President Jimmy Carter’s Final Journey to Washington

The remains of President Jimmy Carter departed Atlanta on Tuesday, beginning their final journey to Washington, D.C. The solemn occasion unfolded on a clear but chilly day, as Carter’s casket was transported via Air Force One on Special Air Mission 39, a tribute to his legacy as the 39th president of the United States.

From Atlanta to Washington

A motorcade, including Carter family members, escorted the casket to Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia. Upon arrival in Washington, the late president’s remains will be carried to the Navy Memorial, then placed on a horse-drawn caisson for a procession to the U.S. Capitol. Military personnel will transfer the casket into the Capitol Rotunda, where a congressional service is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Due to weather-related delays from a winter storm, the service has been rescheduled to 4:30 p.m. Public viewing in the Rotunda will take place from 7 p.m. Tuesday to midnight and continue from 7 a.m. Wednesday until 7 a.m. Thursday.

A Nation in Mourning

Carter’s funeral is set for Thursday at Washington National Cathedral, coinciding with a National Day of Mourning declared by President Joe Biden. Following the service, Carter’s remains will return to his hometown of Plains, Georgia, for a private funeral and interment at Maranatha Baptist Church.

Carter, who passed away on Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100, leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a humanitarian and a public servant.

Notable Developments:

• Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and House Speaker Mike Johnson will deliver eulogies at Tuesday’s congressional service.
• Supreme Court justices, diplomats, and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser are among those invited to attend.
• President Biden and former President Donald Trump are expected to attend Thursday’s funeral.

Caisson Tradition Resumes

The ceremonial transport of Carter’s casket is a high-profile mission for the Army’s Caisson Detachment, which resumed operations after a hiatus following the deaths of two horses in 2023. The unit has undergone months of preparation to uphold its tradition of flawless execution during state funerals.

“We hold ourselves to the highest standard,” said Lt. Col. Derrick Draper, deputy commander of the regiment.

Honoring a Life of Service

Jimmy Carter, born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, rose from humble beginnings as the son of a farmer and nurse. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a nuclear engineer before returning to Georgia to manage his family farm and serve in the state legislature. Elected president in 1976, Carter’s single term was marked by both achievements, such as energy initiatives and expanded national parks, and challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis.

After leaving office, Carter dedicated his life to humanitarian causes, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his global efforts to promote peace, democracy, and economic development. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, passed away in November 2023 at the age of 96.

National Day of Mourning Closures

Thursday’s National Day of Mourning will see federal offices and Postal Service locations closed, and the NYSE and Nasdaq halting trading. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has ordered the Court building closed for the day.

This week’s events honor a life devoted to service, leadership, and compassion, ensuring that President Carter’s enduring legacy is remembered and celebrated.