Guard members help lay former president to rest
ARLINGTON, Va. - National Guard men and women across the nation paid their respects and supported the country’s tribute to Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States, who died at the age of 93 on Dec. 26.
Ford’s services extended from his retirement home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., to Washington, D.C., to his final resting place at the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he grew up to become a 12-term member and minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.
A total of 804 Guardmembers took part, according to the National Guard Bureau. They served as military escorts, pall bearers, in firing parties and in military bands.
Guardmembers from the District of Columbia and surrounding states volunteered to serve as escort drivers and baggage handlers during the New Year’s weekend. They also supported missions in the National Capitol Region as the former president lay in state until Jan. 2.
The Michigan National Guard provided overwhelming support to Ford’s burial on a hillside just north of the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids. At least 600 Guard members supported the final ceremonies there Jan. 3, including Ford’s internment.
Ford’s longest term of federal service was as U.S. representative for Michigan’s Fifth Congressional District. He served in the House of Representatives from 1949 to 1973.
The Michigan Army Guard’s 126th Army Band provided music for three ceremonies, the American Forces Press Service reported. Band members considered Ford an old friend.
“We played for Ford’s 90th birthday, the dedication and rededication of Ford’s museum and library,” said 1st Sgt. James Zwarensteyn, the drum major and a member of that band for his entire 37-year military career. “This is bigger, though. For it to be on a worldwide stage, and for someone so important to this state, [it] is just a tremendous honor for us to be involved.”
“We are taking a very active role in the funeral for President Ford,” said Chief Master Sgt. John Loser, Michigan’s public affairs superintendent, believing it be a first for the state.
“The men and women of the Michigan National Guard are greatly honored to serve in this ceremony to bring home our former president and Michigan native to his final resting place in Grand Rapids,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas Cutler, adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard.
President Ford took the oath of office as president on Aug. 9, 1974. Prior to that, Ford was the 40th Vice President of the United States under President Richard Nixon. He was confirmed and sworn in on Dec. 6, 1973. As part of the “Greatest Generation,” Ford served in the Naval Reserve during World War II. He joined as an ensign in 1942 and was discharged as a lieutenant commander in 1946.