By Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service Dec. 30, 2006 – The body of President Gerald R. Ford received a welcoming 21-gun salute at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., early this evening as part of final goodbyes that'll be made here to the nation's 38th chief executive. Ford died Dec. 26 at age 93 at his residence in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The fallen commander-in-chief grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will be buried on the grounds of his presidential museum there Jan. 3, after being honored here.  The president's remains and members of his family, including his widow and former first lady Betty Ford, were flown here today from California aboard a blue-and-white painted military VC-25, a 747-model jet like those used to transport President Bush.  Vice President Richard B. Cheney headed a delegation of distinguished officials, which included retired Sen. Bob Dole, as well as other senior civilian and military leaders, that met Ford's plane as it taxied to a stop on Andrews' tarmac.  A joint military honor guard carried Ford's flag-draped casket from the jet to an awaiting black Cadillac hearse. Members of the Army's 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) fired off the traditional 21-shot salute in Ford's honor with a group of ceremonial howitzers. The U.S. Air Force Band played "Hail to the Chief" and followed up with "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."  Mrs. Ford was a model of composure as she occasionally dabbed at tears with a handkerchief.  The plane carrying Ford's remains touched down at Andrews just after 5 p.m., and the arrival ceremony was completed within the hour. The funereal motorcade, including the hearse carrying Ford's remains and a black ribbon of trailing limousines and sport utility vehicles, departed the airbase en route to the U.S. Capitol.  On its way to the U.S. Capitol, the motorcade passed through Alexandria, Va., where Ford had lived for many years when he was a member of Congress. After leaving Virginia and entering Washington, the motorcade paused at the World War II Memorial. Upon reaching the Capitol, Ford's casket was ceremonially carried up the east steps of the House of Representatives and into the building. Ford's casket was placed at the open House doors honoring his time in Congress.  Afterward, Ford's remains will lie in state at the Capitol's Rotunda until the morning of Jan. 2, when they will be transported to the National Cathedral for a state funeral service. President Bush will speak at the service.  After the funeral service here, Ford's body will be flown to Grand Rapids, where it'll be buried Jan. 3.  Ford served as a U.S. Navy officer in the Pacific theater of operations during World War II. After the war, Ford was elected as a Republican member of Congress, where he represented Michigan for 24 years in the House of Representatives. In 1973, Ford became vice president in the administration of President Richard M. Nixon. Ford assumed the presidency when Nixon resigned in August 1974.  

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By Lance Cpl. Chris T. Mann, USMCSpecial to American Forces Press Service Dec. 30, 2006 – Field artillery Marines from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., conducted a 21-gun salute today as part of the departure ceremony for the California portion of the state funeral for former President Gerald R. Ford.  Ford, 93, died Dec. 26 at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif.  "The president sacrificed a tremendous amount on our behalf, and the ceremony was a way for us to honor him," said Marine Staff Sgt. Justin Y. Booker, a field artillery scout observer with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment.  More than 20 members from the artillery battery marched in unison on the tarmac of Palm Springs International Airport before taking their firing positions behind five 105 mm Howitzer cannons. The Marines grouped in teams of four behind each cannon. Each firing team consisted of a chief, a cannonier, an ammo technician, and a gunner.  Twenty-one cannon shots were fired with a five-second pause between each round while the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, played "Hail to the Chief."  Marines from the artillery regiment volunteered to participate in the ceremony. "The Marines under me are proud to be here and when asked (to come). They raised their hands and said, 'Pick me,'" said Gunnery Sgt. Donovan C. Thomas, a 33-year-old field artilleryman from Bronx, N.Y.  The artillery Marines arrived early this morningto prepare for the ceremony. Pfc. Jordan B. Yager helped prepare the cannons for firing in the ceremony. "Lots of rehearsal and hard work went into this," said Yager, a motor transportation operator.  "I'm proud to be part of something larger than myself," added the 20 year old from Modesto, Calif.  The ceremony closed out the California portion of the state funeral. Ford's remains were flown to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., to begin the nation's capital phase of the state funeral.  The 21-gun salute is an honor given to heads of state worldwide and is said to have originated during the 17th century, when fighting would be ceased in order to allow removal of the fallen from the battlefield.  Traditionally, the 21-gun salute is fired over a servicemember's grave in three rifle volleys. This was done during battle to signal the fight may continue.  

