Saturday, December 30, 2006

Ford's Body Arrives in Washington for Official Honors

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 30, 2006 – The body of President Gerald R. Ford received a welcoming 21-gun salute at Andrews
Air Force Base, Md., early this evening as part of final goodbyes that'll be made here to the nation's 38th chief executive. Ford died Dec. 26 at age 93 at his residence in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The fallen commander-in-chief grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will be buried on the grounds of his presidential museum there Jan. 3, after being honored here.

The president's remains and members of his family, including his widow and former first lady Betty Ford, were flown here today from California aboard a blue-and-white painted military VC-25, a 747-model jet like those used to transport President Bush.

Vice President Richard B. Cheney headed a delegation of distinguished officials, which included retired Sen. Bob Dole, as well as other senior civilian and military leaders, that met Ford's plane as it taxied to a stop on Andrews' tarmac.

A joint
military honor guard carried Ford's flag-draped casket from the jet to an awaiting black Cadillac hearse. Members of the Army's 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) fired off the traditional 21-shot salute in Ford's honor with a group of ceremonial howitzers. The U.S. Air Force Band played "Hail to the Chief" and followed up with "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."

Mrs. Ford was a model of composure as she occasionally dabbed at tears with a handkerchief.

The plane carrying Ford's remains touched down at Andrews just after 5 p.m., and the arrival ceremony was completed within the hour. The funereal motorcade, including the hearse carrying Ford's remains and a black ribbon of trailing limousines and sport utility vehicles, departed the airbase en route to the U.S. Capitol.

On its way to the U.S. Capitol, the motorcade passed through Alexandria, Va., where Ford had lived for many years when he was a member of Congress. After leaving Virginia and entering Washington, the motorcade paused at the World War II Memorial. Upon reaching the Capitol, Ford's casket was ceremonially carried up the east steps of the House of Representatives and into the building. Ford's casket was placed at the open House doors honoring his time in Congress.

Afterward, Ford's remains will lie in state at the Capitol's Rotunda until the morning of Jan. 2, when they will be transported to the National Cathedral for a state funeral service. President Bush will speak at the service.

After the funeral service here, Ford's body will be flown to Grand Rapids, where it'll be buried Jan. 3.

Ford served as a
U.S. Navy officer in the Pacific theater of operations during World War II. After the war, Ford was elected as a Republican member of Congress, where he represented Michigan for 24 years in the House of Representatives. In 1973, Ford became vice president in the administration of President Richard M. Nixon. Ford assumed the presidency when Nixon resigned in August 1974.

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Field Artillery Marines Salute Ford With 21-Gun Salute

By Lance Cpl. Chris T. Mann, USMC
Special to American Forces Press Service

Dec. 30, 2006 – Field artillery Marines from
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., conducted a 21-gun salute today as part of the departure ceremony for the California portion of the state funeral for former President Gerald R. Ford. Ford, 93, died Dec. 26 at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

"The president sacrificed a tremendous amount on our behalf, and the ceremony was a way for us to honor him," said
Marine Staff Sgt. Justin Y. Booker, a field artillery scout observer with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment.

More than 20 members from the artillery battery marched in unison on the tarmac of Palm Springs International Airport before taking their firing positions behind five 105 mm Howitzer cannons. The Marines grouped in teams of four behind each cannon. Each firing team consisted of a chief, a cannonier, an ammo technician, and a gunner.

Twenty-one cannon shots were fired with a five-second pause between each round while the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, played "Hail to the Chief."

Marines from the artillery regiment volunteered to participate in the ceremony. "The Marines under me are proud to be here and when asked (to come). They raised their hands and said, 'Pick me,'" said Gunnery Sgt. Donovan C. Thomas, a 33-year-old field artilleryman from Bronx, N.Y.

The artillery Marines arrived early this morningto prepare for the ceremony. Pfc. Jordan B. Yager helped prepare the cannons for firing in the ceremony.
"Lots of rehearsal and hard work went into this," said Yager, a motor transportation operator.

"I'm proud to be part of something larger than myself," added the 20 year old from Modesto, Calif.

The ceremony closed out the California portion of the state funeral. Ford's remains were flown to Andrews
Air Force Base, Md., to begin the nation's capital phase of the state funeral.

The 21-gun salute is an honor given to heads of state worldwide and is said to have originated during the 17th century, when fighting would be ceased in order to allow removal of the fallen from the battlefield.

Traditionally, the 21-gun salute is fired over a servicemember's grave in three rifle volleys. This was done during battle to signal the fight may continue.

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Military Members Support Ford Funeral in California

By Seaman Damien E. Horvath, USN
Special to American Forces Press Service

Dec. 30, 2006 – More than 500
military members are supporting the California portion of the state funeral for former President Gerald R. Ford here yesterday and today. The military is providing ceremonial service, security and logistical support to honor and pay tribute to the 38th commander-in-chief and the Ford family. Personnel from the Armed Forces Honor Guard, based in Washington D.C., served as members of the guard of honor and as body bearers during the arrival ceremony at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church yesterday.

"This is very somber time for all of us in the color guard," said Marine Pfc. Trae Shelton, of the
Armed Forces Honor Guard. "We conduct ourselves with the highest reverence, professionalism, and honor to pay our respects to former President Ford and his family."

Air Force Airman 1st Class Lyle S. Carter, also from the Armed Forces Honor Guard, added, "It was a way for me to salute the former president and his legacy."

Participation in the state funeral impacted all branches of the Armed Services at many levels.

"As part of the Old Guard, we are proud to represent the Army as a whole," said Spc. John S. Tilley, of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as the The Old Guard, from Fort Myer, Va. "This is our chance to show our respect for the passing of the former president."

The
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band from Twentynine Palms, Calif., provided musical honors and hymns for the ceremony.

"I am honored to be here paying homage and tribute to President Ford," said Master Sgt. Grady May, bandmaster for the
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band at Twentynine Palms. "Every time the casket is moved, we render presidential honors, as well as play various hymns selected by the Ford family."

Nearly 350 Marines from Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force Training Command Twentynine Palms are providing security and host support for this phase of the state funeral. The Marine contingent is augmented with nearly 200 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Defense Department civilians.

"The team of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have done a phenomenal job of organizing and executing this phase of the state funeral," said
Navy Capt. Mike Tillotson, deputy commander of Joint Task Force National Capital Region. "Their professionalism and pride is evident in every phase of honoring the 38th president and former commander-in-chief."

Former President Ford died in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Dec. 26 at the age of 93. After a departure ceremony at Palm Springs International Airport today, the remains of President Ford will be flown to Andrews
Air Force Base, Md., for the Washington portion of the state funeral.

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