The President lay in repose at the Carter Presidential Center until 6 pm January 7. At 11 pm on January 6, the sharp chill did little to deter those wishing to pay their final respects. Crowds slowly passed through the Center, taking in events from Carter’s life.

Afterward, visitors came before the casket of the former President, draped in an American flag. Guards stood like wax statues, with barely a hint of movement other than the blink of an eye. Their silence was mirrored by those saying a final goodbye. The changing of the honor guard was accompanied by a salute, and raised rifles, before the crowd was allowed to gather around the coffin. The crowd remained for another few silent moments before leaving the Carter Center.

Greg Ramsey and Daine Burgoon were some of the last few to pay their respects as the President lay in repose early on January 7. “My wife and I are so inspired by President Carter’s work over his lifetime, he and Rosalynn.” Ramsey was impressed by Carter’s decision to return to his home in Plains. His global influence also impressed Ramsey. “His foreign policy was amazing, bringing together a lot of folks in long term peace.”

For Ramsey, another memorable aspect of Carter’s legacy is his work ethic. “I think at the heart of it was a person that was incredibly disciplined . . . and knew what it was to sacrifice, that it took sacrifice and collective sacrifice to get somewhere.”

Ramsey gave examples of Carter’s philosophy. “We didn’t have to have our thermostats all the way up. We didn’t have to drive super-fast.”

Ramsey summed up the impact Carter’s story left on him. “For me, it’s a story of super inspiration to work towards democracy around the world.”

Daine Burgoon shared what impressed her so deeply about Carter. “It inspired me very much as a youth of the 70s that he put the solar panels on the White House, that he thought outside of the norm for many policy makers at that time. And I think full circle now we see what he was doing. I appreciated his being willing to do what he believed in, rather than following the crowd.”

Burgoon shared a final impression. “The protection of democracy is something that is dear to his heart and the Carter Center, and that we can’t drop the ball.”