Americans traveled from across the country Wednesday to visit former President Jimmy Carter, who lies in state at the U.S. Capitol ahead of his funeral Thursday.
Several visitors spoke to Fox News while waiting in line to see Carter’s casket. Some knew Mr. Carter personally, while others simply admired the late president.
Katherine, who lives near Gaithersburg, Maryland, said it was important to honor Carter because she was inspired by the way he spent so much of his life helping others.
“One of the reasons I respect him is that he taught us older folks that when you retire, you don’t just stop working,” she told Fox News’ Rich. told Edson. “I can use my resources and experience to help others. That’s what I want.”
‘An extraordinary man’: Former President Carter lies in state at the Capitol before state funeral
A Scout troop salutes the flag-draped casket of former President Jimmy Carter during an interment ceremony inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 8, 2025. (Samuel Collum/AFP via Getty Images) )
Riley Cagle, from Georgia, said she traveled to Washington, D.C., because Carter was a “dear friend.” [her] He was unable to attend the funeral in the Peach State because he spoke with his family.
Riley Cagle’s grandparents, Gerald (second from left) and Brenda (far right), pose for a photo with former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalyn. (Riley Cagle)
Although Mr. Cagle did not know Mr. Carter personally, he said his aunt was one of Mr. Carter’s best friends and that she attended the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. His grandparents also knew Mr. Carter and shared various “amazing” stories about him, he said. Things like his love for pineapple sandwiches when he was growing up.
“Well, they just don’t make them like him anymore,” Cagle said, adding, “They didn’t make them like him back then either.”
Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn were seen with Riley Cagle’s great-grandmother in 1983. (Riley Cagle)
Natalie, another visitor from Maryland, congratulated Carter, saying he was “the epitome of a loyal and humble servant” and “well done.”
Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, dies at age 100
On Wednesday, Ted McConnell, a member of former President Gerald Ford’s 1976 campaign, appeared at the Capitol, and the tribute to Carter transcended politics.
“As is well known, Presidents Ford and Carter became compatriots and close friends after their inauguration. That’s why today I stand with both Presidents Ford and President Carter.” Mr. McConnell, who also wore a button that said “For President,” said.
Former President Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29, 2024 at the age of 100 at his home in Plains, Georgia. (Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)
Mr. McConnell thanked Mr. Carter for his humanitarian work around the world and said Wednesday that he was “honored to honor his final resting place.”
Another man was also in attendance with a similar “Presidential Candidate Jimmy” pin, but he actually volunteered for the late president’s campaign as a high school student and attended President Carter’s 1977 inauguration.
Eric Strohmeyer told Fox News’ Chad Purgram that the line to see Carter’s casket is moving quickly and that “those who want to give a well-respected president a proper send-off should come down and seize the opportunity.” Like,” he encouraged.
Thousands of people traveled to Washington, D.C., Tuesday night into Thursday morning to pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter, who was publicly laid to rest inside the Capitol Rotunda. (Probal Rashid/Lightrocket via Getty Images)
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Mr. Carter’s casket will be removed from the Rotunda at 9 a.m. Thursday and taken to the Washington National Cathedral ahead of a state funeral at 10 a.m.
His remains will then be flown to Georgia by Special Air Mission 39 later that day, where a private ceremony will be held in his hometown of Plains.
Fox News’ Rich Edson and Chad Pergram contributed to this report.
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