Beyond these gates is the final resting place of Gerald R. Ford, the nation’s 38th president, and his wife, Elizabeth R. Ford. Ford served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1946, in the United States House of Representatives from 1949 to 1973, as vice president of the United States from 1973 to 1974, and as president of the United States from 1974 to 1977. He said that he was acutely aware that the people had not elected him as president with their ballots, and so he asked them to confirm him as president with their prayers. He said that he had not campaigned for either the presidency or the vice presidency, and that he was indebted to no man, and only to one woman, his dear wife, as he began that very difficult job.