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Monday, Feb 02, 2026
Outside the box.
Jimmy Carter Celebrated for Lifelong Service at Washington Memorial
Global leaders gather to pay tribute to the legacy of a humble leader
In a poignant gathering at the Washington National Cathedral, leaders and dignitaries from across the political spectrum came together to honor former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29th at the age of 100.
The ceremony was marked by expressions of admiration for Carter's humility and enduring commitment to public service—a legacy that transcended his presidential tenure.
President Joe Biden led the tributes, delivering a heartfelt eulogy for Carter, the man whose presidential bid he was the first to endorse as a sitting senator in 1976.
Biden praised Carter's character and unwavering dedication to humanitarian efforts, emphasizing the values of dignity and respect for all individuals.
"He built houses for people who needed homes," shared Carter's grandson, Joshua Carter, recounting the former president’s dedication to charitable causes even long after his presidency.
The event was attended by all living successors of Carter, including former President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump, who remarkably sat beside each other during the service.
The scene presented a rare moment of unity amidst the current hyper-partisan climate, as the two leaders engaged in amiable conversation.
Beyond speeches from political figures, Jason Carter, another of the late president’s grandsons who chairs the Carter Center, reminisced about his grandparents’ life of simplicity and sincerity.
“They were small-town people who never forgot who they were,” he noted, highlighting the Carter couple's known frugality and close-knit family values.
The reverence for Carter extended beyond contemporary figures to past political companions, symbolized by eulogies prepared by those who preceded him in passing.
Gerald Ford, whom Carter defeated in the 1976 presidential election, left a message read by his son, expressing the profound friendship that evolved from earlier political rivalry.
Former colleagues and allies reflected on Carter’s global humanitarian achievements post-presidency, including substantial efforts in disease eradication and mediation in international conflicts.
Andrew Young, a stalwart ally and former UN ambassador, underscored Carter’s role in fostering a more unified nation.
The funeral service marked the culmination of six days of national commemoration, originating in Plains, Georgia, before resonating through Atlanta and Washington.
The tribute to the former president concluded as military service members solemnly transported Carter's casket from the U.S. Capitol to the cathedral, a procession underscored by a 21-gun salute and ceremonial hymns.
Through these testimonies and formal ceremonies, Carter's poignant legacy as a president, humanitarian, and devoted family man remains etched in history, recalling a devotion to principles that shaped not only his presidency but his lifetime of service to the nation and the world.
The ceremony was marked by expressions of admiration for Carter's humility and enduring commitment to public service—a legacy that transcended his presidential tenure.
President Joe Biden led the tributes, delivering a heartfelt eulogy for Carter, the man whose presidential bid he was the first to endorse as a sitting senator in 1976.
Biden praised Carter's character and unwavering dedication to humanitarian efforts, emphasizing the values of dignity and respect for all individuals.
"He built houses for people who needed homes," shared Carter's grandson, Joshua Carter, recounting the former president’s dedication to charitable causes even long after his presidency.
The event was attended by all living successors of Carter, including former President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump, who remarkably sat beside each other during the service.
The scene presented a rare moment of unity amidst the current hyper-partisan climate, as the two leaders engaged in amiable conversation.
Beyond speeches from political figures, Jason Carter, another of the late president’s grandsons who chairs the Carter Center, reminisced about his grandparents’ life of simplicity and sincerity.
“They were small-town people who never forgot who they were,” he noted, highlighting the Carter couple's known frugality and close-knit family values.
The reverence for Carter extended beyond contemporary figures to past political companions, symbolized by eulogies prepared by those who preceded him in passing.
Gerald Ford, whom Carter defeated in the 1976 presidential election, left a message read by his son, expressing the profound friendship that evolved from earlier political rivalry.
Former colleagues and allies reflected on Carter’s global humanitarian achievements post-presidency, including substantial efforts in disease eradication and mediation in international conflicts.
Andrew Young, a stalwart ally and former UN ambassador, underscored Carter’s role in fostering a more unified nation.
The funeral service marked the culmination of six days of national commemoration, originating in Plains, Georgia, before resonating through Atlanta and Washington.
The tribute to the former president concluded as military service members solemnly transported Carter's casket from the U.S. Capitol to the cathedral, a procession underscored by a 21-gun salute and ceremonial hymns.
Through these testimonies and formal ceremonies, Carter's poignant legacy as a president, humanitarian, and devoted family man remains etched in history, recalling a devotion to principles that shaped not only his presidency but his lifetime of service to the nation and the world.
