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By Shannon McDonagh
News Reporter
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Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, will be laid to rest today following a series of ceremonies honoring his life and service.
Carter, who died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100, will have a final day of events that reflect his unique legacy, planned by himself prior to his passing. The schedule includes public and private funerals in Washington, D.C., and Plains, Georgia, culminating in a private interment ceremony.
Joe Biden to Deliver Eulogy
President Joe Biden, an early supporter of Carter's 1976 campaign, will deliver the eulogy at the Washington National Cathedral. All living former presidents, including President-elect Donald Trump, are expected to attend the funeral.
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Biden Declares National Day of Mourning
Carter's funeral marks the conclusion of days of state honors that began with his body lying in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta. Afterward, Carter's casket was flown to Washington, D.C., aboard Special Air Mission 39, a plane that typically serves presidents and dignitaries. President Biden has declared Thursday a National Day of Mourning, with federal departments and businesses encouraged to close in order to pause and reflect.
Where Will Jimmy Carter Be Buried?
The ceremonies will conclude in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, where he will be buried beside his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, who passed away in 2023. Together, the Carters had long planned their modest resting place in Plains, where they began their lives together on a peanut farm.
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What Is the Schedule for Jimmy Carter's Funeral?
The schedule of today's events begins early in Washington:
- At 9 a.m., Carter's casket will depart the U.S. Capitol, where it has been lying in state.
- A motorcade will escort his remains to the Washington National Cathedral, arriving at 9:30 a.m., with the funeral service set to begin at 10 a.m. This service will feature tributes from President Biden and other dignitaries.
- Carter's remains and his family will depart the cathedral for Joint Base Andrews at 11:15 a.m. Together they will board Special Air Mission 39 at 11:45 a.m.
- By mid-afternoon (2 p.m.), Special Air Mission 39 will arrive at Lawson Army Airfield at Fort Moore, Georgia. Carter's family will then be taken by motorcade to Plains.
- There, an invitation-only funeral will take place at Maranatha Baptist Church at 3.45 p.m., a congregation Carter himself taught Sunday school at for decades.
- At 5:20 p.m., a U.S. Navy flyover will honor Carter's military service as a Naval Academy graduate and his time as commander in chief.
- The day will conclude with a private graveside service.
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What People Are Saying
Matthew Costello, a historian for the White House Historical Association, said presidential funerals often reflect the individual's values. "They are very much involved in the planning process, and the decisions that they make tell us a lot about who they are, how they see the presidency, and how they want to be remembered by the American people," he said.
The week's ceremonies have also included moments of reflection across the political spectrum. Vice President Kamala Harris praised Carter's commitment to service and humility during a Capitol ceremony earlier this week, calling him "that all-too-rare example of a gifted man who also walks with humility, modesty and grace."
Newly selected Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who was four years old when Carter was inaugurated described him as "first and foremost a faithful servant of his creator, and his fellow man." The South Dakota Republican recalled his fellow Southerner as a man "willing to roll up his own sleeves to get the work done."
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A Lasting Tribute to Carter's Service
Following today's ceremonies, Carter's interment will close the chapter on a historic life of service. President Biden's eulogy——one of the final honors of his tenure——and the unique blend of personal and state traditions will remain as lasting tributes to Carter's century-long impact on the country.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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