Justin Lee

At the memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter held at the Washington National Cathedral last Thursday, Steve Ford delivered a touching eulogy that was penned years earlier by his father, the late former President Gerald Ford, before his passing in 2006. Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. It was none other than Jimmy Carter who defeated Ford in the 1976 presidential election to become the 39th President of the United States. How is it that two political rivals from different parties became close friends in their later years and agreed to write eulogies for each other?

Let's start by reading the introduction by Steve Ford at the memorial service.

In the twilight of my dad’s life, Dad and President Carter spoke by phone and Dad asked President Carter if he would do a eulogy at Dad’s funeral. President Carter graciously agreed — and then he also asked if Dad would deliver a eulogy at President Carter’s funeral.

Now, Dad was thrilled to agree. After that call, as you can imagine, both of them got off the phone, had a pretty good chuckle, considering which one of them would return in person to deliver that second eulogy. As you know, Dad died in 2006 and President Carter’s eulogy continues to bring comfort, smile, laughter, joy, pride to our family. And thus, on behalf of my dad, it’s an honor to share Dad’s eulogy to his old friend.

Let's start by reading the introduction by Steve Ford at the memorial service.

In the twilight of my dad’s life, Dad and President Carter spoke by phone and Dad asked President Carter if he would do a eulogy at Dad’s funeral. President Carter graciously agreed — and then he also asked if Dad would deliver a eulogy at President Carter’s funeral.

Now, Dad was thrilled to agree. After that call, as you can imagine, both of them got off the phone, had a pretty good chuckle, considering which one of them would return in person to deliver that second eulogy. As you know, Dad died in 2006 and President Carter’s eulogy continues to bring comfort, smile, laughter, joy, pride to our family. And thus, on behalf of my dad, it’s an honor to share Dad’s eulogy to his old friend.

(Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, in a surreal exchange, are writing eulogies, surrounded by historical memorabilia, in a solemn and poignant atmosphere, with vintage pens, presidential seals, and ink pads).

Here is an excerpt from the beginning of a eulogy written by Gerald Ford:

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 and Thomas Jefferson. It is said that President Adams’ last words were “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” Now since Jimmy has a good decade on me, I’m hedging my bets by entrusting my remembrances of Jimmy to my son Steve.

This eulogy is quite long, taking Steve Ford about 15 minutes to read, but we'll set aside the specifics for now. Next, let's take a look back at this interesting chapter in American history, focusing on the "friendly rivalry" between two very different presidents: Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. You might wonder why these two leaders, who experienced many political ups and downs, decided to exchange eulogies.

Gerald Ford was the 38th president of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. He took office following the Watergate scandal, succeeding Nixon. Ford is remembered as steady and calm, and his governing approach emphasized healing the nation, which earned him support among a turbulent populace in the 1970s. Meanwhile, our other main character, Jimmy Carter, transformed from a peanut farmer into a politician, winning the 1976 presidential election against Gerald Ford to become the 39th president, serving from 1977 to 1981. Carter's governing style was radically different from Ford's; he aimed to be a moral leader during a time filled with disappointment.

(In 1981, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford were on Air Force One.)

At first glance, it seems unlikely that these two presidents could be friends due to their ideological differences—Ford being more traditional and conservative, while Carter leans towards more progressive policies. However, their relationship actually transcends politics. These two pioneers in public service forged a unique bond that reflects mutual respect for one another.

The idea of exchanging eulogies between Ford and Carter originated from a handshake agreement they made during Ford's later years. The context of this agreement is often overlooked. As both men grew older, they became aware of the fragility of life. This direct acceptance of life’s brevity, coupled with a deep friendship that transcended party lines, allowed them to understand and complement each other. They both understood that the responsibilities and burdens of being a former president lingered beside them at all times.

This handshake agreement is not just symbolic; it promises that in the near future, they will be able to reflect on each other's contributions to the nation and the political legacies they have left behind. It represents an open self-acceptance of personal differences and a mutual appreciation for their shared goals during their time in office—goals primarily centered around healing the nation and upholding democratic values. In the years following their presidencies, the friendship between Ford and Carter deepened, especially in terms of cooperation, as they jointly supported various initiatives, including human rights and disaster relief efforts. It is admirable to think that two presidents who once held differing views on the political stage could collaborate so effectively. Their story reminds us that despite political differences, it is still possible to build friendships and foster mutual understanding.

The passing of Ford in December 2006 marked another significant turning point. Carter delivered a moving eulogy, reminiscing about this friend and rival, praising Ford's contributions to national unity and his ability to rise above political conflicts. Their relationship's transformation from political rivals to mutually respectful friends is truly touching.

Just last week, at President Carter's funeral, Ford's son read a eulogy written by his father for Carter during his lifetime, a moment that once again brought tears to many eyes… This friendship, which transcends time and politics, once more tells us that true understanding and cooperation can overcome all barriers.