Nation gathers to remember Jimmy Carter at state funeral

By Shirleen Guerra
The Center Square

Jimmy Carter, first former American president to live to 100, was eulogized at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday and will be remembered before a second service and burial back in his Georgia hometown of Plains.

Five living presidents – Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump – sat in the first two rows. Biden was among those sharing a eulogy.

Carter's body and his family traveled by motorcade to Joint Base Andrews for Special Air Mission 39 back to Plains, where he'll be remembered at Maranatha Baptist Church later Thursday afternoon. A private interment at Carter's residence, beside his wife of 77 years Rosalynn, will conclude the days-long services honoring the 39th president.

Political leaders, family and admirers gathered to celebrate his life and legacy with the Carter family.

Jill Biden and former first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Melania Trump were also in the first two rows. Michelle Obama was unable to attend. Cameras caught collegial moments exchanged between Donald Trump, the president-elect, and Barack Obama, and former Vice President Mike Pence.

Eulogies were poignant in remembrance, and perhaps none more than the last from 92-year-old Rev. Andrew Young while seated next to the casket. 

As described the differences of the civil rights era, he said, "I don't mean this with any disrespect; it's still hard for me to understand how you could get to be president," and he paused before saying, "from Plains, Georgia."

The reaction, his and the mourners, was filled with chuckles. And he continued, explaining how even his friend Dr. Martin Luther King felt about Plains and Sumter County.

King thought the sheriff one of the meanest in the civil rights era, and when Young and Carter met, he found his new friend Jimmy saying, "He's a friend of mine."

"That was't what I wanted to hear," Young said to more chuckles.

"He became the friend of the minority," Carter's U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said. He added that Carter went out of his way and for those who had grown up in various conflicts.

Young noted how Carter inspired him through actions, saying he was a "blessing that helped to create the great United States of America. And for all of us, and many who are not able to be here, I want to say, 'Thank you. You have been a blessing from God, and your spirit will remain with us."

Grandsons Joshua and Jason gave eulogies with insight to the private lives, saying their grandfather was much the same there as in public.

Joshua Carter touched on the humanitarian and family-centered man. He described how his life was spent "helping those in need," how Carter "eliminated diseases in forgotten places," and how Carter "waged peace" worldwide.

Jason Carter, chairman of the Carter Center Board of Trustees, spoke on the type of home the Carters had, noting the Ziploc bags that hung beside the sink and the photos that papered across the refrigerator of children and grandchildren.

He told of reminiscing on the corded phone and said his grandparents remained "small town" people who never forgot who they were and where they were from.

He noted that as governor of Georgia a half-century ago, his grandfather preached an end to racial discrimination and mass incarceration. And, he essentially eradicated a disease, waged peace, and ran the nation with love and respect.

"To me, his life was a love story from the moment he woke up until he laid his head," Jason Carter said.

Steve Ford, son of former president Gerald Ford, gave a eulogy written by his father.

"God did a good thing when he made your dad," said Ford, "one of my deepest and most enduring friendships."

Ford reminisced about the friendship between Carter and his father, noting that Gerald Ford wrote that the 1976 election brought about "one of my deepest and most enduring friendships."

Ted Mondale, son of Carter's late vice president Walter, read a letter from his father in honor of his former running mate.

Walter Mondale had written that he was surprised that Carter chose him as his running mate for the 1976 campaign, noting that his only requests presented to Carter were that he contribute to the team and not be "embarrassed, as many of my predecessors had."

Walter Mondale wrote that Carter "protected him from humiliation" faced by other vice presidents. He remarked on the friendship and welcoming nature of the former president and former first lady, detailing the continuous friendship between the two.

Ted Mondale, in the words of his father, spoke in length about Carter's time in and out of office, focusing on the efforts Carter made to address climate change for future generations and noting how the former president was "far sighted."

In his remarks, Mondale touched on the equality for women that the former president pushed for, appointing "five times as many women to the federal bench as all of the previous presidents."

Former White House domestic affairs adviser Stuart Eizenstat said, "For one of our nation's most religious presidents, it's appropriate to celebrate Jimmy Carter's remarkable life in this magnificent cathedral."

Eizenstat noted Carter's "unshakeable sense of right and wrong" and the integrity he brought to the White House after Watergate.

Eizenstat chairs the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, which Carter established.

"He may not be a candidate for Mount Rushmore, but he belongs in the foothills," Eizenstat said, noting the legislative achievements and the bipartisan support Carter garnered.

Biden was the last speaker before Young. He told of his long friendship with Carter that started in 1974 when he was a senator and endorsed Carter for president.

Biden repeated "character" three times describing what he believed Carter's "enduring attribute." He noted that Carter taught him the strength of character and that "everyone should be treated with dignity and respect."

"We have an obligation to give hate no safe harbor," Biden said.

He noted the importance of standing up to "abuse in power." Biden praised Carter's faith in God and his enduring faith in America.

"The very journey of our nation is a walk of sheer faith, to do the work, to be the country we say we are, to be the country we say we want to be," Biden said. "Today, many think he was from a bygone era, but in reality, he saw well into the future."

Biden noted that Carter made every minute count during his 100 years.

"I miss him," said Biden, "but I take solace in knowing that he and his beloved Rosalynn are reunited again."

Biden ended his speech with, "God bless you, Jimmy Carter," touching his casket as he passed.

John Denver's "Imagine" was among the music selected for the memorial, performed by country singers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. “The Road Home” was shared by the Cathedral Choir and “Amazing Grace” by Phyllis Adams and Lelia Bolden of Song Rise to Thee. The U.S. Marine Orchestra and Armed Forces Chorus offered “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”

Several foreign dignitaries, including recently resigned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, were in attendance for the former president. Seated near Trudeau was Prince William. Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also attended.