The public will have a final opportunity to pay their respects to President Gerald Ford today as the former president lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Tuesday, Ford’s casket will be transported to the National Cathedral for a 10:30 a.m. funeral service and then taken to Grand Rapids, Mich. Ford will be buried in a private service Wednesday at his presidential library in Grand Rapids.
Authorities are encouraging those going to see the former president’s body to take public transportation instead of driving. The nearest Metrorail stations are Capitol South (Blue and Orange lines), Union Station (Red Line) and L’Enfant Plaza (Green and Yellow lines).
President George W. Bush did not attend Saturday night’s state funeral for Ford in the Capitol. Bush is flying back from his Crawford, Texas, ranch today to pay his respects at the Capitol and will attend Tuesday’s funeral service and deliver one of the eulogies.
Bush honored the former president during his weekly radio address Saturday, calling Ford a “courageous leader, a true gentleman and a loving father and husband.”
“Providence gave us Gerald Ford’s steady hand and calm leadership during a time of great division and turmoil,” Bush said. “He guided America through a crisis of confidence and helped our nation mend its wounds by restoring faith in our system of government. He always put the needs of his country before his own and did what he thought was right, even when those decisions were unpopular. Only years later would Americans come to fully appreciate the foresight and wisdom of this good man.”
The National Cathedral will be closed for worshipping and shopping today to prepare for the funeral and Tuesday for Ford’s funeral.
