Death and state funeral of Gerald Ford

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Betty Ford kneels in prayer at the casket of her late husband, Gerald Ford, as he lies in state. The Ford children, left to right, are Jack, Susan, Michael, and Steven.

Gerald Ford died on December 26, 2006 at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, at 6:45 p.m. local time (02:45, December 27, UTC).^[1]^[2] At 8:49 p.m., Ford's wife, Betty Ford, issued a statement that confirmed his death^[3], yet no cause of death has been released to date. The statement was released from Eisenhower Medical Center where Gerald Ford's body had been taken and remained until the start of funeral services on December 29. Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States, serving from August 9, 1974 until January 20, 1977. At the time of his death, Ford was 93 years and 165 days old, making him the longest-lived United States President.

1 Tributes
- 1.1 Tributes from world leaders
2 Funeral arrangements
- 2.1 Security measures
3 Events in California
4 Events in Washington
- 4.1 Capitol Hill events
- 4.2 Public viewing
5 National funeral service
6 Events in Michigan
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Tributes

Mrs. Ford said in a brief statement issued from her husband's office in Rancho Mirage:

“

My family joins me in sharing the difficult news that Gerald Ford, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather has passed away at 93 years of age. His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country.

”

President Bush said in a written statement:

“

Laura and I are greatly saddened by the passing of former President Gerald R. Ford. President Ford was a great American who gave many years of dedicated service to our country. On August 9, 1974, after a long career in the House of Representatives and service as Vice President, he assumed the Presidency in an hour of national turmoil and division. With his quiet integrity, common sense, and kind instincts, President Ford helped heal our land and restore public confidence in the Presidency. The American people will always admire Gerald Ford's devotion to duty, his personal character, and the honorable conduct of his administration. We mourn the loss of such a leader, and our 38th President will always have a special place in our Nation's memory. On behalf of all Americans, Laura and I offer our deepest sympathies to Betty Ford and all of President Ford's family. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them in the hours and days ahead.^[4]

”

[edit] Tributes from world leaders

There were also tributes from both American and foreign leaders, including the living former American presidents: Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, and Ford's former Chief of Staff, Vice President Dick Cheney.

Foreign leaders who paid tribute included Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Czech President Vaclav Klaus and German President Horst Köhler. Harper ordered all flags across Canada flown to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on January 2, 2007, in sympathy with the USA's national day of mourning.^[5] In Great Britain, the Union Jack at Buckingham Palace was flown at half-staff. ^[6]

[edit] Funeral arrangements

Ford is honored during a memorial service in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., December 30, 2006.

The Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR)/Military District of Washington (MDW), which oversees the military and cermonial portions of state funerals, assisted President Ford and the Ford family in development of the funeral plans for President Ford. The family chose to have a state funeral and related services conducted in three phases, with interment in a previously selected hillside crypt next to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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 D. Willard, President Ford's personal attorney and former White House aide, who also coordinated planning and implementation of the state funeral plan as personal representative of President and Mrs. Ford and their family. At the press briefing, also attended by representatives of MDW and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, a personal statement from Mrs. Betty Ford was read, and details of the three phases of the state funeral were presented and discussed.

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.

As a mark of honor, Ford's Casket was flown to Washington, and then on to Grand Rapids aboard the VC-25A Presidential Aircraft, which normally serves as Air Force One. The Hearse used to carry 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.^[7]

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn accompanied Betty Ford and the Ford family aboard the aircraft from Washington, DC to Grand Rapids. 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.^[8] At the conclusions of the Interment Service, Vice President Cheney presented the American flag to Betty Ford.

Army Major General Guy C. Swan III, commanding general of the MDW (CG MDW) and JFHQ-NCR, escorted Betty Ford.

Some 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, and the Chaplain of the Navy reading the Prayers during the Funeral Service at the National Cathedral.

[edit] Security measures

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated the funeral as a National Special Security Event (NSSE).^[9]

[edit] Events in California

On December 29, 2006, the casket was transported by motorcade from Eisenhower Medical 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. 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. 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 enroute to Washington D.C..

[edit] 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 Base 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.

Hearse with Ford's body pauses at the World War II Memorial

Female alumni 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 enroute to the Capitol, rather than having the sometimes utilized horse-drawn caisson. Another major reason for just the hearse was the season: it was dark and during the winter.

[edit] Capitol Hill events

Upon arrival at the Capitol 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 unprecendented 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 Congress, the United States Supreme Court, and members of the diplomatic corps and others, paid their respects during the next half hour.

[edit] 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 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. Ford's casket was taken from the Rotunda to Senate side of the Capitol where he laid in repose for a short period, signaling his time 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.

[edit] National funeral service

Funeral of President Ford in the National Cathedral.

As the casket was removed from the hearse, the military band played "Hail to the Chief."

The service ^[10] in the National Cathedral was officially entitled, "In Celebration of and Thanksgiving for the Life of GERALD RUDOLPH FORD, 1913-2006."

[edit] 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 Graves. The congregation sang the hymn, "For All the Saints". All selections had been chosen by President Ford when he planned his own funeral. Musical selections chosen by former President Ford are included below as a footnote.^[11]

[edit] Readings and eulogies

President George W. Bush gives a eulogy at President Gerald Ford's national funeral service

Ford was eulogized by former President George H.W. Bush (director of the U.S. Liaison Office in Beijing 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.

[edit] Dignitaries

All living presidents and their spouses (Carter, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush) attended the funeral, as well as former First Lady Nancy Reagan. Also attending were presidential children Doro Bush Koch and Chelsea Clinton. Former first lady Lady Bird Johnson who was unable to attend because of poor health and mobility problems, was represented by her daughter Lynda Bird Johnson Robb, at Ford's funeral.

[edit] Events in Michigan

President Ford's Tomb located on the grounds of his Museum.

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 took a slight detour in order to fly over Ford's alma mater, the University of Michigan and Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, where Ford played college football 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 as Ford's body was transferred from the plane to the waiting hearse. Ford's body was then taken by motorcade to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids where the presidents of the University of Michigan and Yale University, representing Ford's college education, laid wreaths, the mayor of Grand Rapids gave the invocation, and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm spoke.

On Tuesday night (January 2), Ford laid in repose in the lobby of the museum where an estimated 65,000 mourners stood in lines of up to 6 hours in order to view his casket. A private service at Grace Episcopal Church took place on January 3 in East Grand Rapids. After the conclusion of the church service, the former President's remains were transported back to the museum and carried to his burial spot on the grounds. 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 performed by Rev. Certain. Three volleys from 7 rifles were then fired, followed by a bugler playing "Taps." At the same time the "Taps" was blown, 21 F-15E's from Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina did a south-to-north flyover. The flag over the casket was then folded and presented to Mrs. Ford by Vice President Cheney. The 126th Army Band from the National Guard Unit based in Wyoming, Michigan performed all music during the Interment Service at the museum. ^[12] ^[13]