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By Seaman Damien E. Horvath, USNSpecial to American Forces Press Service Dec. 30, 2006 – More than 500 military members are supporting the California portion of the state funeral for former President Gerald R. Ford here yesterday and today. The military is providing ceremonial service, security and logistical support to honor and pay tribute to the 38th commander-in-chief and the Ford family.  Personnel from the Armed Forces Honor Guard, based in Washington D.C., served as members of the guard of honor and as body bearers during the arrival ceremony at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church yesterday.  "This is very somber time for all of us in the color guard," said Marine Pfc. Trae Shelton, of the Armed Forces Honor Guard. "We conduct ourselves with the highest reverence, professionalism, and honor to pay our respects to former President Ford and his family."  Air Force Airman 1st Class Lyle S. Carter, also from the Armed Forces Honor Guard, added, "It was a way for me to salute the former president and his legacy."  Participation in the state funeral impacted all branches of the Armed Services at many levels.  "As part of the Old Guard, we are proud to represent the Army as a whole," said Spc. John S. Tilley, of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as the The Old Guard, from Fort Myer, Va. "This is our chance to show our respect for the passing of the former president."  The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band from Twentynine Palms, Calif., provided musical honors and hymns for the ceremony.  "I am honored to be here paying homage and tribute to President Ford," said Master Sgt. Grady May, bandmaster for the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band at Twentynine Palms. "Every time the casket is moved, we render presidential honors, as well as play various hymns selected by the Ford family."  Nearly 350 Marines from Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force Training Command Twentynine Palms are providing security and host support for this phase of the state funeral. The Marine contingent is augmented with nearly 200 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Defense Department civilians.  "The team of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have done a phenomenal job of organizing and executing this phase of the state funeral," said Navy Capt. Mike Tillotson, deputy commander of Joint Task Force National Capital Region. "Their professionalism and pride is evident in every phase of honoring the 38th president and former commander-in-chief."  Former President Ford died in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Dec. 26 at the age of 93. After a departure ceremony at Palm Springs International Airport today, the remains of President Ford will be flown to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., for the Washington portion of the state funeral.  

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American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2006 – Coalition and Iraqi forces killed six terrorists and captured 32 suspected terrorists today, military officials reported.  Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained two others during a raid against al Qaeda terrorists today in Baghdad. While moving toward the targeted building, coalition forces encountered two armed men who had exited nearby buildings. Coalition forces assessed the two armed men as an immediate threat and engaged them. Both men were wounded.  Coalition forces immediately rendered first aid and transported the two men to a nearby medical facility. Upon further investigation, coalition forces determined the men were local nationals. The men are in stable condition.  Additional forces performing security outside the targeted building were confronted by two armed terrorists during the raid. The terrorists began maneuvering toward coalition forces despite the ground troops' repeated attempts to halt the men. The terrorists were noncompliant and continued to maneuver toward the coalition forces who engaged, killing the two armed terrorists.  Ground forces entered the targeted building and found a weapons cache consisting of AK-47s, which was seized. Two suspected terrorists were also detained during the raid.  Elsewhere, coalition forces killed four terrorists and destroyed two buildings along with nearby cache sites containing improvised explosive device equipment during a raid today in Thar Thar.  Intelligence reports indicated roadside bombs were being produced in the targeted buildings. Upon entering the first building, coalition forces were engaged by armed terrorists. Coalition forces returned fire, killing four terrorists.  While searching the targeted buildings and surrounding area, ground forces found a significant cache consisting a large amount of IED-making material, including 16 pounds of homemade explosives, one 60-pound and one 80-pound bomb.  Also found on the site were multiple batteries, blasting caps, a rocket-propelled grenade,100 feet of detonation cord, suicide vests, grenades and machine guns.  Coalition forces coordinated an air strike that destroyed the buildings containing the weapons cache.  In another operation, special Iraqi police forces, with coalition advisers, captured two suspected insurgent cell leaders during operations today in Bahbahani, near Iskandariyah. The suspected insurgents are allegedly responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi civilians in the area.  The insurgent cell leaders, who are tied to al Qaeda in Iraq, are also implicated in numerous roadside bomb attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces in the Babil and Karbala provinces.  In other developments, coalition forces detained two suspects during operations today in the Ad Dawrah area of southern Baghdad to capture a suspected member of al Qaeda in Iraq who allegedly plans and participates in the kidnapping of Iraqi civilians. He is also alleged to advise on and facilitates violent activities, kidnappings and murders perpetuated by other insurgents.  Additionally, special Iraqi army forces detained 13 suspects during operations today in Salman Pak, southeast of Baghdad, to capture the alleged commander of illegal armed group elements responsible for sectarian violence and attacks against Iraqi civilians in the area.  The Iraqi-led operation, with coalition advisers, involved entry into the Salman Pak mosque. The mosque was reportedly used as a base of operations for planning and conducting attacks, kidnappings and murder. Credible intelligence also indicated the mosque was being used by illegal armed groups as a place to store and traffic weapons.  Iraqi forces entered the mosque and confiscated a large weapons cache consisting of 21 armored vests, two rocket-propelled-grenade launchers, three heavy machine guns, 10 assault rifles and 12 grenades.  Twenty RPG rounds were also found, but destroyed near the objective after explosive ordnance disposal personnel determined their condition prevented transport. The rounds were destroyed in a location that minimized any damage to the mosque.  

