Former President Jimmy Carter: A Life Honored by All

The nation's leaders are coming together to say goodbye to Jimmy Carter, the 39th president, in a weeklong event that culminates in a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral. All five living U. S. presidents will attend, setting aside their political differences to pay respects to a leader who aimed to unify the country. Carter, who passed away last week, has been lying in state at the Capitol for the past two days. His final journey will include a special service at the cathedral, followed by a flight back to his small hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he will be laid to rest near his childhood home. The service, scheduled for 10 a. m. , will include all the traditional elements of a national ceremony. President Biden will deliver a eulogy, along with Jimmy Carter's grandson, Jason Carter, and Stuart E. Eizenstat, a long-time friend and former White House domestic adviser. Previously written eulogies by Gerald Ford and Walter Mondale will be read by their sons. Gerald Ford, whom Carter defeated in the 1976 election, later became a friend, and Walter Mondale served as Carter's vice president for four years. The funeral honors Carter's presidency from 1977 to 1981, a period marked by efforts to heal the nation after the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. The gathering of the nation's leaders underscores the enduring respect for Carter's legacy and his commitment to unity.