Nation Begins Its Goodbyes To Gerald Ford

California Service Honors 38th President, Beginning Six Days Of Mourning

(CBS/AP)  Borne by eight U.S. servicemen in crisp dress uniforms, Gerald R. Ford's flag-draped casket was carried past his widow into their hometown church Friday for a public viewing that marked the start of six days of mourning for the former president.

Former first lady Betty Ford, 88, stood atop the broad steps of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church to receive the casket. A Marine Corps band struck up "Hail to the Chief" as the coffin of the Navy veteran of World War II was removed from a hearse, then played the hymn "O God Our Help in Ages Past" as the military pallbearers, moving in lockstep, made the slow climb to the doors of the white-columned church.

"We receive the body of our brother, Gerald, for burial," a minister said.

Mrs. Ford, clutching the arm of an Army general, stood in silence for a few moments after the casket was laid before a blond-wood altar and three wreaths of white flowers. Then she led other family members to the Presidents Pew, where she and her husband sat nearly every Sunday after leaving the White House in 1977.

The Ford family asked the Reverend Robert Certain, their pastor and friend for almost a decade, to preside over the service, as well as the others next week in Washington, D.C. and Grand Rapids, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker.

Rev. Certain said his mission is "to point people to the life of this man, who exhibited strong virtue throughout his life."

A family service, closed to the public, was then held. A public viewing expected to draw thousands to the resort community 110 miles east of Los Angeles was scheduled for late Friday afternoon.

Mrs. Ford planned to accompany her husband's body across the country Saturday to Washington, where the nation's 38th president will lie in state at the Capitol. A funeral will be held on Tuesday at the National Cathedral. Ford will be buried on Wednesday in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he grew up.

Vice President Dick Cheney, who was Ford's chief of staff for part of his brief administration, will represent President Bush at the Capitol Saturday night, CBS Radio News correspondent Tom Foty reports. Mr. Bush himself will take part in the Tuesday morning services at Washington National Cathedral.

Security was tight at St. Margaret's, with helicopters hovering overhead. The Secret Service swept the area, and surrounding residential streets were blocked off.

A solemn crowd watched from well beyond the parking lot of the church, not far from the former president's Rancho Mirage home.

Among the spectators was Evelyn Tidholm, 80, a visitor from Oklahoma who said she voted for Ford in 1976. "I just have never seen anything like this. I thought that at my age it's something that I should see," she said.

Ford, who assumed the presidency when Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 amid the Watergate scandal, died Tuesday at 93.

The major stock markets will be closed on Tuesday as part of a national day of mourning. The Wall Street tradition dates to the 1885 burial of President Grant and was last observed after President Reagan's death in 2004.

Some of the most regal touches of a full state funeral are being bypassed, by request of his family and, most likely, according to Ford's own wishes. In Washington, a hearse rather than a horse-drawn caisson will take Ford's casket to the Capitol.

Fighter jets will do a flyover with a "missing man" formation only in Grand Rapids, where Ford will be buried on a hillside near his presidential museum. He spent most of his childhood in Grand Rapids, practiced law there and represented the area in Congress for 25 years.

All U.S. presidents are entitled to a state funeral with military pomp and public ceremony, but Ford, a humble man, had to be persuaded, Whitaker reports.

President Bush will return to Washington from his ranch in Crawford, Texas, on Jan. 1 and head directly to the Capitol Rotunda to pay his respects to Ford, reports CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller. Mr. Bush has designated Tuesday as a "National Day of Mourning" and will deliver a tribute to Ford at the memorial service at the National Cathedral.

[joesixpack31]

There is probably no better example of the american voter capacity for self destruction than it's rejection of Gerald Ford in favor of "whiney" little jimmy carter in 1976. Jimmy carter, neck and neck with bill clinton as worst US presidents, left behind a trail of domestic and foreign policy "CARNAGE" that haunts us and the world to this day and will continue to haunt our children and grandchildren for decades into the future. Those of you that whine about the pardon of Richard Nixon can go pound salt.

[gramto7]

Regardless of whether you agree with his politics or not, this was one of our presidents. He deserves a tribute fit for the position. Unfortunately, the same will have to be said about our current Idiot-in-Chief.

[randalds]

Hey CBS and the other news media, haven't you played enough aire time on this dead guy? Two year non elected president?
Posted by bluestardad at 06:52 AM : Dec 30, 2006

I'm sorry we disagree on this issue bluestardad, but Jerry may have been a lot of things, used perhaps the most, but he was sincere. He really believed he was doing the best thing for the nation. Right or wrong with his decision, you can't fault his motives. IMHO.

[bluestardad]

Ford Covered up for the Rule America Gang. He was there to support the Warren Commission%u2019s Magic Bullet Theory where one bullet can shoot thru two men one of which in three directions and come out the man's head, then he was ask to be Vice President by a guy who Resigned the Presidents office and he later pardoned, also he watched as Vietnam fell to the Communist, who turned to the Communist for help after asking America for help unifying their country twenty years earlier, after they had fought the Japanese with us during the second world war. We chose the side of the Dutch and French to regain their Pre war colony, who were our European Allies over Supporting the Vietnamese.

[bluestardad]

Hey CBS and the other news media, haven't you played enough aire time on this dead guy? Two year non elected president?

[lucasnico]

truly honest man?? are you kidding!
single bullet theory.....pardoning the biggest political criminal this country has seen..... horrible president alive....horrible president dead

[emtak1]

Thanks President Ford. I was just a little one when you helped heal the wounds of my country. Wounds I couldn't understand then, but have come to now.

You were a noble statesman, but never set youself above your fellow citizens.

Godspeed to you, and may God bless your loved ones.

--a gratefull American

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[elgraz]

PRESIDENT FORD WAS A GOOD AND MORAL HUMAN BEING. I AM SURE THAT THE LORD WILL WELCOME HIM INTO HIS ARMS. RESQUIESCAT IN PACEM.

[lilywhitepts]

Thank you President Ford for your honest, strong, loving leadership of our great country.

Your brand of integrity was just what our nation needed in a very dark time. You lead us out of the confusion and sadness and into the light again.

Sadly, our great nation is, again, in need of a special public servant like you.....

God Bless America

[sue1155]

IF IT WAS HIS WISHES THEY SHOULD BE HONORED.

[themartyred]

condolences to the friends and family of Ford.

blessing from alachua!

cafepress.com/warisprofitable

[jldrzick]

I wish to send my condolences to the entire Ford Family , with special consideration for Jack. I am a former employee of Jack Ford's from Michigan my prayers are with you during this time.

[dssans62]

The world has one less "truly honest man" now...Jerry from one Eagle Scout to another...

"On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight."

we'll miss you Jerry.

[karendt2]

On Photo Essay of Former President Gerald Ford, on Picture 9 where he is standing with Donald Rumsfeld, there is an error. The error is that it says Pres. Ford is on the left, but he is on the right. Please correct the error.

Thank you, Kenda Arendt