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By Sgt. Sara Wood, USAAmerican Forces Press Service Dec. 29, 2006 – About 165 members of the Colorado National Guard have been activated since yesterday in the wake of the state's second blizzard in 10 days, the state adjutant general said today.  This latest storm dumped up to 28 inches of snow in some parts of the state, and Guard troops are ready to perform many of the same missions they did when the first blizzard. So far, they only had one mission -- to re-supply two Red Cross shelters this morning, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Mason C. Whitney.  "There's a lot of ice, a lot of snow pack, so it's still dangerous out here, but we haven't seen the requirement for the National Guard to be called out in the numbers we had last week," Whitney said.  During the first storm, which hit Dec. 20, Army National Guardsmen rescued stranded motorists, cleared roadways for emergency vehicles and delivered American Red Cross supplies to emergency shelters.  The Guard has been preparing for the past two days for this second storm, and about 70 vehicles are ready to respond if they are needed for relief operations, Whitney said.  The storm last week kept the Guard much busier, because it hit quickly in the middle of the work week, and in the middle of rush hour, stranding many motorists. This week's blizzard is slower-moving and has less wind, which has made it easier for snow plows to clear the roads, Whitney said.  Whitney said the Guard today is going to reduce the number of activated soldiers to 105, but will be ready to provide additional troops if the storm worsens over the weekend, Whitney said. The storm is expected to last through tomorrow and into the morning of Dec. 31.  "Right now, we're just kind of standing by," he said. "We're kind of in an insurance policy this time."   

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Jerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service  Dec. 29, 2006 – Hundreds of Michigan National Guardsmen are preparing to welcome home President Gerald R. Ford, who died Dec. 26 at age 93 at his residence in Rancho Mirage, Calif.  Ford grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will be buried on the grounds of his presidential museum there Jan. 3, after being honored in Washington.  Between 400 and 500 Michigan Army National Guard and Air Guard members are getting ready to man information desks, escort VIPs and reporters, chauffer visitors and officials, provide medical support, augment security, and perform other duties associated with providing a final farewell to the fallen president, said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Penny Carroll, spokeswoman for the military's Joint Information Bureau set up in Grand Rapids for Ford's funeral events.  The 126th Band, made up of Army National Guard musicians, will perform in the Ford Museum as Ford's body lies in repose there prior to a private funeral service to be held at a local church before his burial.  "It's very interesting and an honor to us, because this is the first time that the Guard has gotten to participate and really take a lead in an event like this," said Carroll, who normally serves as a public affairs officer for the 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Mount Clemens, Mich.  "Most of the time it's active duty that gets to do that," she said.  Michigan state and military authorities have trained and prepared to honor Ford for some time, Carroll said, noting the Michigan National Guard is proud to participate in the final goodbyes to a fallen commander in chief.  "We're honored to do it, and we're working hard," she said.  Ford served as a U.S. Navy officer in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. After the war, he was elected to Congress as a Republican and he represented Michigan for 24 years in the House of Representatives. In 1973, Ford became vice president in the administration of President Richard M. Nixon, and he assumed the presidency when Nixon resigned in August 1974.  A national day of mourning will be observed Jan. 2. Most federal offices will be closed.  

