Wow, what a week it has been here in West Michigan! I'm sure most people know, Ford grew up here in Grand Rapids, so his final service was here, along with his body being laid to rest at the Gerald R. Ford Museum downtown. Tuesday afternoon his body was brought to Michigan. The kids and I went to stand along Patterson Ave. to watch the motorcade pass on the way to the museum. I planned on standing right at the airport gates, but there was so many people, it was impossible, and we got there an hour before Airforce One was due to land. It was amazing, the crowds of people and from what the news said, it was just as crowded the entire route downtown! Tuesday from about 5:30pm-11:30am Wednesday morning, Ford's body laid in repose at the museum. We decided to take the kids down, as this was a once in a lifetime event. Jim's dad came with us and we got downtown GR around 7:00pm. I think we entered the museum around 11:15pm or so. It was really quite moving. The casket was surrounded by soldiers standing guard. Even the kids seemed to know they should show reverence and were affected by seeing it. Brinlee, who had been crying when we entered the museum, stopped and asked to get out of the stroller as we passed the casket. We were shocked at how well behaved our kids were waiting in line. I heard a reporter describe the air downtown, as people waited in line to show their respect, as "electric". You could feel the sense of community as we all gathered to say good-bye to the man who made our community so proud. I heard it said that the people of Grand Rapids made sure that President Ford's last night wasn't lonely. The latest estimate I heard was that over 55,000 people came. Amazing! The funeral took place at the Ford family's home church in East Grand Rapids. Again, people lined the streets as the Motorcade made it's way to the church and back to the museum after the service. Downtown near the museum, people were lined up 5-6 people thick to try to catch a glimpse of the interment taking place at the museum. They had the Army Chorus and a band playing the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful. Taps was played as they did a 21 cannon salute and 21 aircraft flew over. The honor guard removed the flag over the casket and it was given to Vice-President Cheney, who then gave it to Mrs. Ford. It was very intense. Here is the link to our local news station that has a lot of pictures and articles.
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5887312Here are some of the pictures I took. You were not allowed to bring any cameras to the museum so I only have pictures from the motorcade.
The above picture is the kids waiting for the motorcade. Below is a picture of the herse carrying the casket. If you look closely, you can see the blue background and the stars of the flag over the casket through the back window. The herse was the first car in the motorcade, after the police escort, so I wasn't ready to take a picture. I cropped this one really close so it is a bit fuzzy.
Above is the front and back of the memorial card they gave out at the museum as you walked through.
The above picture is the kids waiting for the motorcade. Below is a picture of the herse carrying the casket. If you look closely, you can see the blue background and the stars of the flag over the casket through the back window. The herse was the first car in the motorcade, after the police escort, so I wasn't ready to take a picture. I cropped this one really close so it is a bit fuzzy.
1 comment:
That is just wonderful that you took the time to go! I am glad your kids got to witness it all.
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