Live Thread: Funeral of President Gerald Ford (Arrival at the Capitol)

www.freerepublic.com | December 30, 2006

[Howlin]

The President's plane is arriving at Andrews Air Force Base at this moment.

[Mo1]

FNC just reported the President will pay his respects later today

Also .. You were correct .. it was Jack Ford and his wife greeting the public

Jack Ford puts his arm around his wife Juliann Ford as they view the casket of his father, former U.S. President Gerald Ford, in the rotunda at the U.S. Capitol as it lies in state in Washington December 31, 2006. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)

Jack Ford (2nd R) and his wife Juliann Ford (R) greet the public as they arrive to view the casket of his father, former U.S. President Gerald Ford, in the rotunda at the U.S. Capitol as it lies in state in Washington December 31, 2006. REUTERS/Jim Young (UNITED STATES)

And that look on Michael's face that everyone was complaining he gave to VP Cheney .. here is a later picture and he has the same look .. which leads me to the impression that Saturday night had nothing to do with Cheney and everything to do with a man who lost his beloved father and wanted to support his mother in her time of sorrow

Michael Ford, the son of former President Gerald R. Ford, places his hand on the flag draped casket of his father as it lays in state in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Jan. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Here is Steven

Steve Ford, the son of former U.S. President Gerald Ford, reaches out to touch his father's casket as his body lies in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington December 31, 2006. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES)

Steven Ford, son of former President Gerald R. Ford, sits with his head in his hands after he visited the casket of his father, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

and Susan

Susan Ford Bales, daughter of former U.S. President Gerald Ford, lays her hand on her father's casket as it lies in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington January 1, 2007. Her husband Vaden Bales (2nd R) and brother Mike Ford (R) are also pictured. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES)

Susan Ford Bales, the daughter of former President Gerald R. Ford, center, is hugged by an unidentified mourner who viewed the flag draped casket of her father as it lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Jan. 1, 2007. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

[txrangerette]

Grief, exhaustion, the responsibility of an eldest son towards his mother, and he is also a Minister. Did you know he was at his father's bedside when he died, and that he administered last rites according to the Episcopal Church?

And the weight of trying to console his mother while dealing with his own grief... I'm sure he felt his place was at her side as she approached the casket. I'm just sorry the wires were crossed somehow, that VP Cheney was trying to escort her there and something happened that was very unfortunuate.

But you are right. people interpreted that look as one deep anger toward Cheney. But if he still has the look, then it's overwhelming grief and exhaustion and the weight of helping his 88 yr. old mother, I say.

And thank you so much for posting those pictures...they speak volumes.

[Mercat]

uh oh, here comes Brokaw. slimeball.

[Theodore R.]

Absolutely, funerals are for the LIVING.

[Theodore R.]

Brokaw is a Democrat, was registered that way in SD at one time, I believe.

[Theodore R.]

Wasn't Susan Ford Bales married at one time to an older man named "Vance"? Is she divorced or widowed?

[khnyny]

The clergyman who spoke at the Ford funeral just now, (approx. 11:30 am EST) took the opportunity to make a political statement re the church and alluded to the fact that Ford was somehow in support of the new "changes" in the church such as female priests and gay bishops and that Ford didn't see that this should cause "divisiveness" in the church. It was enough to make me puke. What a liberal opportunist, and totally inappropriate at this State funeral.

[Mercat]

I agree. Ministers are usually politicians and this one would certainly be but at least Vicky Jean wasn't there.

[khnyny]

The gross inappropriateness of this "clergyman's" comments really took a lot of nerve on his part. What a complete turnoff. If I was Betty Ford or any member of the Ford family, I would really be upset by this guy's manipulative use of the pulpit at my family member's funeral. As a citizen of the US, I am actually disgusted by what this guy said at a State funeral of a former POTUS.

[sporkgoddess]

My mom said that some opera singer sang the Our Father... does anyone know who it was? I'm curious.

[Mercat]

I don't know who sang the Our Father but my nephew, who is the one who sings it at our family events, is much much better.

[tuckrdout]

Sorry, not a comment on the minister; but I came to this thread wondering if anyone else saw clinton LICK HIS FINGER AND RUB HIS EYES!! Trying to look moist eyed, I suppose. He is out of practice.

It was perfectly caught on tape....someone must have the video! I wish I had recorded it! I believe it was when Kissinger was speaking...

[publana]

Then your nephew must be unbelievably good since this was the most beautiful rendition I have ever heard.

[Mercat]

He is very very good. And I thought she was a bit sharp.

[Mercat]

He is very very good. And I thought she was a bit sharp.

[SmoothTalker]

"uh oh, here comes Brokaw. slimeball."

I don't like the man but I thought he did a very good job today. His eulogy was a good one. Even brought some smiles to the face of Mrs. Ford.