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By Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service Dec. 29, 2006 – The U.S. Air Force 89th Airlift Wing, based on Andrews Air Force Base, Md., will transport the body of former President Gerald R. Ford, a U.S. Navy veteran, as his remains are flown between points in California, Washington and Michigan, Air Force military officers based here said.  Ford, the nation's 38th president, died Dec. 26 at age 93 at his residence in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will be buried on the grounds of his presidential museum there Jan. 3, after being honored in California and Washington.  A blue-and-white painted military VC-25, a 747-model jet like those used to transport President Bush, will fly Ford's casket from California to various honor ceremonies, said Air Force Capt. Herbert McConnell, spokesman for the 89th Airlift Wing.  Activated in 1951 and located at Andrews since 1966, the 89th is a special Air Force unit that supports the president, vice president and other senior civilian and military leaders, according to the organization's Web page.  "The 89th Airlift Wing has a long and well-established reputation for professional excellence in support of our nation's senior leaders," Air Force Brig. Gen. John I. Pray Jr., the 89th's commander, said in a statement provided to American Forces Press Service.  "We take great pride in being able to be part of the team that has been called upon to represent the U.S. military and help care for our 38th president and his family during this difficult time," Pray wrote.  Ford's body is to be flown tomorrow from California to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., arriving there in the afternoon. He will be taken to the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda, where he'll lie in state until the morning of Jan. 2, when he will be transported to the National Cathedral for a state funeral service. President Bush will speak at the service.  After the funeral service here, Ford's body will be flown to Grand Rapids for burial Jan. 3.  "The passing of a former president provides all Americans, not just the military, an opportunity to reflect upon how that individual served us all and the tremendous impact they had on our growth as a nation, our way of life and the freedoms we hold dear," Pray said in his statement.  Ford served as a U.S. Navy officer in the Pacific theater of operations during World War II. After the war, Ford was elected as a Republican member of Congress where he represented Michigan for 24 years in the House of Representatives. In 1973, Ford became vice president in the administration of President Richard M. Nixon. Ford assumed the presidency when Nixon resigned in August 1974.  "While President Ford's passing is a loss for our nation, the celebration of his life should serve to inspire current generations as we continue, 'To support and defend the Constitution of the United States." Pray wrote.  

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By Sgt. Sara Wood, USAAmerican Forces Press Service Dec. 29, 2006 – More than 500 servicemembers are on the ground in California supporting the funeral activities for former president Gerald R. Ford today.  Ford's remains will be received with military ceremony at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, Calif., this afternoon.  After the arrival ceremony and a private family prayer service and visitation, the remains will lie in repose with a military Guard of Honor at the church until tomorrow morning. At that time they will be flown to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., for the Washington, D.C., portion of the state funeral.  The support troops for the California funeral activities include more than 400 Marines from nearby Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., and surrounding bases, along with augmentees from the other military services, said Marine Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Cox, public affairs officer for Twentynine Palms.  "In spite of the hard work -- and everyone's working as hard as you would expect -- we're all really proud and really happy to offer this salute to a great man and a great president," Cox said.  The troops are handling every support aspect for the ceremony, including public affairs, food service, transportation, medical care and logistics, he said.  Two Marine Corps bands are playing at the ceremony, and an artillery salute battery from the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, will provide the salute when Ford's body leaves California tomorrow, Cox said.  The ceremonial units actually involved in the funeral are from the Military District of Washington, and the rest of the Marines on the ground are supporting them, he said.  About 100 members of a joint service honor guard from throughout the National Capital arrived Dec. 27 in Palm Desert, Calif., where Ford will lie in repose today and tomorrow morning. A military honor guard will accompany Ford's remains as they are flown to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., tomorrow. There, a joint service honor cordon and color guard will meet them for a 5:30 p.m. arrival ceremony.  Ford's remains will be taken in a motorcade through Washington, D.C., en route to the U.S. Capitol. The motorcade will pause in front of the World War II Memorial, a tribute to Ford's service in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  Ford will lie in state in the chambers of the House and Senate until Jan. 2, when his remains will be taken to the Washington National Cathedral for a state funeral.  Following the state funeral, Ford's body will be flown to Grand Rapids, Mich., for burial on the grounds of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in the former president's hometown. There, he will lie in repose before being moved at 1 p.m. Jan. 3 for a private funeral service at Grace Episcopal Church. Following the ceremony, the casket will be returned to the presidential museum for burial.  

