Gerald Ford - the quintessential decent man
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Gerald Ford - the quintessential decent man
I remember Gerald Ford very well. I remember Watergate, and how angry so many of us were, and how pleased we were when President Nixon resigned. I remember how angry so many were when President Ford pardoned Nixon. I have come to believe, however, as so many have said, that Ford giving the pardon helped to heal this nation, and saved us possibly years of anger and frustration - and an incredible burden of cost in Congressional effort and dollars.
I don't remember anyone ever saying anything negative about Jerry Ford, other than joking about his many trips and falls - which made him only more human and more likeable. I think he was probably the most decent, ethical and moral man to be President in my life-time, and probably for all of the 20th century.
Ginny, I am a bit overwhelmed at this point because I live here in Grand Rapids where Mr. Ford is currently lying in repose and where he will be buried. There has been an enormous amount of attention today focused on this city. The local news agencies have been carrying the events live all day long, and aired the arrival ceremony at the airport that bears his name. My dh works right next to the airport, and I am sure that he heard the 21-gun salute. The news followed the motorcade from the airport all the way to the museum that also bears his name, and I will be taking my son down there later this evening to view the casket and take this once in a lifetime opportunity to say goodbye.
I was only 4 when Ford was plopped into the Oval Office chair by the Grace of God, so I don't remember much about that time. I do remember the election of 76 when I was in first grade. Our school held a mock election and naturally Ford won by a landslide. I was confused when I saw Jimmy Carter accepting the win, and my mom had to set me straight and tell me that the one we had at school was a pretend election. Boy, was I mad!
Lisa, I love your depiction of how President Ford was "plopped into the Oval Office chair by the Grace of God".  Very profound. And yes, Ginny and Lisa, I agree with you 100%. He WAS a VERY decent man. He was the right man at the right time. A very REAL person, with no pretense, both he and Mrs.Ford. She had her own trials, with breast cancer, and her battles with addiction. Due to her candor and generosity, countless other people have been helped through the Betty Ford Center.
President Ford was the butt of many jokes in the 70's about his trips and falls, especially by Chevy Chase on Saturday Night Live. I was 26 years old when he took office, so I remember the whole Watergate mess. I stood in line with a five month old baby (my Danny) in 1976, to vote for Mr. Ford.
My heart broke watching Mrs. Ford at her husband's casket, as well as his children and grandchildren. She is a very classy lady. She reminded me of Mrs. Reagan a few years ago.
Well, I just got back from the viewing. Yes, at about 3 AM I finally walked in the door and dh was very relieved as he was worried something had happened.
I had heard that people had begun lining up around 10 AM to be the first in to view the casket, so I waited until about 9:30 PM to go because I was afraid I wouldn't find a parking spot, and I don't know my way around downtown very well. I found a good spot, though, in the same parking garage we usually go to when we go downtown.
The line was supposed to start in the DeVos Place, an expo center just across the river from the museum where President Ford lies in repose. But by golly, the line snaked around 4 blocks around town. We (ds and I) were in line 2 full hours before we even got to the DeVos Place, and then inside, the line snaked around through the entire place and took another 2 hours to get through. But at least we were indoors and out of the chilly night air. But Kudos to the DeVos Place for providing free water.
After signing the guestbook, we were off on the home stretch. All in all, our trek had taken us across the river 4 times. It was 2:30 AM when we walked by the casket.
The whole room was totally silent as soon as we entered it. Not one whisper, not one sound. Just respect, pure and simple.
I told my son that, even though he may not appreciate it now, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of history, for his casket will no longer be visible once he is buried, and we got to say goodbye to a great president and a great man who called Grand Rapids his home. But it was kindof like Debbie said in the "Christmas Letdown" post, about spending all this time preparing for one big moment, and in a flash, it's gone. So, when I asked my son if he felt it was worth the wait, he couldn't really decide. I said "In a few years, you will understand."
Then we had to walk 2-1/2 blocks back to the car.....
Wow! Even for yourself to be able to say that you were present. Very humbling. I'm glad that you and your DS got to go.
The casket was closed, right? Were there military people standing guard? How close could you get?
Yes, it was closed and draped with an American flag. There were four guards, one at each corner of the casket. I would say we came within about 4 or 5 feet of it.
Here is the local news webpage with a picture of the repose and people filing past the casket. they say that more than 60,000 people went through, but the offical count is actually 57,000.
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5882141
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