As an officer of the United States Navy during World War II, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. could not have known he would be a popular twelve term Congressman from Michigan, nor did he aspire to be the President of the United States. But Ford had an appointment with destiny and with history. Over time, his colleagues and political opponents came to describe Ford as a moral man of great integrity who possessed an unparalleled sense of duty.
The “Accidental President,” was so named after he was sworn in following Watergate and numerous other scandals that rocked the Nixon Administration. With the conflict in Vietnam still costing thousands of American lives and revelation after revelation about corruption and political chicanery in the Washington Post, combined with the resignation of then-Vice President Spiro Agnew in abject disgrace, Nixon needed a man who could be confirmed by the Democrat-led US Senate. He needed a designated hitter to save America’s sense of self.
Gerald Ford’s brief tenure as President was marked by pragmatism, realism and a moral and principled core. He managed America’s disgust with the Nixon administration and our grief over the Vietnam War. In a speech to the nation immediately following his swearing the Oath of Office, President Ford eloquently remarked: “My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works. Our great republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule. I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your president by your ballots. So I ask you to confirm me with your prayers.”
Honesty, simplicity and modesty marked Gerald Ford’s life and career. Beginning at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California, the State Funeral will reflect his career as a Congressman, as Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, his personal sense of humility, as well as the military honors befitting a Navy Officer and Commander in Chief. Led by Military District Washington (MDW), the Joint Force Headquarters of the National Capital Region will coordinate logistics and render honors under the direction of Major General Guy Swan, III, Commanding General of MDW.
The ceremonial units of the Honor Guard are comprised of the US Army 3rd Infantry Old Guard, the US Navy Ceremonial Guard, the US Air Force Honor Guard, the US Marine Corps from Marine Barracks 8th & I, and the US Coast Guard Ceremonial Guard. These units are permanent commands in Military District Washington, populated by expertly trained individuals whose presence guided the State Funerals of Presidents Eisenhower, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and most recently President Ronald Reagan in 2004.
Article comments
1 - Bliffle
I think all the overblown rhetoric about how Ford saved the nation is becoming very irritating. For example:
"Nixon needed a man who could be confirmed by the Democrat-led US Senate. He needed a designated hitter to save America’s sense of self. "
Nixon picked a guy he knew would pardon him. He had no such noble sounding idea.
Americas sense of self was just fine, but all this bloviating was invented to serve the purposes of Nixon supporters and a few republican partisans by spreading the concern to the general public. To involve in the personal crisis of those few a greater assemblage of other people in order to dilute their own complicity in refusing to confront Nixon excesses. They sought to absolve Nixon (and themselves) of guilt by laying responsibility wider among the US citizenry.
By accepting their proposition one concludes that the discontent of the era was a communal phenomena, not the act of a renegade and his cohorts who violated American society and law.
2 - Sylvia Muffaleto
From Bob Woodward's article:
Pres. Ford: "I looked upon [Nixon] as my personal friend. And I always treasured our relationship. And I had no hesitancy about granting the pardon, because I felt that we had this relationship and that I didn't want to see my real friend have the stigma."
Yeah, that sounds like he did it to save the country from its "long national nightmare" of a few months.
3 - SHARK
I paid a lot of attention to politics at the time (1960s-70s) -- and I remember him for only a few things;
1) HE PARDONED THAT CRIMINAL FUCK NIXON.
2) Squeeky Fromm
3) He fell down a lot.
4) He had a cute, perky little alcoholic wife.
--- um, that's it. It's a slow news week when the public and the media start frothing over the loss of such a "great" mediocre, accidental President who did little more than pardon his ex-boss.
THEN...
the news comes out about the WOODWARD interview with Ford from TWO YEARS AGO. Ford explicitly criticizes BUSH, CHENEY, and RUMSFELD on the Iraq Farce, but also -- get this...
ASKS THAT IT REMAIN SECRET UNTIL HE'S DEAD.
FUCK GERALD FORD. He could have been a MAN with some integrity --and added to the dialogue on Iraq -- perhaps expediting our withdrawal -- and saving some AMERICAN LIVES.
FUCK FORD. His final act was a that of a selfish CHICKENSHIT.
4 - Media Lizzy
What a classy bunch. President Ford was a dignified, honest man. All the vulgar language is neither persuasive, nor appropriate. But please...by all means, continue.
5 - Silas Kain
And one wonders what happened to civility in American politics and society. I nominate the five members of Congress who chose to attend the Ford arrival last night as candidaates for the American Medal of Freedom. The remainder and the Members of the Senate and the sitting pretender to the Oval Office proved just how much America meant to them last night. Their failure to pay proper homage (though it s a Holiday weekend) is proof positive that Patriotism is nothing but a cliche in the hallowed halls.
Where have you gone, Che Guevara? America needs your guidance.
6 - Bliffle
Medals don't get passed out for simply attending a party ceremony, do they? Because that is what Ford was, a party hack to the end. His loyalty did not extend beyond his party to his country. Witness his final act, criticizing the Iraq Invasion, which he withheld, thus clearly demonstrating that he valued party above country. "My party, right or wrong", seems to be his credo.