A Moment In Grand Rapids

[MzDiz]

I was watching President Ford's burial service on television this afternoon, and while I live just north of Grand Rapids, Michigan, I didn't have the bravery to venture downtown. My son was there with a few of his friends though, and my husband was telling me about the traffic that had come to a dead stop on the expressway as the jets roared overhead and people got out of their cars to see something they may never see again. He stopped, nearly speechless, when the wingman broke off from the formation right above his head. Not five minutes later, I heard the roar of the jets through the walls of my house as they rumbled through the the sky over our little town making a wide U-turn back.

Just a moment in my day, I guess.

Rest in peace, Mister President.

 

[Geoff_M]

I took four Scouts from my troop and another leader an hour up the road today to join the rest of the Scouts that lined the motorcade route for the funeral. I was expecting a mad house of traffic and people. It was the exact opposite. It was the best of the Midwest on display. We found a parking spot with no problems, walked to a spot along the route and waited about an hour. Everyone was pleasant and polite, Scouts and non-Scouts alike.

When the time came and the motorcade came by, all the Scouts and Scouters stood at attention and saluted. We were in the first block or so of the long line of Scout troops that lined Fulton St. It was really neat to watch all of the family members in the first cars, Betty Ford included, smile, clap their hands and give us the "thumbs up" as they passed. Some members of the military VIPs in the cars also returned the salutes. It was a moment my son and I won't soon forget.

 

[MzDiz]

Watching the scouts salute the motorcade really choked me up. There were so many "moments" on television alone today that I feel privileged to have witnessed.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Incredible.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Thats pretty cool. I was right next to Dobbins Air Force Base last year when Air Force One took off after the President had been here for a speech. It was an incredible sight. I think that would have been more so.

 

[NC State]

Watching the scouts salute the motorcade really choked me up. There were so many "moments" on television alone today that I feel privileged to have witnessed.

Proud to be an American

 

[Maude4Disney]

We had a very similar experience today. DS and I were able to see the jets prior to the fly by, due to the delay, they were flying over our home. DH on the other hand was one of those stopped on the expressway when they did the fly over and he was amazed as well at the stand still of the city. As much as I wanted to venture downtown to pay my respects I wasn't feeling well enough to go.

 

[Kitty 34]

I didn't venture to Grand Rapids but watched it on WoodTV.....incredible coverage by them and a beautiful example of Midwest at it's best.

RIP President Ford.

 

[floridafam]

My Mom and Dad went and were speechless. I guess it was really moving.

 

[christineann]

He was my President, and I voted for him in my first election. I will miss him.