Jon Freedman was 7 when he remembers watching former presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford debate ahead of the 1976 presidential election.
Freedman, who is from New York, was visiting Atlanta with his daughter, Daniella, while they tour local universities. They decided to stop by the Carter Center on Monday, following news that Carter is in hospice care at his home in Plains.
“I’m sad but he has lived a very full life,” Freedman said. “I’m sort of happy for him that he can kind of do it on his own terms.”
Pamela Sasso is visiting family in the area and decided to stop by the center on Monday.
“Jimmy Carter was one of my favorite people and presidents,” said Sasso, who considers herself a Republican. “I think he was a very loved man, lots of family surrounded him. He led a beautiful, long life and we just wish him and his family all the comfort and love that they love that they deserve.”
The Carter Center planned to close for Presidents Day but opened from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. following the news over the weekend. Tom Berres stopped by the center and went through the museum to learn more about Carter and his life.
“I was a history major in college so I wanted to learn more about presidents,” Berres said. “This museum does an excellent job of documenting his life story and the importance of peace, which he was all about. He’s done his job, more than anyone else that I know of, in terms of what he planned to do, what he wanted to do in life.”
Credit: Miguel Martinez
Credit: Miguel Martinez
Learning about the former president’s medical situation was heartbreaking for Yong Taing, who is particularly impressed with Carter’s work with Habitat for Humanity.
“Realizing the state of politics that we have now, having a great person remembered for such meaningful things, it’s something that’s really touching,” said Taing, who is from Baltimore. “A person that really was the heart of what Americans should be striving to be.”
How to send messages to President Carter and his family
Those wishing to send messages to President Carter and his family can do so through The Carter Center at cartercenter.kudoboard.com.
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