Not long before his own death, President Ford called his good friend President Carter and asked if he would deliver a eulogy at Ford’s funeral. Carter agreed so long as Ford returned the favor.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! These two words conjure up all of the good feelings that mankind has ever held for itself and its creator: reverence, tenderness, humility, generosity, tolerance--love.

America and the world have changed enormously since the first thanksgiving 353 years ago. From a tiny coastal enclave on an untamed continent, we have grown into the mightiest, freest nation in human history.

The oath that I have taken is the same oath that was taken by George Washington and by every President under the Constitution.

On Washington's birthday in 1861, a fortnight after six States had formed a confederacy of their own, Abraham Lincoln came here to Independence Hall knowing that in 10 days he would face the cruelest national crisis of our 85-year history.

Two hundred years ago the frontier colonies of America braced for a long and determined conflict with the strongest military power in the world.

It is a very great honor and a high privilege, Governor Godwin, to come to the Commonwealth of Virginia and to this beautiful and significant home and to participate in this wonderful ceremony.