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Ford funeral begins in Washington Tributes paid at Ford's funeral
(about 1 hour later)
The funeral ceremony is under way in Washington DC for the 38th US President, Gerald Ford, who died last week aged 93. US leaders past and present have been paying tribute to the 38th US President, Gerald Ford, at his funeral service in Washington DC.
President George W Bush will deliver a speech at the service in the city's National Cathedral. President George W Bush said the world had seen the best of America in Mr Ford, who brought calm and healing to the nation after the Watergate scandal.
Mr Ford's body arrived at the cathedral from Capitol Hill, where he had been lying in state.
Mr Ford became president after Richard Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal, and served from 1974 to 1977.Mr Ford became president after Richard Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal, and served from 1974 to 1977.
He died last week at 93, after becoming the longest-living US president.
In President Ford, the world saw the best of America... President George Bush In pictures: Ford funeral
He will be buried near his presidential library in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Wednesday.He will be buried near his presidential library in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Wednesday.
Tuesday has been designated as a national day of mourning.Tuesday has been designated as a national day of mourning.
Mr Ford died on 26 December in California. He lay in state in Washington's Capitol building from Saturday until Tuesday morning.Mr Ford died on 26 December in California. He lay in state in Washington's Capitol building from Saturday until Tuesday morning.
'Integrity''Integrity'
A 21-gun salute rang out and a military band played as Mr Ford's coffin was carried down the steps of the Capitol and driven off to the National Cathedral.A 21-gun salute rang out and a military band played as Mr Ford's coffin was carried down the steps of the Capitol and driven off to the National Cathedral.
The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says the streets were lined with people as his motorcade went past.The BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says the streets were lined with people as his motorcade went past.
Those paying tribute include President Bush, his father George Bush Snr, and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. The coffin was escorted by Vice-President Dick Cheney, former defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and Mr Ford's running mate in his failed 1976 presidential campaign, ex-Senator Bob Dole.
The list of honorary pallbearers - who escort the coffin but do not carry it - includes Vice-President Dick Cheney, former Defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and Mr Ford's running mate in his failed 1976 presidential campaign, ex-Senator Bob Dole. President Bush arrived at the funeral arm in arm with Mr Ford's widow Betty, before reading a eulogy.
"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," he said.
George Bush Senior - President Bush's father - spoke of a life indelibly marked by honour and integrity, while former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said Gerald Ford restored confidence in American institutions and its purposes.
I thought when he pardoned Nixon he stood up and did what the country needed John Banks, mourner Gerald Ford: Obituary Life in pictures In quotes: Reaction to deathI thought when he pardoned Nixon he stood up and did what the country needed John Banks, mourner Gerald Ford: Obituary Life in pictures In quotes: Reaction to death
Jimmy Carter, who defeated Mr Ford in that election, is also attending the service. Jimmy Carter, who defeated Mr Ford in 1976, also attended the service.
On Monday President Bush and his wife Laura were among thousands of people who paid their respects to his flag-draped coffin.
Mr Ford's wife, Betty, was also present, as were the couple's children, who spent time talking to mourners as they filed past the casket.
Mr Ford took office as public trust in the White House plummeted in the wake of the Watergate scandal and as the US eyed defeat in Vietnam.Mr Ford took office as public trust in the White House plummeted in the wake of the Watergate scandal and as the US eyed defeat in Vietnam.
Many mourners at the Capitol remembered his most difficult decision - pardoning Mr 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 Mr Nixon of any crimes committed during his presidency, a decision analysts say probably cost him the 1976 election.
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."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."