State funeral for former President Ford
ANDREWS AFB, Md. -- Former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter bid a farewell to President Gerald R. Ford during the departure ceremony here Tuesday. There were 20 honorary pallbearers who were personally asked by President Ford to serve. Honorary pallbearers are ceremonial escorts and personal honor guard for the former president. The men and women represent President Ford and his many close and personal friends from across America, according to the State Funeral News Release. The first national funeral the nation mourned occurred April 19, 1865, in observance of Abraham Lincoln’s death, according to the Military District of Washington Web site at www.mdw.army.mil. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Laura Cirksena) (Released)

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Photo by: Airman st Class Laura Cirksena Released |  VIRIN: 070102-F-0054C-036.JPG