Glancing Back
Spirit of ‘76: Presidential Visit in Bicentennial Year
THE BIG NEWS of 1976 is the Bicentennial, as colonial fever grips the nation, and the U.S. begins to escape the sadness of Vietnam and Watergate. In Florida, as Bicentennial fever explodes, the state looks forward to a visit from President Ford. Forty years ago, President Gerald R. Ford made a Feb. 28 and 29 trip to Miami, West Palm Beach, Sarasota and Tampa. Details of the visit, including his exact itinerary, are in the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. The visit is both social and official, and includes an Episcopal flair throughout. In Miami on his Saturday arrival day, Ford hears an invocation from The Very Rev. George McCormick, Dean of the Episcopal Cathedral at a naturalization ceremony. Ford also visits the Church of Bethesda by the Sea in Palm Beach. On Sunday, Feb. 29, the Fords attend Sunday services at Sarasota’s Church of the Redeemer. In Sarasota, the President stays at the William Getzen Residence, with press staying at the Sheraton Sandcastle and Hyatt Regency where 15 coin telephones and “2 telex” are available. The visit has a bit of celebrity excitement to it, as Ford’s son Jack is dating Ft. Lauderdale tennis sensation Chris Evert, who is playing at the Virginia Slims tennis tournament on Longboat Key. The week before, Evert and Ford had appeared in a cover feature in People Magazine. After the Miami leg of the trip, the group flies from Ft. Lauderdale to Sara34
Above, Betty Ford and local Boy Scouts watch President Ford sign a proclamation presented to him at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport on Feb. 29. That year, many youth programs emphasized colonial history. Photo by White House in the Ford Presidential Library. At bottom, negatives in the Ford Library show Ford’s arrival at Redeemer. There was a large crowd outside the church watching the motorcade’s arrival.
sota. The official itinerary in the Ford Presidential Library says that “A full dinner service will be provided” on the press plane’s short flight. When they arrive, they are greeted by Sarasota Mayor and Mrs. Elmer Berkel and other dignitaries. President Ford is greeted at 9:25 p.m. by local citizens Mr. & Mrs. Getzen and Mr. & Mrs. Dana Rollings. The President begins his day with tennis at Sarasota’s Field Club, where he is greeted by tennis pro John Lawrence,
and plays a game of tennis with Bill Getzen, Dana Rollings and Lawrence. The Fords arrive at 10:55 a.m. for 11 a.m. services at Redeemer, greeted by Father Thomas Fitzgerald and Lattimer Turner, Senior Warden. The service finishes by 11:45 a.m.; the pew where they sat, which is on the right side, is marked with a plaque. Ford later boards Air Force One to fly to the National Airlines ramp at Tampa International. X