A president remembered

Betty Ford is escorted from the tarmac at Palm Springs International Airport by Maj. Gen. Guy C. Swan, left and Mike Wagner of the Joint Force Headquarters, National Capital Region.  (Annie Wells / LAT)

Former President Gerald R. Ford’s casket is moved from a hearse before it is loaded on the plane during the departure ceremony at Palm Springs International Airport.  (Annie Wells / LAT)

President Ford’s hearse pulls up to the military honor guard waiting beside the plane designated as Special Air Mission 29000.  (Annie Wells / LAT)

The motorcade, including the hearse carrying President Gerald R. Ford, makes its way to the church during the first stage of the three-stage State Funeral at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

The American Flag flies at half-staff during President Gerald R. Ford’s private family repose.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

he public pay their respects as they view the American-flag-draped cofin of former President Gerald R. Ford during the public repose, the first stage of the three-stage State Funeral at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

The public pay their respects as they view the American-flag-draped cofin of former President Gerald R. Ford during the public repose.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

After waiting hours, some all day, members of the public entered to pay their respects.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

Former First Lady Betty Ford holds the arm of General Guy Swan. Former first lady Betty Ford and family members attended the private family prayer service and visitation.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

Former First Lady Betty Ford holds the arm of General Guy Swan, with family members Mike Ford and Susan Bales at side as a military Guard of Honor, carries the American-flag-draped casket of former President Gerald R. Ford.  (Allen J. Schaben / LAT)

A small crowd watches as the motorcade takes former President Gerald Ford’s body to the site of his funeral in Palm Desert  (Mark Avery / AP)

A procession of vehicles escorts the remains of the Late Former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford  (J. Emilio Flores/Getty Images)

Police salute as the casket bearing the remains of former US president Gerald Ford arrives for a memorial service at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.  (ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

Former US first lady Betty Ford stands before the casket bearing the remains of her husband  (AFP/Getty Images)