"A government big enough to give you everthing you want is a government big enough to take everything you have." - President Ford"I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, so I ask you to confirm me with your prayers." - President FordAs our nation mourns the loss of the 38
th President, Gerald R. Ford, I find myself thinking back to what I actually remember concerning the man and his presidency. I was 11 years old and living in Pensacola, Fl when President Ford assumed office on August 9, 1974, in the aftermath of President Nixon's resignation over the
Watergate scandal. I actually remember very little and what I do remember is more like vague images rather than specific details. I remember how the Watergate scandal consumed the news I watched and that because of that issue
President Nixon resigned. I remember President Ford being made fun of by television talk shows and comedians because he once
stumbled while exiting
Air Force One. I remember President Ford taking swift military action against the Khmer Rouge of Cambodia for the seizure of the container ship the
SS Mayaguez. I remember the controversy when he pardoned President Nixon from the Watergate charges and I remember his loss to
President Jimmy Carter in 1976.
As an adult I appreciate more what President Ford's presidency meant for our nation in the context of the time. In the midst of political scandal, criminal activity, the war in Vietnam and a really poor economy our form of
government worked. There was not a
coup d'etat but a relatively smooth transition of power and control guided by our
Constitution and implemented by our elected officials. To read more about President Ford check out his
Libraries website.
