Former President Jimmy Carter, who died at age 100, is returning to Washington, D.C., for a three-day state funeral beginning Tuesday. His remains, previously lying in repose at the Carter Presidential Center, will be transported to the nation's capital. The procession will include a ceremonial transfer of the casket to a horse-drawn caisson at the U.S. Navy Memorial.
Carter's journey will be marked by traditional military honors. Special Air Mission 39 will transport the casket from Dobbins Air Reserve Base to Joint Base Andrews, followed by a motorcade to the Capitol. Members of Congress will pay their respects at a service on Tuesday afternoon. The former president will lie in state Tuesday night and again Wednesday, before receiving a state funeral Thursday at Washington National Cathedral, with President Joe Biden delivering the eulogy.
The event underscores Carter's complex legacy. Despite a perceived lack of political finesse in Washington, Carter's commitment to service extended beyond his presidency. His legacy of advocating for global democracy, health, and human rights, championed through The Carter Center, stands in sharp contrast to the controversies and challenges of his time in office.
Biographer Jonathan Alter highlights Carter's outsider status, reflecting the nation's yearning for moral leadership during a period of social and political upheaval. However, Carter's time in the White House was marked by struggles in navigating the Washington political scene. Social commentators, like Sally Quinn, noted the Carters' perceived awkwardness within the social circles of power, contrasting sharply with the expectations of political leaders.
Ultimately, Carter's presidency, marked by economic challenges and international crises, was judged differently during his time and from a retrospective. His personal humility and ongoing humanitarian efforts serve as a continuing testament to his service beyond the formal demands of office.
