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Americans from near and far pay respects to Ford

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published January 1, 2007

WASHINGTON - Ordinary Americans paid their respects to Gerald R. Ford on Sunday, walking slowly by his flag-covered casket in the Capitol and remembering how the 38th president likely sacrificed his career by granting the pardon he thought right for the nation.

Visitors said they thought about Ford's pardon of predecessor Richard Nixon as they walked past the casket and military honor guard, in the center of the Rotunda that Ford so often traversed as a member of Congress.

Some mourners also were greeted in the afternoon by two of the late president's sons, first Jack and then Steven.

"Thank you for coming on behalf of the family," Jack told people as they filed in. "Sorry for your loss," some responded.

Several people said they recalled Ford's toughest moment as president: the pardon of Nixon in September 1974 for any Watergate crimes. It came only one month after Ford became the nation's only unelected president, following Nixon's resignation.

"I thought when he pardoned Nixon he stood up and did what the country needed, not what would further his political career," said John Banks, 51, of Calhoun, Ga. "I don't think we have presidents that do that anymore."

Jane Keliher, 61, of Wichita, Kan., said Ford "healed the nation and gave up his future as a politician to do it." She described the experience of passing by Ford's casket as "just beyond words."

Ford ran for president in 1976 and lost to Democrat Jimmy Carter. Some political analysts believe the pardon played a major role in Ford's defeat.

According to the funeral schedule, Ford was to lie in state for public viewing through today. On Tuesday morning, his remains will rest outside the Senate chamber before being taken to a funeral service at Washington National Cathedral.

Dan Shirey of Herndon, Va., said he was moved, as a teenager, by Ford's declaration that "our long national nightmare is over" as Ford replaced Nixon in 1974. Shirey brought his wife Juliet, and sons, Joshua, 6, and Nathan, 9.

"I think they have to recognize where they come from so when they grow up, they understand," Shirey said, explaining he wanted his sons to witness history. Added his wife: "This is part of building up memories with our children."

[Last modified January 1, 2007, 00:37:53]