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Thousands pay Ford last respects Thousands pay Ford last respects
(about 10 hours later)
Thousands of Americans have been paying their last respects to former President Gerald Ford as he lies in state in the Capitol building in Washington.Thousands of Americans have been paying their last respects to former President Gerald Ford as he lies in state in the Capitol building in Washington.
About 2,000 people an hour filed past on Sunday and viewing continues on New Year's Day. President George W Bush is expected to be among the visitors. Many braved the rain to file past the flag-draped coffin on New Year's Day, the third day of the lying in state.
The funeral service is at Washington National cathedral on Tuesday. US President George W Bush and his wife Laura are due to visit the Capitol after returning from their Texas ranch.
President Bush is to deliver a eulogy at the funeral service at Washington's National cathedral on Tuesday.
Mr Ford's casket will then go to Grand Rapids, Michigan, for burial near his presidential library on Wednesday.Mr Ford's casket will then go to Grand Rapids, Michigan, for burial near his presidential library on Wednesday.
As part of the Washington ceremonies, Mr Ford's body will be transferred to a place just outside the Senate chamber ahead of the funeral service.
Mr Ford died on 26 December aged 93, the longest-living US president.Mr Ford died on 26 December aged 93, the longest-living US president.
'Understanding' 'Intergrity'
One of Monday's visitors to the Capitol, 56-year-old John Erb from Alexandria, Virginia, said he had been in the Army during Mr Ford's administration.
He said he had come to pay his respects because "it's part of the old commander in chief thing."
Two of Mr Ford's sons, Jack and Steven, greeted some of the Americans who filed past the casket and honour guard on Sunday.Two of Mr Ford's sons, Jack and Steven, greeted some of the Americans who filed past the casket and honour guard on Sunday.
Bob Dole, Mr Ford's vice-presidential running mate in 1976, was among those who attended.Bob Dole, Mr Ford's vice-presidential running mate in 1976, was among those who attended.
I think what he brought back to the White House was integrity, trust Jack Oslund, mourner Gerald Ford: Obituary Life in pictures In quotes: Reaction to deathI think what he brought back to the White House was integrity, trust Jack Oslund, mourner Gerald Ford: Obituary Life in pictures In quotes: Reaction to death
Mr Ford took office after Richard Nixon quit over the Watergate scandal in 1974.Mr Ford took office after Richard Nixon quit over the Watergate scandal in 1974.
He served for two years but lost to Jimmy Carter in 1976, a year after the US accepted defeat in the Vietnam War.He served for two years but lost to Jimmy Carter in 1976, a year after the US accepted defeat in the Vietnam War.
Those attending on Sunday remembered his most difficult decision - pardoning Nixon of any crimes committed during his presidency, a decision analysts say probably cost him the 1976 election. Many mourners at the Capitol remembered his most difficult decision - pardoning Nixon of any crimes committed during his presidency, a decision analysts say probably cost him the 1976 election.
One attendee, John Banks from Georgia, told the Associated Press: "I thought when he pardoned Nixon he stood up and did what the country needed, not what would further his political career."One attendee, John Banks from Georgia, told the Associated Press: "I thought when he pardoned Nixon he stood up and did what the country needed, not what would further his political career."
Another mourner, Jack Oslund of Virginia, said: "I think what he brought back to the White House was integrity, trust."Another mourner, Jack Oslund of Virginia, said: "I think what he brought back to the White House was integrity, trust."
Vice President Dick Cheney, who served as Mr Ford's chief of staff, has also praised the decision, saying the president was "was almost alone in understanding that there can be no healing without pardon".
After lying in state Mr Ford's body will be transferred to a place just outside the Senate chamber ahead of the funeral service, at which Mr Bush will deliver a eulogy.
In an interview with the Washington Post, conducted shortly before his death and published on Sunday, Mr Ford expressed regret over the Vietnam War.In an interview with the Washington Post, conducted shortly before his death and published on Sunday, Mr Ford expressed regret over the Vietnam War.
"I hope we never live through another era like that in American history. The answers were very evasive. The results were very disillusioning," he said."I hope we never live through another era like that in American history. The answers were very evasive. The results were very disillusioning," he said.