Former President Ford Dies

Republican_Man · **Wed Dec 27, 2006 1:00 am Former President Ford Dies**

JUST BREAKING: President Gerald Ford has died.

I don't have any articles on this yet, but this is just breaking on TV. It's sad. The second former president to die in three years. It was inevitable, though, but yeah...

RIP, President Ford.

Founder · **Wed Dec 27, 2006 1:02 am**

Here is an article on it.

It's sad he died. May he R.I.P.

Defiant · **Wed Dec 27, 2006 2:12 am**

I saw it come in on CNN. Its just a lot about how he healed the nation after Watergate. They don't even say anything about the rest of his presidency besides that. It is quite disappointing. Then again, he didn't really do anything extremely amazing, so thats that. RIP.

Lord Borg · **Wed Dec 27, 2006 9:35 pm**

I'm sorry to hear that. He had a nice long life though, may he RIP.

TrekkieMage · **Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:17 pm**

May he rest in peace. I don't know much about his presidency, but I sincerely wish the best for his family.

Defiant · **Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:27 pm**

He took over when Nixon resigned after Watergate. He gave Nixon a complete pardon, and caught a lot of flak at the time for it, but now it is seen as the best option, so the nation wouldn't have to continue the ordeal. He worked to get the troops home from Vietnam. There were many assassination attempts on him and he lost the elections in 1976 to Jimmy Carter.

Republican_Man · **Thu Dec 28, 2006 1:41 am**

lol, yeah, that's the Ford years in a nutshell. And the attempts were actually two, during the latter portion of his brief presidency.

La Forge · **Thu Dec 28, 2006 2:43 am**

While I personally didn't find him to be a good President, from what I've read and heard about him, I hope he rests in peace.

Though, I'll give him this. He was the only President from the U.S. to be born or raised in Michigan.

Rest in peace, President Ford.

Republican_Man · **Thu Dec 28, 2006 2:51 am**

I abhor the presidency of Carter like few others, and disdain Clinton, believing him to be a horrible human being, yet regardless of that fact, I'd still hope they both rest in peace upon their deaths.

I don't think Ford was altogether a good president, but he did some good things for this country in its time of need.

Puck · The Texan Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 5596

I think that Ford was a good president under the time and conditions he served. I think in general, he did the right things throughout his presidency. May he rest peacefully.

Republican_Man · **Sat Dec 30, 2006 6:04 pm**

The state funeral is apparently to take place tonight.

Republican_Man · **Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:36 pm**

Note to everyone:

Coverage of the funeral for Former President Gerald Ford has begun on all networks; the President's casket is approaching the WWII Memorial.

Lord Borg · **Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:45 pm**

Thanks for the notice, RM. Did you see the rather... LARGE escort? WOW....

Republican_Man · **Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:50 pm**

Republican_Man · **Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:13 pm**

In a fantastic military ceremony (I think the 21-gun salute),

President Ford's casket has arrived at the US Capitol and is now being removed from the Hearse.

Republican_Man · **Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:46 pm**

Apologies for three posts in a row. I was hoping somebody else would post after me because I wanted to make this update post. Here goes:

President Ford's casket has paused and lied in repose outside the House Chamber of the US Capitol. This was the wish of President Ford, a true man of the House. As a show of poetic irony, if you will, the House Chair can be seen. As a Congressman Ford always aspired to become the Speaker of the House. He even considered retirement when it seemed as though that would be improbable, which it was.

The Ford family has met with House leaders.

The President's funeral procession, including the casket, has passed through Statuary Hall.

The casket has proceeded to the Capitol Rotunda for display, where it now lies on the Lincoln Catafalque, guarded by military personal and surrounded by a great number of people.

And, finally,
The actual state funeral ceremony has begun with a prayer given by the House Chaplain, followed by "God Bless America," sung by the US Navy Sea Chanters.

This is a powerful scene, I gotta say.

EDIT: William Broomfield of Michigan, a House colleague of President Ford, has fainted. The memorial was temporarily paused and Senator Bill Frist, himself a physician, along with another, treated the fallen congressman.

Eulogies have begun, starting with Senator Ted Stevens, the President Pro-Temprore.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert has presented his Eulogy.

Vice-President Dick Cheney has presented quite a moving speech.

Three wreaths have been placed at the coffin and another prayer has been given by the Senate Chaplain.

UPDATE: In an action reminiscent of Nancy Reagan, Betty Ford has given a prayer at the coffin and the rotations around the coffin are now beginning in full.

Congressman Broomfield is currently recovering in the House medical room, where 7 doctors are tending to him.

Defiant · **Sat Dec 30, 2006 11:17 pm**

I watched a few minutes at the beginning of it, and they were introducing people. They didn't introduce Bush...was he there?

Lord Borg · **Sat Dec 30, 2006 11:23 pm**

I didn't see the president, nor the first lady...

Republican_Man · **Sat Dec 30, 2006 11:45 pm**

They were not there. I forget the reason for that, but they will both apparently be there for the next ceremony on Tuesday, at which the President will speak.

Lord Borg · **Sat Dec 30, 2006 11:49 pm**

Presidental Duties?

It was a nice ceramony. Well put together. The respect given to the family is just amazing, and the Military escort for the coffin is just...wow.

TrekkieMage · **Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:17 am**

Republican_Man · **Sun Dec 31, 2006 12:29 am**

Ziona · **Sun Dec 31, 2006 2:37 am**

I live in Grand Rapids for the school year so I'll be able to visit his final resting place at the hill overlooking the museum. I go to the museum quite often.

I got to watch the funeral today on television and I'm really glad I did watch it. Things like this, I think, are things I'll be telling my grandchildren about. I mean, they're such important but sad moments in history.

Republican_Man · **Sun Dec 31, 2006 3:57 pm**

Lucky you! And yeah, it's definitely a "grandchild story" moment.

And the pilgrimage continues!

Lord Borg · **Sun Dec 31, 2006 4:31 pm**

I watched most of the Funeral, but I was playing a game and chatting at the same time, so...right.