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)

State funeral for former President Ford

ANDREWS AFB, Md. -- The U.S. Air Force Band, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, marches off the flight line Tuesday after playing "Ruffles and Flourishes," "Hail to the Chief" and "Goin’ Home" during the departure ceremony for former President Gerald R. Ford. (U.S. Air Force photo by Bobby Jones)(Released)

State funeral for former President Ford

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. --The casket of President Gerald R. Ford passes in front of Vice President Richard B. Cheney and former Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, serving as honorary pallbearers, in a farewell to President Ford, during a military departure ceremony held in his honor Tuesday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher J. Matthews)(RELEASED)

State funeral for former President Ford

ANDREWS AFB, Md. -- Former First Lady Betty Ford is escorted by Maj. Gen. Guy C. Swan III, Joint Task Force National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington commanding general, as the remains of President Gerald R. Ford arrives in his casket at Andrews as part of the national farewell funeral procession honoring the former commander-in-chief. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt Craig Clapper)