The nation will observe a day of mourning Jan. 2. Most federal offices will be closed. 

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By Tech Sgt. Christopher DeWitt, USAFSpecial to American Forces Press Service Dec. 29, 2006 – U.S. and Afghan noncommissioned officers toured the Pakistan Army's Junior Leader Academy in Shinkiari, Pakistan, Dec. 28 during the second day of an exchange program tour.  Pakistan officers and NCOs briefed the team on training procedures and processes in an effort to strengthen the ties between the Afghan National Army and the Pakistan military.  "We came to learn," said Sgt. Maj. Mahmodi Shamsudine, the command sergeant major of the ANA's 201st Corps, after asking several questions about the training curriculum and format.  He was one of three Afghan senior NCOs who traveled to Pakistan hoping to take back information that will help them develop their four-year-old army.  "This was very good for (the Afghans) because they discussed training strategies, schools, doctrines, techniques and procedures that can be shared between the two armies," said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Wood, command sergeant major for Combined Forces Command Afghanistan.  Staff members from the JLA took the team to a field training area and watched students conduct mission planning. They were also shown classrooms and sat in on a class discussing tactics.  "This visit was very good for our countries," said Sgt. Usman, JLA instructor. "Our door is open, and we want to help the Afghan army because we want peace in Afghanistan."  Wood called the meeting a "very successful engagement with the military of Pakistan." He contributed the success to the "non-threatening and non-political environment" among the NCOs.  "The (Afghans) are very excited about the information they heard," Wood added. "They are excited to hear about the focus on counterterrorism and the amount of effort and attention that they are putting on training. They want to go back and try to put more of a counterterrorism focus in their own training."  The visit also gave the U.S. and Afghan NCOs an opportunity to share information about the progress and accomplishments of the ANA.  "People from the Pakistan military and Frontier Corps did not realize how far ahead the ANA were. They were very surprised, and it made them feel more secure," Wood said.  During a meeting with Col. Rehman, the JLA deputy commandant, he explained that Pakistani soldiers were "giving (their) life to help Afghanistan."  "The world is a global village, and the sooner we have peace, the better it is for the world," he said.  Sgt. Maj. Ahmad Fazel, the command sergeant major for the ANA's 203rd Corps, agreed. "If we work together we will be successful because we have the same goal and the same enemy," he said.  

Plans are under way for the next program to take place at Fort Benning, Ga.

