Gerald R. Ford Burial Services in Grand Rapids

[michaelskis]

My fianc

[sparky05]

Just a little bit ago:

[Veloise]

There's a TV at work!

I really feel for those honorary PBs standing outside for---ever. (What happened to that military timing?)

Wonder if the flag-holding bungie cord has a special name.

ETA: now I remember why I voted for Jimmy Carter. What a great speech.

[john_denver]

Is the jet fighter fly over set for about 3:45 ish?

Or more like 4:30?

I understand the motorcade leaves Grace at about 3:30?

[Veloise]

Is the jet fighter fly over set for about 3:45 ish?

Or more like 4:30?

I understand the motorcade leaves Grace at about 3:30?

[twoshort]

This was the scene at 1:41pm at Lake Dr and Croswell:

[GRDadof3]

Anyone else watching the funeral? They're running it concurrently on WOODTV and CSPAN. Carter gave a very heart-warming eulogy, and even Rumsfeld got me choked up a little.

And I just saw a formation of about six fighter jets heading Northeast, way up. MAN they were loud, and they were probably at 15 - 20,000 feet.

edit: they just flew over again. two groups of 3 fighter jets, each group escorting a larger plane (jet?). Way up. I would say based on the schedule, they'll fly over downtown around 4:30. The funeral is still going on.

[GR_Urbanist]

I heard the jets as I was biking home. I'm going to go out again for the return trip. I'm glad I didn't miss the flyover.

People were already claiming spots on Fulton. Lots of Boy Scouts.

[Veloise]

They are running about 90+ minutes behind. There goes rush hour!

[Timize]

I couldn't believe what I saw. When Dick Cheney presented Betty with the flag that was on the casket, I shed tears. My whole family did, too. It was an extremely moving image.

[AMCFan1]

I broke down when Betty kissed the flag. My mom is crying, too.

What a lovely family the Ford's are.

I'm happy Grand Rapids (and West Michigan) has showed so much love and respect. I knew we would.

[mpchicago]

It was a very moving day, and the weather couldn

[torgo]

There were people all over downtown around 5 today during the ceremony. I was driving down 131 during the flyover, and traffic pretty much came to a stop when the jets came into view. There were people as far down as the 54th St overpass just watching the flyover. I didn't expect that.

[tamias6]

I watched the service held at Grace Episcipal Church and the Interment on WOOD TV 8. I must say it was a very moving experience. Everything could not have ran more smoothly while the response from the people was astondling. Therefore I'm very proud to be a part of Grand Rapids as this city collectively put its best foot forward in respectfully sending off a very historical man with the whole world watching. In short, this was Grand Rapids, MI at its finest. Absolutly beautiful!

[sparky05]

Godspeed, President Ford

[GRDadof3]

For those that couldn't make it downtown for the internment, cannon firing and flyover, we gotcha covered. We had a great vantage point from the Pearl Street off-ramp. I was stunned driving into downtown. There were people lining every bridge and every rooftop everywhere you looked.

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Let's shine a little more light on all the people on Pearl St Bridge.

Here they come.

The Missing Man

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[egrguy]

Thanks Grdad, those are some great photos of the funeral events. A very respectful and community driven farewell.

[6th Gen local]

Great pictures Sparky05 and GRdad.

[NorthEnder]

Great pictures Sparky05 and GRdad.

[sparky05]

Great pictures, GRDad, especially of the flyover. They're appreciated.

I think after all of this, I have a much deeper sense of respect for President Ford. Our community really is blessed to have had him, and it's an incredible honor to be entrusted with the safekeeping of his final resting place.

[numstead]

from the roof of 70 Ionia...

[NorthEnder]

Great pictures, GRDad, especially of the flyover. They're appreciated.

I think after all of this, I have a much deeper sense of respect for President Ford. Our community really is blessed to have had him, and it's an incredible honor to be entrusted with the safekeeping of his final resting place.

[Weallneedhistory]

I was on the 6th street bridge with roughly a few hundred other spectators. What a view!!!! Were those jets just beautifully illuminated by the sunset or what!? From my vantage, they appeared to almost glow on the wing tips, like there was neon on them. Then when the F-15 executing the "missing man" hit Bridgewater, he started his climb and so he ended up going vertical directly over the the 6th St. Bridge. The glow from the burners all the way up - the bridge broke out in applause after someone yelled God Bless America.

Since I taped the whole funeral I can now spend time watching that. I had to leave after Carters message to get my parking spot dtwn.

Very, very moving day.

[GRDadof3]

A very moving day indeed. It took us over an hour to get out of downtown, but we ended up hopping on I-196 at Lane Ave heading East, and caught the reflection of the sunset on the downtown buildings, with the full moon behind. It was the most incredible sight to end the day. If I could have only pulled off the highway.

[NorthEnder]

A very moving day indeed. It took us over an hour to get out of downtown, but we ended up hopping on I-196 at Lane Ave heading East, and caught the reflection of the sunset on the downtown buildings, with the full moon behind. It was the most incredible sight to end the day. If I could have only pulled off the highway.