December 4, 2008
Four Living Ex-Presidents Honor Reagan
WASHINGTON - The nation's four living ex-presidents expressed their condolences, sang hymns and renewed acquaintances with old friends Friday at Ronald Reagan's funeral service.
The most recent former president, Bill Clinton, accompanied by his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., sat in the front row at Washington National Cathedral along with President and Laura Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Cheney's wife, Lynne.
Former presidents George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford sat in the second row, next to their wives Barbara, Rosalynn and Betty.
Little is known about the former presidents' own plans for state funerals. Their wishes are considered private.
Ford, the oldest of the group at 90, has considered a state funeral, said Marty Allen, chairman of the board of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation.
"It's personal because it's family and the plans do change over time," Allen said, adding that Ford has chosen to be buried at the museum honoring him in his former hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich.
Carter, 79, has filed plans that include the option of a state funeral but a spokeswoman at the Carter Center in Atlanta declined to release further details, saying it was personal.
Little is known about the plans of Clinton, 57.
George H.W. Bush's office did not return calls seeking comment on his funeral plans.
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