Today America Honors President Gerald Ford

Today has been set aside as a National Day of mourning for the former president and his official state funeral will begin in hours from now at the National Cathedral in Washington D. C.

Ford to Be Honored at Elaborate Funeral

MyWayNews WASHINGTON (AP) - Gerald R. Ford leaves his beloved U.S. Capitol for the last time Tuesday as the period set aside for ordinary Americans to say goodbye gives way to an elaborate invitation-only funeral at the awe-inspiring Washington National Cathedral.

As the first order of business Tuesday, Ford's remains were being removed from the Rotunda to lie in repose briefly outside the Senate before leaving the Capitol where Ford served as a congressman for 25 years. As vice president, Ford also had the constitutional title of president of the Senate.

A bell at the Washington National Cathedral was to toll 38 times for the 38th president as the cortege moved through Washington streets for the funeral service at the stone church that stretches nearly the length of two football fields. The much-visited Washington religious landmark has soaring towers, 215 stained glass windows and a great organ with 10,650 pipes.

Funeral services were held in the cathedral for former presidents Eisenhower in 1969 and Reagan in 2004, and ex-President Wilson is buried there. read more

Filed Under Presidential News, Real Patriots

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