USA: Former President Gerald Ford buried in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan

A week of national memorials for the 38th President of the United States came to an end as Gerald Ford was buried in his hometown of Grand Rapids Michigan. A final salute to the former President was held at Grace Episcopal Church in Michigan where his closest friends and family attended a sombre funeral service. "'For myself and for our Nation I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land.' Those were the first words I spoke as president and I still hate to admit that they received more applause than any other words in my inaugural address. You learn a lot about a man when you run against him for president when you stand in his shoes and assume the responsibilities that he has borne so well," said 82-year-old Jimmy Carter, who succeeded Ford in the White House. About 400 people stood outside the stone church in bright blue weather during the service. The casket containing Ford's body arrived in Grand Rapids on Tuesday afternoon as a band played the fight song from Ford's alma mater, the University of Michigan, and tens of thousands lined the streets to watch the 75-car motorcade. On Tuesday, a national day of mourning that shut U.S government offices and financial markets, more than 3,000 people -- including all three living former U.S. presidents -- attended a memorial service at the National Cathedral in Washington. Ford's grave site was at his presidential museum in Grand Rapids, on the banks of the Grand River.

ITN Source | January 4, 2007

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