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By John J. KruzelAmerican Forces Press Service Dec. 28, 2006 – Military tradition will be evident throughout the events associated with the Dec. 26 death of former President Gerald R. Ford, as the services join the nation in bidding farewell to their former commander in chief. Ford's three-stage state funeral will begin tomorrow with the former president's remains lying in repose at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, Calif. He will then be honored in the nation's capital, and finally in his home state of Michigan, where he will be buried. Ford's casket will arrive Dec. 30 at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. A motorcade will travel through Alexandria, Va., where Ford resided while serving as a congressman and vice president. After a pause at the World War II Memorial -- Ford served in the Navy during the war -- the motorcade will proceed to the U.S. Capitol, where the former president will lie in state. Ford's coffin will be draped in a U.S. flag, with the blue field over his left shoulder. The custom began in the Napoleonic Wars of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when a flag was used to cover the dead as they were taken from the battlefield on a caisson. Graveside military honors in Michigan will include the firing of three volleys each by seven servicemembers. This commonly is confused with an entirely separate honor, the 21-gun salute. But the number of individual gun firings in both honors evolved the same way. The three volleys came from an old battlefield custom. The two warring sides would cease hostilities to clear their dead from the battlefield, and the firing of three volleys meant that the dead had been properly cared for and the side was ready to resume the battle. The 21-gun salute traces its roots to the Anglo-Saxon empire, when seven guns constituted a recognized naval salute, as most naval vessels had seven guns. Because gunpowder in those days could be more easily stored on land than at sea, guns on land could fire three rounds for every one that could be fired by a ship at sea. Later, as gunpowder and storage methods improved, salutes at sea also began using 21 guns. The United States at first used one round for each state, attaining the 21-gun salute by 1818. The nation reduced its salute to 21 guns in 1841, and formally adopted the 21-gun salute at the suggestion of the British in 1875. An "order of arms" protocol determines the number of guns to be used in a salute. A president, ex-president or foreign head of state is saluted with 21 guns. A vice president, prime minister, secretary of defense or secretary of the Army receives a 19-gun salute. Flag officers receive salutes of 11 to 17 guns, depending on their rank. The rounds are fired one at a time. A U.S. presidential death also involves other ceremonial gun salutes and military traditions. On the day after the death of the president, a former president or president-elect -- unless this day falls on a Sunday or holiday, in which case the honor will rendered the following day -- the commanders of Army installations with the necessary personnel and material traditionally order that one gun be fired every half hour, beginning at reveille and ending at retreat. On the day of burial, a 21-minute gun salute traditionally is fired starting at noon at all military installations with the necessary personnel and material. Guns will be fired at one-minute intervals. Also on the day of burial, those installations will fire a 50-gun salute -- one round for each state -- at five- second intervals immediately following lowering of the flag. The playing of "Ruffles and Flourishes" announces the arrival of a flag officer or other dignitary of honor. Drums play the ruffles, and bugles play the flourishes - one flourish for each star of the flag officer's rank or as appropriate for the honoree's position or title. Four flourishes is the highest honor. When played for a president, "Ruffles and Flourishes" is followed by "Hail to the Chief," which is believed to have been written in England in 1810 or 1811 by James Sanderson for a play by Sir Walter Scott called "The Lady of the Lake." The play began to be performed in the United States in 1812, the song became popular, and it became a favorite of bands at festive events. It evolved to be used as a greeting for important visitors, and eventually for the president, though no record exists of when it was first put to that use. The bugle call "Taps" originated in the Civil War with the Army of the Potomac. Union Army Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield didn't like the bugle call that signaled soldiers in the camp to put out the lights and go to sleep, and worked out the melody of "Taps" with his brigade bugler, Pvt. Oliver Wilcox Norton. The call later came into another use as a figurative call to the sleep of death for soldiers. Ford will be buried with full military honors at his presidential museum in Grand Rapids, Mich., Jan. 3. 

