| Death And State Funeral Of Gerald Ford |
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''', issued a statement that confirmed his death1, yet no cause of death has been released to date. Mrs. Ford's statement was released by President Ford's office. President Ford's body was taken to Eisenhower Medical Center where it remained until the start of State 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. TRIBUTES Mrs. Ford said in a brief statement issued from her husband's office in Rancho Mirage: President George W. Bush said in a written statement: 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 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 .2 In Great Britain, the Union Jack At Buckingham Palace was flown at half-staff on December 28 . 3 FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS 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 Funeral s, assisted President Ford and the Ford family in development of the Funeral plans for President Ford. The MDW liaison for the Ford family during the planning of President Ford's funeral was Mr. Michael D. Wagner, Chief, State Funeral Plans and Operations at MDW. 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. Mr. Willard coordinated planning and implementation of the overall state funeral plan as personal representative of President and Mrs. Ford and their family. The press briefing was also attended by Barbara Owens, spokesperson for MDW, and the Riverside County Sheriff. 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. 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. 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 , 2006 . Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn accompanied Mrs. 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.Kornblut, Anne E., "Ford Arranged His Funeral to Reflect Himself and Drew In a Former Adversary", ''The New York Times'', 28 December 2006 , page A21 At the conclusion 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. Security measures The Department Of Homeland Security (DHS) designated the Washington phase of the state funeral as a National Special Security Event (NSSE).http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1167323576041.shtm EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA On , 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 . 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. 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 enroute to the Capitol, rather than having the sometimes utilized horse-drawn Caisson . 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 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. 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 . 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. NATIONAL FUNERAL SERVICE As the casket was removed from the hearse, the military band played "Hail to the Chief." The service The Christian service strictly followed Episcopal liturgy "Burial of the Dead, Rite I." 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 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.Some of the music that was played during various services included four Ruffles And Flourishes , " Hail To The Chief ", "O God, Our Help in Ages Past", " America, The Beautiful ", " All Hail The Power Of Jesus' Name ", ”The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” ” The Lord's Prayer ,” "Holy Ghost with Light Divine", " Abide With Me ", "Soul of My Savior", " Nearer, My God, To Thee ", " Holy, Holy, Holy ", " Going Home ", " The Yellow And Blue ", " The Victors ", " Amazing Grace ", "Crown Him With Many Crowns", " Fairest Lord Jesus ", " A Mighty Fortress Is Our God ", " Battle Hymn Of The Republic ", " God Bless America ", " Faith Of Our Fathers ", and " The Star-Spangled Banner ." Readings and eulogies 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 . 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 . 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. Also attending were presidential children Tricia Nixon Cox ,4 Doro 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 the Mrs. Ford and the Ford family for his distinguished service on the Court. Also seated with the Ford family were Mrs. Happy Rockefeller and her son, Nelson Rockefeller, Jr., as well as Senator John Warner and his wife, Jeanne. 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 . EVENTS IN MICHIGAN 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 as captain of 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 plane to the waiting hearse. President Ford's remains were 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 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, comprised of President Ford's championship high school football team. On Tuesday night ( January 2 ), Ford laid in repose in the lobby of the museum where an estimated 67,000 mourners, despite the cold winter temperatures, stood in lines of up to 6 hours in order to pay their respects 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 private service at Grace Episcopal Church took place on January 3 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, and Richard Norton Smith (former Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum and a close personal friend of President Ford). 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 "On Eagle's Wings", along with a solo by First Sergeant Alvy Powell. After the church service, the 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 all music during the Interment Service at the Museum. 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 seven rifles were then fired, followed by a bugler playing " Taps ." As "Taps" were sounded, 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, 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, followed Lilian Fisher, Ann Cullen, Len Nurmi, Penny Circle, Richard Norton Smith, Gregory Willard, Ann Willard, Douglas Emery, and Michael Wagner. As a special tribute to his thirty years of friendship with President and Mrs. Ford, First Sergeant Alvy Powell of the Army Chorus was then escorted by Gregory Willard to the casket to pay 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. Later that evening, members of the Army Chorus were accompanied by Michael Wagner to the casket, where each of them paid his respects. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070102/NEWS99/70102018 http://www.mdw.army.mil/content/anmviewer.asp?a=1875&z=104 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. REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
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