Thousands of mourners filed silently and solemnly past the body of President Gerald Ford in the Capitol Rotunda Sunday, paying respect to a man who many said helped restore dignity and honor to the office after the turbulent early 1970s.
The line outside the Capitol was relatively short Sunday morning, with only about an hour’s wait to view Ford’s casket. Many people said they came as much to see the Capitol decorated for the event as they did to honor the plainspoken 38th president.
“It’s an important marker in American civil life,” said Stephanie Stoll Dalton, of Southwest Washington. She came with her husband, Roland Tharp.
“Everything was a beautiful experience,” said Tharp, who voted for Ford.
Incoming Metropolitan Police Chief Kathy Lanier talked with a group of Capitol Police after viewing the casket. She was “a little young” to vote for Ford, she said.
“The thing about Ford for me was he was the unlikely leader,” Lanier said.
Ford’s flag-draped casket sat atop the Lincoln Catafalque, which was built for Abraham Lincoln’s coffin, an interesting note for a man who once described his presidency as a Ford, not a Lincoln.
James Gallagher drove down from Queens, N.Y., Saturday night so his children, Sarah, 8, and Aaron, 11, could witness what they thought was a unique moment in American history.
“I figure Gerald Ford is not going to die again, so,” Aaron Gallagher said.
Outside, Frank Enten, 76, of Bethesda, sold campaign buttons to passersby. He helped produce campaign materials for Ford’s presidency, he said. Only two Ford buttons remained unsold by about 10 a.m.
“I’m almost out of my Ford stuff,” Enten said.
Rockville residents James Bellhorn and friend Ronald Dawson, two Michigan natives, wore University of Michigan hats and sweatshirts as they stood in line Sunday morning. Ford was a standout football player for the Wolverines, helping them win two national championships.
“We thought wearingthe maize and blue would be a great way to honor a historic man,” Bellhorn said. “He doesn’t always get a lot of credit, but his presidency meant a lot for the country.”
