One of my very good friends lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. So as soon I heard (yes, I didn't already know...) that President Ford was from there, I immediately called her and asked her if she was going to the funeral. And if she was .. could she please share the experience with me. So she did. It's a bit long. But really "takes you there". I Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Although I was only four years old when Gerald R. Ford became President of the United States and don't remember any of it, I couldn't help but watch the events on TV.  ... I had not known the man, but somehow felt the West Michigan connection to him as so many thousands around here did also.  And I was so proud. 

He reminded me so much of my grandfather who had passed away several years ago.  And it made me miss him.  His work ethic, his commitment to God, his boyhood in Grand Rapids, his love of dogs, his golf game (although my grandpa may have been a little better!), his love for his wife and children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren.  Not to mention he was such a strikingly handsome young man! My grandpa even met him once, shaking his hand.  I believe they even lived on the same street at one point...Union Street.  "On Eagle's Wings" was sung at his funeral in Grand Rapids just as it was song at my Grandfather's funeral.  I might also mention that "Shall We Gather at the River" which was sung at the service at the Ford Museum was song at my Grandmother's burial service. 

Two things I heard repeated over and over about Gerald R. Ford that will always stay with me.  First, were his three rules in life:  1) Never tell a lie, 2) Work hard, and 3) Never be late for dinner.  Can you imagine the world if everyone lived be these three rules?  No betrayal, no unhappy bosses, and more importantly..no unhappy wives!  Second, was in his acceptance speech for President (I believe).  He said, "I am indebted to no man, but only to one woman".  He not only loved his wife, Betty.  He adored her.  We all want to be loved, but how much more do we want to be adored.  Adored is a powerful word.  My heart goes out to her as she has lost the love of her life.  She was lucky, she was loved AND adored.     

Now, back to when President Ford and his family arrived at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids.  When I should have been folding laundry or cleaning, I found myself glued to the television unable to move.  The University of Michigan marching band was there to greet the family (along with dignitaries and all that) and as the casket was taken from Air Force One, Hail to the Chief was played.  Another number was played followed by the Michigan fight song, Hail to the Victors.  It was a President Ford had wanted.  Knowing this, it brought tears to my eyes.  The motorcade route was lined with thousands of people as it made it way to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Musuem in downtown Grand Rapids.  President Ford began laying in repose around 7:00 p.m.  By 9:00 p.m. it was approximately an 8 hour wait with about 40,000 people waiting in line.  I so badly wanted to head downtown (only 10 minutes from where I live) but decided to wait until tommorow). 

When I turned on the news at 6 AM, there was still an hour wait and crowds were steadily increasing.  I'm a small-town girl, big crowds were not my thing.  By 10:00 they closed down the lines and at noon the visitation was over.  An estimated 57,000 people came to pay their respects over a 17 hour time period...more than triple that turned out in Washington D.C.  Grand Rapids was definately proud of their hometown hero, their "favorite son" had been warmly welcomed home despite the cold temperatures.

Wednesday was a new day here in Grand Rapids.  A beautiful day.  Clear blue skies...something we had not seen in weeks!  Temperatures were expected to be in the 40's, no snow in sight.  Very unusual for the first week in January when it is usually the coldest time of the year.  People once again came out in the thousands to once again catch a glimpse of the motorcade as it made it's way from the museum to the church in East Grand Rapids for the final funeral and then back to the musuem for the burial service.  The intermit would then be followed by a 21 gun salute and a 21 plane flyover with a missing man formation.  I didn't want to miss this.  I once again watched the days events on television. 

I have to add that the funeral service was very moving.  I loved it when former-President Jimmy Carter was saying how much he and the Ford's had in common.  He pointed out that they both had three sons and then after MUCH prayer {long pause, followed by laughter}, their prayers were answered and they each had a girl.  One of the brothers nudged Sara in the pew and there were smiles by Mrs. Ford and the four children.  Another touching moment was when the cameras zoomed in on a U of M stadium blanket draped over the pew in memory of Bo Schembechler.  If you didn't know, Bo Schembechler (former coach of U of M) was asked by President Ford to be a pall bearer) but passed away last Fall.   

Things were running about an hour behind so I knew that when my two young girls (9 and 6) got home from school, I would have time to go find a spot to secure our place in history.  I wanted to be able to say, "I was there", and for my girls to say "I saw that".  We perched ourselves in a prime location.  The anticipation was more than I expected and I found myself overcome with emotion, something I really didn't expect.  All of a sudden, black cars zoomed by at a fast pace. 

We learned this was the motorcade carrying Vice President Dick Cheney.  An ambulance is always in his motorcade.  I jokingly asked if this was in case he accidently shot HIMSELF!  haha.  Ok, not funny.  Anyways, off in the distance I could see the flashing of lights.  The crowds became very still and quiet.  Then, a few police cars followed by a few black SUV's.  And then it was upon us...the black hearse carrying President Ford's casket. 

Inside I could see the American flag covering the casket and the colors of the flag were so vivid.  Everyone was pointing and whispering "there he is": boyscouts, grandparents to grandchildren, parents to children, mothers to babies, veterans. People of all age and races came to say goodbye one last time to our hometown President.  It didn't matter who you were or what you believed at that moment in time, we were all one.  It was an amazing sight to see.  It seemed like forever until the rest of the motorcade went by. 

 And then an eternity until finally the cannons began thundering a 21 gun salute to our President.  Smoke filled the air.  It was beautiful.  The sun was setting over the museum and I could amost feel as if God was saying "well done, my good and faithful servant Gerald R. Ford, well done". 

Suddently, the planes began flying over.  First one, then four, four more, four more, another four, and the final four.  I understand Taps was being played as these planes were flying over and I mentally played it in my head.  Tears once again filled my eyes.  As one of the planes in the final four broke formation and shot straight up into the sky, you could begin to hear quiet applause in the crowd and some quiet cheers.  But mostly it was quiet. 

 Some people were saluting, some had their right hands over their heart.  All this happening with the most spectacular sun setting over Lake Michigan.  If you have never seen a Michigan sunset, you don't know what you were missing.  It could not have been a more beautiful day and picturesque setting.  It pays to know the big Man upstairs and Gerald R. Ford knew Him. 

Just as quickly as the planes arrived, they were gone.  I began to think that life is alot like those planes.  We seem to get so busy with this and that in life but before we know it, it can be gone in an instant.  Live life to the fullest, don't sweat the small stuff, love and adore with all you have, and by all means...don't be late for dinner!