Americans pay tribute to former President Carter as they lie in state in a ceremony at the Capitol
On Wednesday, Americans traveled from all over the country to visit former President Jimmy Carter, who lay in state in a ceremony at the US Capitol, ahead of his funeral on Thursday.
Several patrons spoke to Fox News as they waited in line to look at Carter’s casket – some knew him personally, and others simply admired the late president.
Catherine, of nearby Gaithersburg, Maryland, said it was important to honor Carter because he was inspirational in how he spent much of his life helping others.
“One of the reasons I respect him is that he showed a lot of us older people that when you retire, you don’t just stop working,” she told Fox News’ Rich Edson. “You can use your resources, your experience to help other people, and that’s what I hope.”
‘A REMARKABLE MAN’: FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER LYING AT THE CAPITOL AHEAD OF STATE FUNERAL
A Boy Scout troop salutes the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter at his state-lying-in-state ceremony inside the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 8, 2025. (SAMUEL CORUM/AFP via Getty Images)
Riley Cagle, a native Georgia native, said he went to Washington, D.C., because Carter was “a dear friend [her] family” and could not attend his funeral in Peach State.
Riley Cagle’s grandparents, Gerald (second from left) and Brenda (far right), pose for a picture with former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn. (Riley Cagle)
Although Cagle did not know him personally, he said his aunt was one of Carter’s best friends and was present when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His grandparents also knew Carter and shared all sorts of “amazing” stories about him growing up – like his love of pineapple sandwiches.
“Man, they just don’t make him like them anymore,” Cagle said, adding that “he didn’t make them like them back then either.”
Former President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn seen in 1983 with Riley Cagle’s great-great-grandmother. (Riley Cagle)
Natalie, another visitor from Maryland, said Carter was “the epitome of a faithful and humble servant” and congratulated him on a “job well done”.
JIMMY CARTER, 39TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, DEAD AT 100.
Respect to Carter transcended political boundaries because Ted McConnell, former President Gerald Ford’s 1976 campaign staffer, was in attendance at the Capitol on Wednesday.
“As you well know, President Ford and President Carter became compatriots and close friends after the presidency, so today I support both President Ford and President Carter,” said McConnell, who even wore a “Jimmy Carter for President” button.
Former President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)
McConnell said he appreciates everything the humanitarian work that Carter did throughout the world and it was “an honor to honor him at his laying (sic) in state” on Wednesday.
Another man was present with a similar “Jimmy for President” badge, but he actually volunteered to work on the late president’s campaign as a high school student and attended Carter’s 1977 inauguration.
Eric Stromayer told Fox News’ Chad Pergram that the lines to view Carter’s casket were moving quickly and encouraged “those who want to give a well-respected president a good send-off to come and grab the opportunity.”
Thousands of people traveled to Washington, DC, between Tuesday night and Thursday morning to pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter as he lay in state inside the US Capitol Rotunda. (Probal Rashid/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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Carter’s casket will be removed from the Rotunda at 9 a.m. Thursday to be taken to Washington National Cathedral ahead of his state funeral at 10 a.m.
His remains will be flown to Georgia later in the day by Special Air Mission 39 for a private ceremony in his hometown of Plains.
Fox News’ Rich Edson and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
