President Ford at 90

President Ford at 90

Commentary by Sanford D. Horn

July 15, 2003

Leslie Lynch King, Jr., better known as Gerald Rudolph Ford – one of only 42 men to hold the highest office in the nation as President of the United States, came into this world on July 14, 1913. Shame on The Washington Post for not recognizing President Ford’s 90^th birthday – one of only four presidents to reach such a milestone, joining Ronald Reagan, Herbert Hoover and John Adams.

Gerald Ford – neither elected vice president nor president – did a good job restoring a sense of order, pride and dignity to the presidency following Watergate.  Having served 25 years as a Michigan Congressman, Ford’s appointment as vice president came on the heels of Spiro T. Agnew’s resignation. Ford, far from right-wing, worked well with Republicans and Democrats. Ford only lost the 1976 presidential election because he is Republican. Following Watergate ANY Democrat would have won the White House in '76, and Jimmy Carter proved that.

Ford played football at the University of Michigan, majoring in economics and political science. Turning down two offers to play professional football, Ford went to Yale Law School before returning to Michigan. He served in the US Navy from 1942-46, rising to Lieutenant Commander. Ford first won election to Congress in 1948, serving until 1973 upon his appointment to the vice presidency.

Ford, an avid golfer, is the last living member of the Warren Commission. So avid, he apparently suffered from dizzy spells on his birthday while on the links.

G-d Bless President Gerald Ford, on his 90th birthday, and his wife Betty.

Sanford D. Horn is a writer living in Alexandria, VA.