America paused this week to pay its respects to our 38th president. From the splendor of the United States Capitol and the Washington National Cathedral to his heartland hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Gerald R. Ford was remembered as a man whose life was best defined by two words: integrity and service.
It was an honor for me to represent Maine at the state funeral in the National Cathedral. The service was a moving tribute to a man who answered the call of his country throughout his life: in the Navy in World War II, in the House of Representatives for decades, and as Vice President and President during a turbulent time in our nation’s history. At the same time, it was a heartfelt farewell to a loyal friend, a loving husband, and a devoted father.
The service fully illustrated both the majesty of the presidency and the modesty of the man who held that office for 895 honest, diligent days. Heads of state listened in rapt attention to a homily delivered not by a high-ranking church official, but by the minister of President Ford’s local church. Political foes sat side-by-side, their partisanship set aside in honor of one who did so much to heal a wounded nation. That most familiar of prayers — the Lord’s Prayer — was lifted to new heights by the magnificent voice of mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, accompanied by the United States Marine Orchestra. The opening music, Aaron Copeland’s stirring “Fanfare for the Common Man”, could not have been more appropriate.
The eulogies, whether delivered by a former president or a grieving daughter, were eloquent and touching. I particularly enjoyed the tribute delivered by President George H. W. Bush, who captured President Ford’s determination, recalling a life that went from a difficult childhood to one of great accomplishment as a “Norman Rockwell painting come to life.” Touching on President Ford’s lack of pretense, Tom Brokaw described the former University of Michigan football player as the consummate center – “a position that seldom receives much praise. But he had his hands on the ball for every play and no play could start without him. And when the game was over and others received the credit, he didn’t whine or whimper.”
Gerald R. Ford has been called our “accidental president.” He rose to that office as the result of two scandals that deeply shook the faith of the American people in their government. That he dedicated himself to restoring that faith, to helping Americans see that a presidential resignation did not tarnish our nation’s underlying values was no accident — it was at the center of a character he developed over a lifetime.
His decision in 1974 to pardon President Nixon very likely led to his defeat in the 1976 election. I think, however, history will judge that unpopular decision as an act of statesmanship that saved the nation the wrenching ordeal of putting a former president on trial, an act of uncommon, selfless political and personal courage. At a time when America needed a calm, steady hand to guide it through a crisis, Gerald R. Ford pitched in with both hands.
President Ford passed away on the day after Christmas. In a brief statement issued that sad day, former First Lady Betty Ford said her beloved husband of 58 years lived a life “filled with love of God, his family, and his country.” The life of Gerald R. Ford is one that inspires us and fills us with gratitude. May he rest in peace.
