Washington: Hundreds of mourners, including all five living current and former U.S. presidents, gathered at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday to honor Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States. Carter, who passed away on December 29 at the age of 100, served from 1977 to 1981 and was known for his humanitarian work, earning a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
As a cold wind swept through the nation’s capital, Carter’s flag-draped coffin was carried up the cathedral’s stone steps by a military honor guard. His body had lain in state at the Capitol for two days, where tens of thousands of Americans came to pay their respects.
President Joe Biden delivered a heartfelt eulogy for Carter, highlighting his contributions to peace and diplomacy. Among those attending were former President Donald Trump, former First Lady Melania Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, and other notable figures. President-elect Donald Trump sat next to former President Barack Obama, engaging in conversation before the ceremony began. Also in attendance were former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as their spouses Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton. Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff joined President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in the front row.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance were present, alongside former Vice Presidents Al Gore and Mike Pence, who sat together. Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, also attended the solemn occasion.
Carter’s legacy as a compassionate and principled leader resonated with attendees. Dorian DeHaan, 67, traveled from Sugar Loaf, New York, to honor the former president, whom she described as a “gentle man” who prioritized people over power. “It’s the end of an era,” she said, reflecting on Carter’s influence and the need to recapture a belief in humanity.
Carter’s role in brokering the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty and his post-presidency humanitarian efforts, including work with Habitat for Humanity, were celebrated during the ceremony. Known for his humility, Carter once joked during a eulogy for President Gerald Ford about their shared love of a cartoon that said, “Daddy, when I grow up, I want to be a former president.”
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After the funeral, Carter’s remains will return to Plains, Georgia, where he lived for 44 years after leaving the White House. There, he devoted himself to diplomatic and charitable work. His final years were spent in hospice care, and his last public appearance was at the funeral of his wife, Rosalynn, in November 2023.
Carter, the longest-living U.S. president, left a profound impact on generations. Sarah Jolie, 59, traveled from Chicago to pay tribute, bringing a photo of a youth award she received during his administration. “He was a hero to me,” she said. “He championed causes no one else did.”
As Carter’s life and legacy were celebrated, mourners were reminded of his enduring message of peace, compassion, and service.
