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Bush pays Ford his last respects | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
US President George W Bush and his wife Laura have paid their last respects to ex-President Gerald Ford as he lies in state in Washington's Capitol building. | |
Thousands of people have braved the rain to file past the flag-draped coffin on New Year's Day, the third day of the lying in state. | |
Mr Bush will give a eulogy at a Washington funeral service 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, in the National Cathedral. | |
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. |
'Integrity' | |
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. | 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." | 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 death | 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 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. |
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. | 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." |
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. |