‘Mr. President, mission complete’: Nation bids farewell to George H.W. Bush
The nation’s capital bid its final farewell to the late president, George H.W. Bush, in a service of prayer and praise that drew together world envoys and Americans of high office.
Wednesday’s ceremony at the Washington National Cathedral included laughter and solemnity from friends, family and those in attendance as everyone stopped to honor the Republican president who oversaw the post-Cold War transition and led a successful Gulf War, only to lose re-election in a generational shift to Democrat Bill Clinton in 1992.
Family, friends, congressional leaders and others gathered with military brass on the steps of the Capitol for the send-off Wednesday as cannons echoed a salute and a military band played "Hail to the Chief."
Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary under George W. Bush, tweeted, "Every VP since 1977 is at President Bush’s funeral, except one. Mondale, Quayle, Gore, Cheney, Biden, and Pence are there. The only one missing is President Reagan’s VP, George HW Bush."
Several familiar faces were in attendance with the living former presidents sitting together near the front. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at the cathedral sitting next to former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.
As George H.W. Bush arrived at the cathedral, his children followed behind the casket with only one interruption when his eldest son George W. Bush paused to sneak a sweet treat to former first lady Michelle Obama, with whom he has developed an endearing friendship.
The service included several eulogists: First speaking was Jon Meacham, presidential historian and presidential biographer, who spoke of H.W. Bush’s time as the leader of the country.
“If you were down, he would rush to lift you up and if you were soaring, he would rush to lift up your success,” Meacham said.
Meacham ended his speech saying that George H.W. Bush was a great leader, “The heartbeat of a lion. A lion that not only led us but loved us.”
Following Meacham was former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and then Alan K. Simpson, who was a United States senator from Wyoming.
Simpson elicited laughs joking that the two were friends despite the difference in their popularity ratings, “I went from the A social list to the Z. I never came back to the A.”
He turned solemn toward the end saying, "None of us were ready for this day."
Former President, and first son of George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush eulogized his father, giving warm sentiments and laughter wrapped with emotion and tenderness.
He started the speech by saying, “distinguished guests, including our presidents and first ladies,” thanking everyone for being there.
Then he joked that once he heard his father say, “The idea is to die young, as late as possible.”
George W. Bush painted the portrait of his father’s life through his personal stories and recounts of the 41st president’s career and time serving in the Navy. The former president talked about his father’s strength, love of life and courage.
George W. Bush broke down at the end talking about his love for his father and saying that he is holding his mother’s hand again.
"Through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter could have. Dad is hugging Robin and holding mom's hand again," he said through tears.
Rev. Dr. Russell Levenson Jr., gave the homily saying he’s heard that this is the “end of an era.” He continued, “But it does not have to be. Perhaps it is an invitation to fill the hole left behind.”
Then he pointed to George H.W. Bush's casket and said, “Mr. President, mission complete.”
Following the service, Bush’s casket was taken out of the cathedral and taken to Houston, Texas.
The Air Force plane, which often serves as Air Force One, with Bush's casket left for a final service in Houston and burial Thursday at his family plot on the presidential library grounds at Texas A&M University in College Station.
As a motorcade subsequently carried Bush's remains to the family church, St. Martin's Episcopal, along a closed interstate, hundreds of people in stopped cars on the other side of the road took pictures and shot cellphone video. One driver of a tanker truck climbed atop the hulking vehicle for a better view, and at least 15 firefighters scaled a pair of stopped firetrucks to salute.
Upon its arrival at the church, Bush's casket was met by a military band and Houston Democratic Mayor Sylvester Turner.
His final resting place is alongside Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years, and Robin Bush, the daughter who died of leukemia at age 3.