Dose.

Goodbye, President Ford. Thank you
for your faith in Christ that helped bind
up and heal the wounds of this land
when we were riven and bleeding.

[Wolfstar]

Hi Wolfie - hope you're not working too hard! How is the job?

The job is good, Gretchen. Thanks for asking. No complaints, 'cause it's always better to be working than not. :)

[pollyannaish]

Yep. But the red shoes have the right attitude. :-D

I'm such a fan!

[GretchenM]

Absolutely gorgeous photo and sentiment, Ali. Thank you. It says it all.

As Charles Gibson or David Gergen said on ABC this morning as the service was about to begin, unless you had lived through those years (Vietnam and Watergate), it really is hard to understand how divisive the times were. I would add: crazy, chaotic, confusing, filled with hate and hostility and much worse. We were destroying one another with riots, fires, racial tensions that erupted in ugly street wars; the youth movement against the war was a shock for its novelty and brutality ... the drug scene ... the WH protesters ... I wouldn't have wanted to be president during that time.

[snugs]

I saw him among the ceremonial pall bearers. The only one who actually sat with their wife was the Vice President all the others sat together from what I saw.

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you. I even watched a replay a while ago and didn't recall seeing him.

[McGavin999]

He was there, I don't recall seeing where he was sitting, but I saw him with the other honorary pall bearers before the casket went into the church so he was probably in that pew along with Baker, Cheney and Kissinger.

[snugs]

That is true though it is going to be a cultural shock for me going in tomorrow after about 11 - 12 days.

Fortunately only short week so ease back into it 2 1/2 days as we only work 5 hours on Friday. That is one thing I do love about my working hours though we have to work slightly longer/get in earlier Monday - Thursday the leaving at between 1 - 2 on Friday is great it makes the weekend seem so much longer.

[snugs]

Here you go

Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (2nd L) looks up during the state funeral of former U.S. President Gerald Ford at the National Cathedral in Washington January 2, 2007. Pictured from left are former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Rumsfeld, former Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan and former Secretary of State James Baker

[snugs]

Interesting in that row Baker is only one with a blue tie the others have black

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you, snugs! I missed that. He really looks bereft, like his best friend left him. He was all choked up when he finally first viewed the casket in the Rotunda as well.

Don't anyone take this the wrong way, but Ford's state funeral is becoming almost longer than his presidency. Tomorrow's the last day.

[pollyannaish]

Your right! He must have something against matching. LOL.

[snugs]

I suppose that is because of the New Year holiday plus also maybe they did not want the funeral in Grand Rapids to be held in the evening probably thought the traveling etc would be too much for family members especially Mrs Ford.

I always thought holding the Reagan one in the evening was a terrible strain on everyone who attended both services and in particular Mrs Reagan.

[snugs]

[GretchenM]

Thanks for the link to the Susan Ford interview. There is a lot of very interesting information in it.

[La Enchiladita]

When Betty Ford gets back to CA, she will probably sleep a lot. She does very well on those high heels for 88 years. Of course, the Queen Mum was wearing her pumps when she was over 100... Wow!

[GretchenM]

Excellent commentary and analyses of the two funerals, polly.

I expect to outlive bubba and the peanut farmer. How much time I'm going to be able to devote to hearing the homilies -- I may need a cast iron stomach to manage that.

[ohioWfan]

Son was in High School and youngest daughter in Jr. High when they went with others in our church to Detroit to Aquire the Fire.

They came back and they said President Ford was there and spoke (he had to be in his upper eighties then), and I thought, how cool is that?! Praise the Lord!

We're going to have some interesting conversations in Glory, aren't we? :)

[GretchenM]

I can only hope that Slick doesn't get giddy over the riderless horse with boots reversed, Lincoln's caisson, and all that goes with it.

The thought of our military members having to haul that casket around, stand at attention, salute his corpse ... honor him who gave them hate and death and insolence ... it's just too painful. Those who draw the short straws on that duty, well, they will be soldiers indeed.

[sissyjane]

>> who was jerk off that claim that Nancy Reagan never gone along with Bush family who was that dude Edward something what moron

Suck part about this photo guess who in photo HILL BEAST YUK with Wed Huball daughter Chelesa Hubball Clinton<<

Good golly---I think you may be on the wrong thread.....

[GretchenM]

I would have thought that instructions would have been issued as to what was expected to be worn though maybe they did not think it was necessary to say that dark coats are normal at funerals.

We are so individualistic here, snugs -- I have never seen a uniform style of dress for any public occasion (not counting military dress) for anything but weddings here. There may be, but I can't recall seeing it. People generally do wear black to funerals but not always, as you see. Even Lynne Cheney's wearing a blue suit (which seems less distracting than Baker's cream colored overcoat and red scarf).