Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Honors from ‘sea to shining sea’ By Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith
                National Guard Bureau
 Guard members help lay former president to rest ARLINGTON, Va. -  National Guard men and women across the nation paid their respects and supported the country’s tribute to Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States, who died at the age of 93 on Dec. 26. Ford’s services extended from his retirement home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., to Washington, D.C., to his final resting place at the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, Mich., where he grew up to become a 12-term member and minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. A total of 804 Guardmembers took part, according to the National Guard Bureau. They served as military escorts, pall bearers, in firing parties and in military bands. Guardmembers from the District of Columbia and surrounding states volunteered to serve as escort drivers and baggage handlers during the New Year’s weekend. They also supported missions in the National Capitol Region as the former president lay in state until Jan. 2. The Michigan National Guard provided overwhelming support to Ford’s burial on a hillside just north of the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids. At least 600 Guard members supported the final ceremonies there Jan. 3, including Ford’s internment. Ford’s longest term of federal service was as U.S. representative for Michigan’s Fifth Congressional District. He served in the House of Representatives from 1949 to 1973. The Michigan Army Guard’s 126th Army Band provided music for three ceremonies, the American Forces Press Service reported. Band members considered Ford an old friend. “We played for Ford’s 90th birthday, the dedication and rededication of Ford’s museum and library,” said 1st Sgt. James Zwarensteyn, the drum major and a member of that band for his entire 37-year military career. “This is bigger, though. For it to be on a worldwide stage, and for someone so important to this state, [it] is just a tremendous honor for us to be involved.” “We are taking a very active role in the funeral for President Ford,” said Chief Master Sgt. John Loser, Michigan’s public affairs superintendent, believing it be a first for the state. “The men and women of the Michigan National Guard are greatly honored to serve in this ceremony to bring home our former president and Michigan native to his final resting place in Grand Rapids,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas Cutler, adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard. President Ford took the oath of office as president on Aug. 9, 1974. Prior to that, Ford was the 40th Vice President of the United States under President Richard Nixon. He was confirmed and sworn in on Dec. 6, 1973. As part of the “Greatest Generation,” Ford served in the Naval Reserve during World War II. He joined as an ensign in 1942 and was discharged as a lieutenant commander in 1946.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 80 Years Ago, National Guard Units Played Key Role in D-Day Landings
 By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy,
  Alaska Guard Soldiers Honored Before Middle East Deployment
 By Balinda ONeal,
  Idaho National Guard, German JTACs Train Together
 By Mike Freeman,
  More
 Idaho National Guard, German JTACs Train Together Guard News • 11 hours ago
 Tennessee National Guard Rescues 2 Injured Hikers Guard News • yesterday
 Kentucky Air Guard to Fly at D-Day Observance in France Guard News • yesterday
 New York National Guard Soldiers Aid Subway Stabbing Victim Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Civil Engineer Airmen Develop Multi-Capable Skills Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (174)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil