SAN
DIEGO,
CA — What has become a familiar scene of late—the leaders of our nation
gathering at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. to mourn the
passing of a retired U.S. president—transpired once again with today with
televised ceremonies for Gerald R. Ford, America's 38th chief
executive.
Ford, generally credited for "healing the nations wounds" following
the trauma of Watergate, had been appointed Vice President after Spiro Agnew
had to resign the office in a bribery scandal. Then, he stepped up the
presidency when the man who appointed him—Richard M. Nixon (37th) —stepped
down rather than face almost certain conviction and removal from office by the
U.S. Senate. Ford later pardoned Nixon, generating intense controversy
that most historians believe was a large factor in his defeat in 1976 by Jimmy
Carter (39th), who was among today's mourners.
Others in attendance were George W. Bush (43rd), the current president; Bill
Clinton (42nd), Bush's predecessor, and George H.W. Bush (41st), Bush's
father, who served two administrations ago. The images of the service, as
shown by the CBS network, were reminiscent of those the nation watched in June
2004 during the mourning period for former President Ronald Regan (40th).
Widowed former First Lady Betty Ford attends funeral
officiated by Rev. Dr. Robert Certain, rector of St. Margaret's Episcopal
Church (right, second photo). Among attendees (3rd photo) were, front
row, l-r, President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush; second row
former President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush. Following
conclusion of eulogies, a military honor guard escorted the casket from
National Cathedral.
I watched the climax of the funeral on television at the home
of Shimon Camiel, where a walking group gathered for a trip through Mission
Hills and Middletown, with the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge to be the
highlight of our perambulation. The other walkers in our group were Dan
Schaffer, Frank Borkat, and Dick Eger.
Top Row, Shimon & Joyce Glassman Camiel's home in Mission Hills, which as
one can see from its street pennants, celebrates its architecture (In
these cases, a Craftsman bungalow and a Spanish revival). The walkers
are, from left, Shimon Camiel, Dick Eger, Frank Borkat, and delivering a
two-handed rabbinical blessing unto us, Dan Schaffer. High point--and
shakiest too--was the Spruce Street Suspension Footbridge built over a canyon
in 1912. Shimon in foreground and Frank smiled before making the
crossing. I followed Shimon; the other fellows followed me, and we all
were so energized by the experience we went to the
friendly donut store. Now, as I know Nancy will be reading this, let me
hasten to say that I at least did not have a donut; I had what I am certain
was a quite healthy snack, a blueberry muffin. Back at Shimon's house, I found
in the restroom a picture of
Shor's and my favorite biblical character, Noah, so I couldn't resist snapping
a photo.
On Dick Eger's t-shirt was a fascinating (if off-color)
comparison of the philosophies of the world religions, which, I, as an alleged
scholar of such matters, felt obliged to copy for the edification of the
readers of this journal.