Jimmy Carter honored in his home state of Georgia on first day of memorial events

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• William Brangham:

  Good evening. I'm William Brangham. John Yang is away. The nation's farewell to former President Jimmy Carter began today in his home state of Georgia, launching six days of memorial events for the 39th President.

  Carter died last Sunday at the age of 100 after spending over a year in hospice care at home. Today, the Carter family, joined by crowds of mourners, came together to honor the life and legacy of the nation's longest living president.

  A place of healing transformed into a memorial. Flags flew at half-staff at the Phoebe Sumter Medical center in Americus, Georgia, this morning, the start of a long goodbye salute to a global icon.

  As the ceremony began, Georgia state troopers cleared the way. Secret Service agents who had protected the president served as pallbearers, accompanying his casket out the doors and then gently placing it into the hearse. Crowds gathered in the frigid morning air to pay their respects, spectators of all ages coming out to say goodbye to Georgia's own.

  As the motorcade crept along rural back roads, it made a special detour in Plains, Georgia, pausing in front of Carter's family farm and boyhood home. National Park Service members stood in formation as the procession arrived.

  Outside, a ranger rang a bell 39 times each toll commemorating America's 39th president.

  The motorcade then headed north to Atlanta, a city shaped by Carter's passion for helping others during and after his time as governor and as president.

  At the state Capitol, a moment of silence led by Governor Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. The former president's remains were then brought to the Carter Presidential center, where he will lie in repose for public viewing.

  On Thursday, President Jimmy Carter will be laid to rest alongside his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, in a private burial service in Plains, Georgia.