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US Capitol to honour Ford memory Ford's body arrives in Washington
(about 2 hours later)
The body of former US President Gerald Ford has been flown to Washington for ceremonies in his honour after his death on Tuesday at the age of 93. Ceremonies have begun in Washington to honour the former US President, Gerald Ford, who died on Tuesday, aged 93.
After a funeral procession to the US Capitol, the body will lie in state ahead of a memorial service on Tuesday. Mr Ford's coffin was flown to an air base in the capital and was received by honorary pallbearers including US Vice President Dick Cheney.
A solemn procession to the US Capitol followed, where the body will lie in state until Tuesday.
Earlier in California, thousands of mourners paid their final respects at a church where Mr Ford used to worship.Earlier in California, thousands of mourners paid their final respects at a church where Mr Ford used to worship.
President Bush said he had displayed a decency, patriotism and courage that the US would always admire. After a cross-country flight, Mr Ford's body arrived at Andrews Air Force Base.
Mr Ford, the 38th US president, served from 1974-76. Other pallbearers include former Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, and Gerald Ford's half-brother, Richard.
His flag-draped coffin was carried into St Margaret's Episcopal church on Friday by a military guard of honour, and was met by Mr Ford's widow Betty, 88, his children and grandchildren. A modest motorcade then made its way towards Capitol Hill, where Mr Ford spent nearly 25 years as a representative in the House, before serving as the 38th US president from 1974-76.
Mrs Ford stood in silence after the casket was laid at the altar with three wreaths of white flowers, before the private family service began. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS Friday: Viewing at California church where he worshipped in Palm DesertSaturday: Lying in state begins at US Capitol Tuesday: Day of national mourning, funeral at National Cathedral in WashingtonWednesday: Service and burial in Grand Rapids, Michigan href="/1/hi/world/americas/863634.stm" class="">Gerald Ford: Obituary href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6211997.stm" class="">Life in pictures href="/1/hi/world/americas/6212569.stm" class="">In quotes: Reaction to death
There was a pause in front of Washington's WWII memorial in homage to Mr Ford's wartime service in the US navy before another ceremony at the steps of the Capitol Building.
In a tribute in his weekly radio address on Saturday, President Bush described Mr Ford as "one of the finest public servants America has ever known".
"Gerald Ford's life spanned nine decades, and took him from the football fields of his boyhood in Michigan to the halls of power in Washington DC. At every stage of his journey he displayed a decency, patriotism and courage that America will always admire," he said.
The series of solemn tributes to Mr Ford began on Friday with a private family service at St Margaret's Episcopal Church in California, where the former president used to worship.
Later, the family was joined by some 300 guests, including former Secretary of State George Schultz and former New York Congressman Jack Kemp.Later, the family was joined by some 300 guests, including former Secretary of State George Schultz and former New York Congressman Jack Kemp.
Thousands of mourners later paid their final respects.
Bush speechBush speech
The former president had suffered ill health this year and was taken to hospital four times for tests and angioplasty. He suffered a stroke in 2000.The former president had suffered ill health this year and was taken to hospital four times for tests and angioplasty. He suffered a stroke in 2000.
He was unelected, taking office after Richard Nixon quit over the Watergate scandal.He was unelected, taking office after Richard Nixon quit over the Watergate scandal.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS Friday: Viewing at California church where he worshipped in Palm DesertSaturday: Lying in state begins at US Capitol Tuesday: Day of national mourning, funeral at National Cathedral in WashingtonWednesday: Service and burial in Grand Rapids, Michigan Gerald Ford: Obituary Life in pictures In quotes: Reaction to death
President George W Bush led tributes to Mr Ford, saying he helped restore confidence in his office after Watergate.President George W Bush led tributes to Mr Ford, saying he helped restore confidence in his office after Watergate.
He is expected to pay his respects once he returns to Washington on Monday. The president will also speak at Tuesday's funeral service at the National Cathedral.He is expected to pay his respects once he returns to Washington on Monday. The president will also speak at Tuesday's funeral service at the National Cathedral.
Mr Ford's coffin will then be taken to Grand Rapids, Michigan - where he spent most of his childhood and practised law - for burial on a hillside near his presidential library on Wednesday.Mr Ford's coffin will then be taken to Grand Rapids, Michigan - where he spent most of his childhood and practised law - for burial on a hillside near his presidential library on Wednesday.
In a tribute in his weekly radio address on Saturday, Mr Bush said:
"Gerald Ford's life spanned nine decades, and took him from the football fields of his boyhood in Michigan to the halls of power in Washington DC. At every stage of his journey he displayed a decency, patriotism and courage that America will always admire.
"As we say goodbye to the year 2006, we bid farewell to one of the finest public servants America has ever known. "