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Chris Pizzello / AP
A military honor guard carries the casket of former first lady Betty Ford into her funeral at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, Calif., Tuesday, July 12, 2011. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Thanks to a Delta all-night flight to LAX, a long drive through the desert to Palm Springs, a return American Airlines redeye last night (after a return drive through the desert) I was able to attend Mrs. Ford's funeral yesterday, and what a towering honor it was to be in attendance. As I told lifelong friends of the Ford Family from Grand Rapids yesterday, I suspect it will still take historians a generation or two to fully grasp the importance of President and Mrs. Ford in modern American history.
An email from an old boss today reminded me: Viewers of our first (East Coast) feed last night might have thought something was amiss—I appeared, pre-recorded, at the top of the broadcast and again at the bottom of the broadcast to introduce my interview with the Medal of Honor Recipient, Leroy Petry. Ann Curry told our viewers that I was inside the service and was expected to emerge any minute to share my thoughts about the event. But I was held up inside for security reasons— and I'm afraid all our viewers saw was my pre-recorded introduction—and no mention of Mrs. Ford. Luckily, I was able to emerge from the service and talk about Mrs. Ford and the lovely remembrance for our three subsequent feeds. I apologize if it gave the wrong impression for our East Coast viewers.
The most incredible sight from the 7th row of the church: The fact that every President going back to Kennedy was represented by bloodlines in that Church. Growing up as a young man watching the Ford family with other Americans, I never dreamed I would come as close to history, or attend such an event.
We're back in New York tonight and we hope you can join us.
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Minor point Brian, but your new look with the hankerchief? Its pressed too thin. Let it blouse soft. Cooler.
That prosthetic arm of Mr. Petry’s is very impressive, I’m sure it felt like a natural handshake for you just like he said it does for him.
Regarding the story about cramming, with all those charges and taxes on the monthly phone bill which the majority of us don’t fully understand to begin with, I’m sure that cramming fee is stuck somewhere in between all of that and goes by unnoticed. Well in my case I’m still getting an employee’s discount from a company I haven’t worked for in three years, so I guess I don’t have reason to complain too loudly.
Regarding the story about the lightbulbs, ever since you first reported on this, I’ve been slowly stocking up on lightbulbs, especially the ones with the 3-way wattage on them.
Good Evening Mr.Williams, A fine broadcast this evening. I'm sure you had some wonderful things to say about the memorial service for Betty Ford. It is unfortunate the East Coast broadcast was unable to air it. She was a great lady and will be remembered by many people as a remarkable person.
Now on to the broadcast. First of all the report by Mr.Costello about the TSA and how Congress truly hammered them with questions as to their judgment in security screening passengers. Hearing they acknowledged that 25,000 security breeches happened throughout different airports is alarming and shows improvements need to be made. Common sense is required in assessing the security threat of passengers and changes must occur to help the security process be more reasonable. One hopes progress will happen in a positive way.
Richard's report about the three attacks in Mumbai is certainly terrible for the region. The three attacks coming from explosives hidden under and umbrella, then another in from a circuit box then finally from a taxi is awful. Understandable the city is under lockdown and hopefully no more attacks will happen. Nobody at the moment is claiming responsibilty, yet it could be the same terror group that attacked in thec city in 2008. One hopes peace will be the norm.
Interesting analysis by Andrea Mitchell in that tensions between India and Pakistan could be inflamed and retaliation by India might happen. Time will tell.
The report by Mr.Tibbles about the new incandescent lightbulb told of one owner of a lighting store in Texas wanting to give people a choice of lightbulbs. The traditional lightbulb is the bulb everyone is used to having in their homes and this new lightbulb although energy efficient and burns brighter does have soem problem especially if it breaks. Texas is certainly sending a message about making having lightbulbs Made in Texas, but the debate still continues.
Army Ranger First Class Leroy Petry, Medal of Honor Recipient is adjusting to his new prosthetic arm and hand really well. Seeing him shake hands with you Mr.Williams and say he is using the same muscles is incredible work in making these prosthetic limbs. He is a true hero and it is wonderful he is now part of the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon. A Brave and Dedicated Soldier and a True Hero.
It is great the US Womens Soccer Team has made it to the finals at the World Cup! Truly Inspirational!
Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Williams. Peace to You and to All!
Be Well Everyone!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard! An Excellent Report as Always!
Take Extra Good Care Richard and Crew!
Lisa
Brian, a wonderfully written tribute to Mrs Ford in your Blog. Phyllis
Brian, you saw U. S. history all the way back to 1952. Julie Nixon's husband is David Eisenhower, grandson of Dwight.
Apropos of travel, it was obvious from the reporting tonight how much your foreign correspondents get around. Stephanie Gosk is in London, evidently freed from the war zones for the moment - I bet she's happy about that - and Richard Engel is in India - didn't we last see him in Libya?
Judith
brian,thank you for doing such a wonderful job of news anchoring over the past 7 years since tom brokaw retired.your our favorite,my wife karen really enjoys your smooth style of delivering the news,good&bad,in all respects,on a daily basis. your schedule sounds as busy to the 'president's!' ha,lol! and,we sure miss tim russert,he would really get a chuckle outta these days of federal goverment shutdowns&the politicians arguing over just about everything these days,no one wants to be held accountable,i can just hear him say,write it on his chalkboard three times i bet! here in sw/michigan were remembering a great first lady tonight,betty ford.she&president ford saved our nation from all the watergate scandal&embarresment in 1974! i was 14 yrs. old&remember it well brian.they both represented truth,honor&love of country thru there service&great leadership through great adversity,'our long national nightmare has come to an end!' remember president ford addressing a shocked nation.the bicentenial in 1976 was a true celebration for our country,we deserved it after all that. as today,we all pray&hope this to will all come to pass. my dad was a ww2 veteran of the normandy dday campaign&lost both legs in france,but it never stopped him from walking again&working&raising a family of 4.the greatest generation taught us all to make the most of what you have left.i think brian,more americans are finding this out to be true on a daily basis.keep up the fine job your doing at nbc& we'd like an autographed photo of you,if you can brian,my web address is\ rrb499@yahoo.com/ please send an address where to reach you by mail. thanks again,have a great summer,sincerely...rory&karen brant 10010 s. westnedge ave.#1c,portage,mi.49002*god bless our troops&the good old usa!*
Mr. Williams,
I just read your adventures in travel to attend the touching ceremony at St. Margaret's for Mrs Ford. To me, shocking, just shocking, that NBC and Corporate, did not provide a private flight for you into Palm Springs, and return to NY. My god, are you not the supreme nightly news anchor in television, who I think deserves such attention to detail. Reading your adventures, ludicrous to have put you through all of this, when some were flying in and out on corporate jets.
BTW, some of us did see your frustration on local feed -KMIR- on not being able to get out of the church, for security reasons.
Brian, approp of your travel, you do get around, which I think is the reason you are the envy of your peers. Phyllis
Phyllis Kunz is a
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