I had been aware of this for some time prior to the former PresidentÂ’s death, and was surprised not to see it mentioned during the course of the funeral coverage. But now the news is official, and I am pleased to report it now.

The Navy said Tuesday its next aircraft carrier will be named the USS Gerald R. Ford in honor of the late president, a tribute to his love of the Navy.

Ford, who served in the Navy during World War II, died Dec. 26 at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif., at 93. Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld had said the Navy was planning the honor during a eulogy at Ford's funeral.

"President Ford will always be an example to us of personal kindness, loyalty and coolness under pressure," said Vice President Dick Cheney, who served as Ford's chief of staff, during a Pentagon ceremony.

Susan Ford Bales said her father had mentioned the impending honor in a letter to a friend shortly before his death. He wrote, "In my life, I have received countless honors, but none was greater than the opportunity to wear the uniform of lieutenant commander of the United States Navy."

The former president wrote it was a "a source of indescribable pride and humility to know that an aircraft carrier bearing my name may be permanently associated with the valor and patriotism of the men and women of the United States Navy."

And this is an appropriate honor as well, for Lt. Gerald Ford was responsible for saving the carrier USS Monterey during a fire in 1944. That heroism alone makes this a fitting decision, even without considering all he subsequently did to serve this country.

Wikipedia has some information about ">USS Gerald R. Ford, which will be the lead ship of its class.

Posted by: Greg at 11:32 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 Are there a couple of garbage scows on the drawing board to adequately commemorate the legacies of two of our worst Presidents -- USS Bill Clinton & USS Jimmy Carter?

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2 If the carrier launches an attack on the US, will it get an automatic pardon?

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