WASHINGTON — Nearly 44 years after exiting the nation’s capital, former President Jimmy Carter returns for three days of state funeral rites starting on Tuesday.
The remains of Carter, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100, have been lying in repose at the Carter Presidential Center since Saturday. On Tuesday morning, they will depart the Atlanta campus, accompanied by his children and extended family. Special Air Mission 39 will take off from Dobbins Air Reserve Base and arrive at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, followed by a motorcade into Washington and the Capitol, where members of Congress will pay their respects during an afternoon service.
Carter’s remains will lie in state on Tuesday night and again on Wednesday, culminating in a state funeral on Thursday at Washington National Cathedral, where President Joe Biden is set to deliver a eulogy.
The funeral will feature familiar ceremonial rites that follow the death of a president, including a military honor guard carrying a flag-draped casket up the Capitol steps and the Lincoln catafalque in the Rotunda. Unique to Carter is the moment his hearse stops at the U.S. Navy Memorial, where his remains will be transferred to a horse-drawn caisson for the remainder of the journey to the Capitol, honoring his status as the only U.S. Naval Academy graduate to serve as commander in chief.
The grandeur of the occasion will evoke a sense of irony for the Democrat who transitioned from a peanut warehouse to the White House. Carter rose to the presidency on a platform of reform and integrity, promising to bring change to Washington and offering a stark contrast to the political norms of his time.
Carter was regarded as an outsider who capitalized on the national desire for renewal following the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. His presidency, from 1977 to 1981, was marked by challenges that ultimately shaped his legacy.
Despite facing difficulties in building relationships within Washington’s elite circles, Carter’s unique approach to governance set him apart. He often avoided the lavish lifestyle associated with the presidency, choosing simplicity over tradition.
During his tenure, Carter was critiqued for his demeanor and struggles in navigating the political landscape, which contributed to his eventual electoral defeat to Ronald Reagan in 1980. He later reflected on his time in office, acknowledging the challenges that were often beyond his control.
Throughout the solemn ceremonies, attendees will observe a man who was both simple and complex, a figure whose post-presidential work in public advocacy has had a lasting impact. As the nation remembers Carter, there will be a growing appreciation for his presidency and its historical significance.
