• Tools:
• Save |
• Print |
• E-mail |
• Most Popular |

Ford's final homecoming

Adjust font size:

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan (CNN) -- Former President Gerald Ford had a final homecoming Tuesday as his body was brought back to his hometown to be laid to rest.

Ford, who was the 38th president, died last week at age 93.

His body now lies in repose at his museum in Grand Rapids and will be buried Wednesday on the grounds of the museum. (Full story)

The flag-draped casket was greeted at the airport with a 21-gun salute and the University of Michigan band playing the school's fight song. (Watch ceremony as Ford leaves Capitol for last time )

Ford was an All-Star football player at Michigan before embarking on his political career.

Earlier Tuesday, President Bush described Ford as "a man whose name was a synonym for integrity" in a eulogy at the Washington National Cathedral. (Watch Bush, others praise Ford's character )

Ford led the United States from August 1974 to January 1977, after the Watergate scandal forced Richard Nixon from office.

One of Ford's first acts as president was to pardon Nixon.

To his critics, Ford explained that the pardon was necessary to heal the country and help it move forward.

"In President Ford, the world saw the best of America -- and America found a man whose character and leadership would bring calm and healing to one of the most divisive moments in our nation's history," Bush said.

'America needed him'

The cathedral was packed with dignitaries, including past presidents; members of Congress; and even Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres. ( Watch dignitaries gather at Washington National Cathedral to honor Ford )

Betty Ford, 88, Ford's wife of 58 years, sat stoically during the service.

Ford, a Republican, was House minority leader when Nixon tapped him to replace Spiro Agnew as vice president, after Agnew's no-contest plea to bribery charges that dated to his tenure as governor of Maryland.

"When President Nixon needed to replace a vice president who had resigned in scandal, he naturally turned to a man whose name was a synonym for integrity: Gerald Ford," Bush said.

"And eight months later, when he was elevated to the presidency, it was because America needed him, not because he needed the office."

The president recalled Ford's strong beliefs in racial equality -- beliefs that were evident during the former president's football days at Michigan.

When Michigan was to play Georgia Tech in Ann Arbor, the Southern team refused to play unless Willis Ward, a black player, was removed from the Wolverines roster, Bush said.

When Michigan agreed to play without Ward, Ford quit the team.

But Ward persuaded Ford to play without him, Bush said.

It was the only game Michigan won that year, the president said.

While in the House of Representatives, where he served 25 years, Ford opposed the poll tax that kept poor people, mostly blacks, from voting.

And he supported the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Despite two assassination attempts, Ford didn't cut back his public appearances, Bush said.

In the area of foreign affairs, the president said, Ford was one of the signers of the Helsinki Accords, which listed 10 goals for nations, including "respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms."

History has shown that the accords helped dissolve the Soviet Union, Bush added.

Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush, recalled Ford's humor about some of his clumsiness and his love of golf.

Ford once said, "I know I'm playing better golf because I'm hitting fewer spectators," the elder Bush recalled.

Henry Kissinger, secretary of state under Ford, also paid tribute.

Kissinger credited Ford for supporting the secretary's efforts in 1973 in working out interim disengagement agreements among Egypt, Syria and Israel.

While in Congress, Ford was a strong friend to Israel.

He was among one of the first politicians to recommend that the U.S. recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

"Gerald Ford assumed the presidency when the nation needed a leader of character and humility -- and we found it in the man from Grand Rapids," the current President Bush said.

"President Ford's time in office was brief -- but history will long remember the courage and common sense that helped restore trust in the workings of democracy."

Bush said he most recently saw Ford last year California.

"He was still smiling, still counting himself lucky to have Betty at his side -- and still displaying the optimism and generosity that made him one of America's most beloved leaders."

About 2,000 people an hour filed past Ford's flag-draped bier Monday, the last day of viewing at the U.S. Capitol.

People lined up in the rain outside the Capitol throughout the afternoon.

Copyright 2007 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

---

• Palin blasts Obama on abortion
• McCain blasts Wallace connection
• Mob film actor arrested
• Fearful Christians flee Iraqi city
• Presley gives birth to twin girls

• Irish PM to quit over payments scandal
• NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely
• Militants hunted as calm retuns to Basra
• Pressure on Bush to skip Olympics
• BA sending misplaced T5 baggage to Milan

• Recruiting suicide bombers (2:50)
• London was lucky (2:36)
• Cars in London rigged as bombs (3:48)
• Second explosives-packed car foun (2:32)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)