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.