Ford Is Buried on Grounds Of Presidential Museum

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — President Ford was laid to rest on the grounds of his presidential museum yesterday after eight days of mourning and remembrance that spanned the country, from the California desert to the nation’s capital and back to Ford’s boyhood home.The sunset burial capped the official mourning for the 38th president, from services in California, to ceremonies at the nation’s capital, and a 17-hour viewing Tuesday night and yesterday at the museum in his hometown.At a graveside service that included a 21-gun salute and a 21-aircraft flyover, Vice President Cheney presented former first lady Betty Ford with the American flag that was draped over her husband’s casket.Earlier at the Ford family’s longtime church, Ford was remembered as a man not afraid to laugh, make tough decisions, or listen to the advice of his independent wife in eulogies delivered during a funeral at the church the couple attended for six decades.An honor guard carried the casket inside Grace Episcopal Church, where Ford’s defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, and Ford’s successor, President Carter, recalled his public service.His widow wiped away tears as she sat with the couple’s four children and more than 300 dignitaries and family friends, including Mr. Cheney and golfing legend Jack Nicklaus.“He was one of us,” Mr. Rumsfeld said, “And that made him special and needed in a dark and dangerous hour for our nation.”Mr. Rumsfeld, who recently left his post as President Bush’s defense secretary, remembered Ford as a courageous and steady leader who healed the nation after Watergate. Mr. Rumsfeld said the Navy is considering naming a new aircraft carrier after Ford, a Navy veteran. A decision is expected later this month. “How fitting it would be that the name Gerald R. Ford will patrol the high seas for decades to come in defense of the nation he loved so much,” he said.Mr. Carter described the close personal friendship he and Ford developed over the years.“I relished his sound advice,” Mr. Carter said as his wife, Rosalynn, cried. “I want to thank my predecessor for all he did to heal our land.”Thousands of flag-waving mourners lined the roads under sunny skies as the motorcade bearing Ford’s casket traveled between his presidential museum in downtown Grand Rapids to the church, then back to the museum. Many of the mourners at the museum and lining the roads during his funeral procession yesterday wore Michigan hats and sweat shirts in his honor. Ford, who became president after President Nixon resigned, died December 26. He was 93.

Ford Is Buried on Grounds Of Presidential Museum

Ford Is Buried on Grounds Of Presidential Museum

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