(no subject)
Well, I am having a mix of residual excitement and being tired! I was glued to the TV for much of the afternoon, especially intrigued by Jimmy Carter's eulogy in which he shared the close relationship the two men and their mutual accomplishments, as well as honoring Ford's legacy to him from the White House. About 2/3's of the way through watching the funeral service on TV, I decided it was time to go downtown to see things for myself, partly prompted by my desire to see the F15's flyby. I flew down the highway in time to find a parking place at the edge of the downtown and get to the street where the motorcade drove on it's way from the church back to the museum. (There was a lot of going back and forth around the city during all of this.) The motorcade went by rather quickly so it was interesting to see, but not too noteworthy. The streets were lined with viewers, normal pedestrians, and a lot of kids in boy scout uniforms holding flags. Many people realized the significance of this occasion and wanted to view it. From there I drove closer to the Ford Museum to see what was happening there. After driving around a bit looking for a parking place amonst all the traffic!, I found a parking lot close by with lots of empty spaces. It was only several blocks from all the action. I got close to the museum in time to see the smoke and hear the noise from the 21 cannon salute, and then the best.....the fly-by which the F15's did. They flew right down the Grand River toward all of us standing on a bridge, and as the last group came close, right over our heads, the one plane shot up in the air in the lost man formation. It was absolutely incredibly beautiful to see. You could tell everyone was most impressed and awed. I then worked my way through the crowd and somehow actually got very close to the front of the museum in time to see the family and special people enter the museum for the final ceremony. Betty Ford was taken in by wheelchair with a blanket wrapped around her legs. It was a bit chilly in spite of the sunny day here. I watched more until the people came out of the museum and got in their motorcade again before coming home. I am so glad I did go to see it in person, even though the best viewing for most of everything was here at home with the TV. It was a momentous event for us here, and there were many people viewing it all.....standing on streets, buildings, bridges, milling around everywhere. I guess mid-westerners take our famous people seriously! May Gerald R. Ford Rest in Peace! And may we have many more politicians with his dignity, grace, fortitude and respect.