Gaa conveys RP condolences to Ford’s wife

WASHINGTON — Ambassador to the United States Willy Gaa has conveyed his condolences on behalf of President Arroyo and the Filipino people to Mrs. Betty Ford and her four children during a meeting requested by Mrs. Ford.

The embassy in Washington said Gaa met last Monday at the Blair House with the wife of former US president Gerald Ford, who died last Dec. 26 at the age of 93.

Mrs. Ford has fond memories of the Philippines. In December 1975, she accompanied her husband during his state visit to Manila.

Gaa joined Vice President Noli de Castro — Mrs. Arroyo’s representative — at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday for the state funeral service for President Ford.

Ford passed away at his home in Rancho Mirage, California.

In a statement, the embassy said that during their meeting Gaa told Mrs. Ford that "our nation is in deep mourning because your husband is loved by the Filipinos."

He recalled that in 1943, as a young Navy man aboard USS Monterey, Ford participated in carrier strikes in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and was among those who supported the landings of US troops in Leyte and in Mindoro.

The statement said Mrs. Ford and her four children, who were also in the meeting, were profuse in expressing their thanks to Gaa.

Jack Ford, one of her children, remembered that at official functions, his much-decorated father proudly wore his medals, which included the Philippine Liberation medal with two bronze stars for Leyte and Mindoro.