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By Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Service Dec. 28, 2006 – Almost 4,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guard members are gearing up to support the national farewell to former President Gerald R. Ford that will span a seven-day period with events in California, Maryland, the nation's capital and Michigan.  "This is DoD's way of showing respect and honor to a former commander in chief and president, so it's very important to us," said Army Col. Jim Yonts, public affairs officer for the Military District of Washington.  Yonts told American Forces Press Service the military's experience in planning, attention to detail and execution makes it ideally suited to conducting state funerals honoring former presidents.  "It ensures the synchronization of many, many moving parts, with ground assets, air assets, intelligence assets and all kinds of other assets coming together to ensure a safe and secure state funeral that properly honors a former commander in chief and president," he said.  MDW, operating as the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, will serve as the Defense Department's command and control headquarters for the funeral activities, and is coordinating military support that ranges from color guards and honorary pallbearers to airlift and other transportation to logistics, Yonts said.  About 100 members of a joint service honor guard from throughout the National Capital arrived yesterday in Palm Desert, Calif., where Ford will lie in repose tomorrow through Saturday, he said.  Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., will coordinate events in California, and the Michigan National Guard will coordinate events in Michigan, he said.  The U.S. Marine Corps Twentynine Palms Band will play a military arrival ceremony and private family prayer service at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Palm Desert's St. Margaret's Episcopal Church.  After the service, Ford's remains will lie in repose through early Dec. 30. Members of the Washington-based 3rd U.S. Army Infantry Regiment, "the Old Guard"; the U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial and Guard Company; the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard; the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard will attend the casket, Yonts said.  A military honor guard will accompany Ford's remains as they are flown to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Dec. 30.  There, a joint service honor cordon and color guard will meet them for a 5:30 p.m. arrival ceremony. The U.S. Air Force Band will provide music, and The Old Guard's Presidential Salute Battery will render a 21-gun salute, Yonts said.  Joint-service pallbearers will carry the casket to a hearse, which will lead a motorcade through Washington, D.C., en route to the U.S. Capitol. The motorcade will pause in front of the World War II Memorial, a tribute to Ford's service in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  Once at the east side of the Capitol, the pallbearers will carry Ford's casket into the House chambers, where he will lie in state to commemorate his many years as a U.S. congressman. From there, the pallbearers will carry the casket to the rotunda to lie in state, before moving it again to the Senate chambers to honor Ford's time as vice president, and therefore, president of the Senate.  On Jan. 2, the pallbearers will carry the casket down the Senate steps to the awaiting hearse. His motorcade will proceed to a 10:30 a.m. state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral, where President Bush will speak.  Following the state funeral, Ford's body will be flown to Grand Rapids, Mich., for burial on the grounds of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in the former president's hometown.  There, he will lie in repose before being moved at 1 p.m. Jan. 3 for a private funeral service at Grace Episcopal Church, Yonts said. Following the ceremony, the casket will be returned to the presidential museum for burial.  Throughout the funeral events, every branch of the armed forces and the U.S. Coast Guard will provide personnel, support and ceremonial units to the Joint Task Force National Capital Region, Yonts said. These ceremonial units have participated in state funerals for Presidents Eisenhower, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Reagan.  President Ronald Reagan was the last former president to receive a state funeral, in June 2004.  

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By Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service Dec. 28, 2006 – After a three-hour meeting with his national security team today, President Bush noted progress in defining the way forward in Iraq and praised servicemembers and their families for their sacrifices.  Bush said input provided by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace are important parts in his deliberations in making a new strategy for Iraq.  Gates and Pace, the U.S. military's most senior civilian and military officials, respectively, traveled together during a recent trip to Iraq and provided their impressions to the president last weekend.  "They reported firsthand what they saw, what they found," Bush said. "It's an important part of coming to closure on a way forward in Iraq that'll help us achieve our objective, which is a country that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself."  Other members of the National Security Council who attended the meeting in Crawford, Texas, today included Vice President Richard B. Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, and his deputy, J.D. Crouch II.  Bush told reporters that he had more consultations to make before he announces his decision on a new strategy for Iraq sometime in January. The president also said he'll continue to work with the Iraqi government, noting the key to success in Iraq is for that government to be willing to confront extremists that want to tear it down.  "The key to success in Iraq is to have a government that's willing to deal with the elements there that are trying to prevent this young democracy from succeeding," he said.  The president said he'd also consult on Iraq with both sides of the aisle in the U.S. Congress.  "Not only will I continue to reach out to Congress, but members of my team will do so as well," Bush said. "I fully understand it's important to have both Republicans and Democrats understanding the importance of this mission." It's important that Americans know that success in Iraq is vital to the nation's security interests, Bush said.  "If we were to not succeed in Iraq, the enemy, the extremists, the radicals would have safe haven from which to launch further attacks," Bush said. "They would be emboldened. They would be in a position to threaten the United States of America."  Iraq, therefore, "is an important part of the war on terror," the president said.  Bush said he's making good progress formulating a new strategy that will help the United States and its allies achieve desired goals in Iraq.  The commander in chief praised the thousands of men and women in the U.S. military who are deployed far from home during the holidays to defend America.  "There's nobody more important in this global war on terror than the men and women who wear the uniform and their families," Bush said. "As we head into a new year, my thoughts are with them. My thoughts are with the families who have just gone through a holiday season with their loved ones overseas."  The troops' welfare is always on his mind, the president said