Jimmy Carter funeral: Living US presidents put aside differences to remember 'life of purpose'
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All five living US presidents put their bitter differences aside as they gathered to pay their respects at Jimmy Carter's funeral. It was the first time all former and current leaders had been together since Donald Trump won a second term in the White House. Barack Obama and Bill Clinton campaigned heavily against him, while George W. Bush declined to endorse his party's nominee.
Several world leaders, former vice presidents, and other dignitaries attended the Washington National Cathedral to pay their respects, with Prince Edward representing the King. President Joe Biden gave the eulogy to his close friend, recalling his early endorsement of Carter's candidacy for President while he was a young senator. Biden said he based his decision "on what I believe is Jimmy Carter's enduring attribute: character, character, character.".
"Because of that, character I believe is destiny. Destiny in our lives, and quite frankly, destiny in the life of the nation," he told mourners. "It's an accumulation of a million things built on character, that leads to a good life and a decent country. Life of purpose, life of meaning.
"Now, how do we find that good life? What does it look like What does it take to build character? Do the ends justify the means? Jimmy Carter's friendship taught me, and through his life, taught me, strength of character is more than title or the power we hold".
Biden was joined by a raft of people, including several of the 39th President's family, in memorialising Carter. Jason Carter, the former President's grandson and chairman of the Carter Centre, described the President, who died on December 29, aged 100, as "a regular guy".
