On the grounds of the Presidential Museum, trumpeters play “Taps” from the hill overlooking the tomb of Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president and his wife, former First Lady Betty Ford.
The ceremony combines two traditions.
First, the observance of a deceased president’s birthday in which the sitting president sends a wreath presented by a military officer.
Second, a personal tribute created by Betty Ford representing the president’s legacy: law enforcement, Boy Scouts, local leaders, and the Secret Service.
“I think there was a great mutual respect between the Ford family and us.”
Kyle Viegelahn is Resident Agent-in-Charge of the Grand Rapids office of the Secret Service. He spoke to the relationship between the president and the agency.
“It lasted 38 years that he had protection with the Secret Service so obviously in 38 years, that’s generations of agents that come and go.”
That protection included investigating two assassination attempts on Ford in 1975 and protection for him and his family after his time in office.
Gerald Ford died in 2006 and was buried on the grounds of his presidential museum in
Grand Rapids.
Betty Ford died in 2011 and was buried next to her husband on what would have been his 96th birthday.
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ford’s historic presidency with a new temporary exhibit, "Ford at 50: Decisions that Defined a Presidency" running through August 19.
