President Gerald R. Ford’s daughter, Susan Ford Bales, joined the aiport staff at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport last week for a private ceremony unveiling Betty Ford Drive.
According to an airport representative, the Ford Airport had an unnamed road on airport property, and there was a contest with our airport authority employees to “Name That Road.” The name Betty Ford Drive was chosen after an employee vote. Two of our employees, Jody Naimo and Ryan Schaner, came up with the name to honor the former First Lady as there is no other Betty Ford Drive location in West Michigan.
Bales also showed off the new road sign at the Whitecaps game this past Saturday, and sailors from the USS Gerald R. Ford threw out the first pitch for the game. On Sunday, Bales joined the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation at a wreath laying on her father’s grave for what would have been his 106th Birthday.