U.S. plans for national farewell to Ford

Former U.S. President Gerald Ford addresses guests at the National Press Club luncheon in Washington in this June 5, 2000 photo. Final plans were being drafted on Wednesday for a national farewell to former U.S. president Gerald Ford, one day after he died at 93 at his home in Rancho Mirage, some 200 kilometers east of Los Angeles.

U.S. President George W. Bush (L) helps former U.S. President Gerald Ford (C) walk out of Ford's house next to his wife, Bette Ford, in Rancho Mirage, California in this April 23, 2006 file photo. Ford, who took office from an embattled Richard M. Nixon, has died, according to a statement from his widow on December 26, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Former U.S. President Gerald Ford (R1) and his wife, Bette Ford (R2) pose for photo on a Yangtse River Three Gorges tour in China on March 26, 1981.(Xinhua Photo)

Former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford in the Oval Office at the White House in this April 29, 1975 file photo.((Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford and his golden retriever, Liberty, are shown in the Oval Office at the White House in this November 7, 1974 file photo.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Former U.S. President Gerald Ford (L) is sworn in as the 38th President of the United States in this August 9, 1974 file photo.