President Gerald R. Ford

The death and national mourning of former President Gerald R. Ford was largely overshadowed by other events over the New Year holiday weekend.

The execution of Saddam Hussein and its aftermath, complete with gruesome videos of the moments leading up to the hanging, and the days of tribute to James Brown, Augusta’s own “Godfather of Soul”, crowded out the television coverage of the death of the 38th President.

Though that was unavoidable, it would be a shame if Americans of all ages did not take time to reflect on the contribution of this good man from Michigan who attained the highest office in the land at one of the most critical times in our nation’s history.

The disgrace and resignation of Richard Nixon, for those of us who lived through it, was one of the truly riveting events of the last half of the twentieth century. Gerald Ford, the first appointed vice-president, assumed the task of assuring the country that our democracy and the rule of law was not threatened by the events surrounding what is collectively known as “Watergate”.

His calm demeanor and obvious strength of character is just what was needed to stabilize a ship of state that had been taking on water for several years. He succeeded greatly, but fell victim in the next election to the political backlash of the pardon of his predecessor. History would ultimately prove that he acted wisely and unselfishly, and paid the price for it.

We are grateful for the years of service rendered to this country by President Gerald Ford.