Flying at Half-Mast

It's a rather subdued day. We heard the news just as we were getting settled in for bedtime last night.

Gerald Ford, 38th President, Dies at 93 (from the New York Times)

Gerald Ford dies at 93 (MS-NBC)

The earliest memory I have of former President Ford is Election Day, 1976. I know, Jimmy Carter was elected. But I remember my teacher (I was in 5th grade) asking us the next day, "How many of you think Gerald Ford is President?" A few raised their hands. "How many think Jimmy Carter is President?" Another few raised their hands. "Oh, but you're wrong," she said with a smile. Our first lesson (or at least, the earliest I can recall being taught) about the whole Election Day to Inauguration Day "lame duck" period. Kinda cool that I remember that moment 30 years later.

So today, we're putting the flag at half-mast to mourn the passing of our oldest surviving President. I'm not going to get into a lot of political stuff here - I'm just not a politics person. But like with the passing of Ronald Reagan, it's the end of an era, a rekindling of memories and moments in history that a lot of people will be talking about for days and weeks to come. Another "This Day in History" article for December 26th.

Rest in peace, Mr. Ford. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

=) JB