The son giving life to his late fathers words, the words of another commander in chief — Grand Rapids’ own Gerald Ford. “According to a map, it’s a long way between Grand Rapids, Michigan to Plains, Georgia,” said Ford, reading his father’s words.

Former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral was a somber time of remembrance, but also a celebration of a century of life, well-lived.

Jan. 19 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1861, Georgia voted to secede from the Union and joined the Confederacy. In 1920, threats against the life of Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, because of his activities in suppressing criminal radicalism, led officials to take every precaution to guard the head of the Justice Department.

US President Joe Biden announced Monday that two of the Navy's future aircraft carriers will be named for former commanders-in-chief Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Carter was narrowly elected, garnering 50.1 percent of the vote to Ford’s 48, as the president made a late charge to almost overcome a double-digit deficit in the polls. The two presidents had a chilly relationship after that contest.

In a column I wrote before last November's election, I mentioned that the first time I ever visited Washington, D.C. was during a middle-school trip. It happened to be during

"By fate of a brief season, Jimmy Carter and I were rivals, but for the many wonderful years that followed, friendship bonded us as no two presidents since John Adams

Thursday concluded six days of national rites that began in Plains, where Carter, a former Naval officer, engineer and peanut farmer, was born in 1924, lived most of his life and died after 22 months in hospice care.

The nation's 39th president is buried alongside his late wife in the same town where they were born, lived most of their lives and died.

Carter, at 100 the nation’s longest living president, died Dec. 29 at his home in Plains. The scene this week in Washington, at the National Cathedral Thursday and as he was lying in state for three days at the Capitol, was unlike anything the country had seen in years.

Steve Ford, son of President Gerald Ford, praised Carter's post-presidency achievements ... former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in Plains, Georgia.

Thursday's services capped six days of remembrance for Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100. Following the honors in Washington, it was his wish to be buried in his hometown of Plains, next to his beloved wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter.