In a moment that bridged political divides and personal rivalries, the late President Gerald Ford's prescient words for his once-competitor, former President Jimmy Carter, were delivered at Carter's funeral in Washington's National Cathedral. Steven Ford, the son of President Ford, gave voice to the eulogy his father had penned in anticipation of this day, highlighting the transformation from political adversaries to cherished friends.
The gesture fulfilled a mutual promise, as recounted in an interview by Carter to 13 ON YOUR SIDE's Juliet Dragos in 2014, where the late presidents agreed to deliver eulogies for each other depending on who passed first, a pact that continues to resonate with many. At Ford's funeral in 2007, Carter honored this agreement, and several years later, with Ford's passing 18 years before Carter's in late 2024, the duty fell upon his son to echo his father's sentiments, as reported by WZZM13.
In his eulogy, obtained by CBS Detroit, Ford's remarks underscored the common values and respect that bridged the physical distance and political divide between him and Carter. Ford wrote, "According to a map, it's a long way between Grand Rapids, Michigan and Plains, Georgia. But distances have a way of vanishing when measured in values rather than miles."
Steven Ford shared an anecdote about the two presidents finding common ground on a flight to Cairo for Anwar Sadat's funeral. While they feared the flight's long duration, it became a crucible for their enduring friendship. In the spirit of former presidents exercising their privilege to forget past slights, both found solace and enjoyment in discussing a range of topics, from family to public service. This bond was celebrated by many including those on the flight, as Steve Ford disclosed during the ceremony, according to HuffPost.
The service also included a eulogy by Carter's own Vice President Walter Mondale, which was read by Mondale’s son. These posthumous tributes underscored the depth of camaraderie transcending both time and politics, a sentiment Ford captured with his closing words, "As for myself, Jimmy, I’m looking forward to our reunion. We have much to catch up on. Thank you, Mr. President. Welcome home, old friend," which Steve Ford, visibly moved, relayed to the attendees. The funerals and their reciprocal eulogies not only marked the ends of two lives but celebrated the profound connections that can arise from shared experience and mutual respect, as reported by CBS Detroit.
