Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(60,699 posts)
Tue Dec 27, 2022, 06:57 AM Dec 2022

On December 26, 2006, Gerald Ford died.

I never noticed until now that this group existed. This post belongs here.

Sun Dec 27, 2020: On December 26, 2006, Gerald Ford died.

I liked the guy. I liked the whole family.

Along with many other Alexandrians, I stood in the dark and the cold to see the motorcade carrying his casket from Andrews (AFB at the time, I think; now a Joint Base) to the U.S. Capitol via the George Washington Parkway. The Suitland Parkway is far more direct, but the Ford family lived in Alexandria for many years, so the motorcade took the long way.

When the VC-25A left DC after the funeral, it flew over Alexandria. I watched it fly west against a cold clear blue sky.

Death and state funeral of Gerald Ford



Gerald Ford's remains lie in state in the United States Capitol rotunda

Date: December 30, 2006 – January 3, 2007 (state funeral)
December 27, 2006 – January 25, 2007 (mourning period)

Location: Capitol Rotunda, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., U.S.
Participants: Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush; Members of the 109th United States Congress; Members-elect of the 110th United States Congress

On December 26, 2006, Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States, died at his home in Rancho Mirage, California at 6:45 p.m. local time (02:45, December 27, UTC). At 8:49 p.m. local time, President Ford's wife of 58 years, Betty Ford, issued a statement that confirmed his death: "My family joins me in sharing the difficult news that Gerald Ford, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather has passed away at 93 years of age. His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country." The causes of death listed on the subsequent death certificate were arteriosclerotic cerebrovascular disease and diffuse arteriosclerosis.

At the age of 93 years and 165 days, Ford was the longest-lived U.S. president in history until November 25, 2017, when his record was then surpassed by George H. W. Bush, who lived to be past 94 years.

Ford was the second president to die during the presidency of George W. Bush, as well as the second to die in the twenty-first century, the first being Ronald Reagan.

{snip}
4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
On December 26, 2006, Gerald Ford died. (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2022 OP
President Jimmy Carter is 98 nightwing1240 Dec 2022 #1
And he became close friends with his former opponent, Jimmy Carter Rhiannon12866 Dec 2022 #2
He wasn't eaten by wolves, was he? twodogsbarking Dec 2022 #3
Twenty-one gun salute on arrival of casket of former President Gerald Ford, December 30, 2006 mahatmakanejeeves Dec 2022 #4

nightwing1240

(1,996 posts)
1. President Jimmy Carter is 98
Tue Dec 27, 2022, 07:32 AM
Dec 2022

And of course Ford pardoned Nixon and was part of the Warren Commission. I did respect him and his family other than those two things.

Rhiannon12866

(221,226 posts)
2. And he became close friends with his former opponent, Jimmy Carter
Tue Dec 27, 2022, 07:58 AM
Dec 2022

Since President Carter had served as governor, he had no congressional experience, so former Representative and Minority Leader Ford was happy to advise him. And Gerald Ford also called on his close friend Jimmy Carter to deliver his eulogy. Jimmy Carter remembers that sad call in his autobiography.

mahatmakanejeeves

(60,699 posts)
4. Twenty-one gun salute on arrival of casket of former President Gerald Ford, December 30, 2006
Sat Dec 31, 2022, 10:14 AM
Dec 2022

Wed Dec 30, 2020: Twenty-one gun salute on arrival of casket of former President Gerald Ford, December 30, 2006

Twenty-one gun salute, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, on arrival of casket of former President Gerald Ford, December 30, 2006: #Bohrer


Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»American History»On December 26, 2006, Ger...