The state funeral for President George H W Bush was on Wednesday December 5 in Washington, DC and on Thursday December 6 in Huston, TX. Both funerals were well done and dignified, befitting a man who lived a dignified life. Apparently Presidential funeral planning is started right after the Inauguration and updated over the years and Bush had a 211 page funeral document. Jon Meacham and President George W Bush’s speeches were the best and had the audience laughing and crying, often at the same time. Meacham had already given his speech once to George H W to see if he liked it and he did. The train ride after the funeral in Texas aboard the Union Pacific #4141 was very cool and a nice historical touch.
What stood out was how President George H W was loved and respected by family, friends, and foes. I did not agree with many of his policies while he was President, but you knew he loved the country and did what he believed was best at the time. He was the last of the Greatest Generation Presidents. I don’t believe we will have another President that would go into the military service. But for #41 and his generation it was what you did and you got on with it. Barbara was mentioned a few times during the services, but I wonder how far he would have risen without her help, support, and love. They were a wonderful team.
What was fascinating to watch was the interaction between the former Presidents and Vice Presidents and their wives. Everyone got so old. I was counting heads to see who was there and I could not find Mondale, but someone tweeted that he was there, but I never did see him. They were talking and laughing and getting along. Then you saw it all change, as if a dark, joy-killing cloud had decent upon the funeral with the arrival of Trump. Politicians sitting near and behind him were visibly glaring at him and they were not happy. The looks that Dan Quayle gave was priceless. Trump and wife #3 did not sing or participate in the service. Just shows you how rude Trump is and has no manners. He is not a gentleman. You could tell that he did not want to be there and no one wanted him to be there. All I kept thinking was that no one is going to go to Trumps funeral and no one is going to say anything nice because he is not a nice person and he will never be a beloved president like Bush H W, Bush W, Carter, Clinton, and Obama.
When President George W arrived at the funeral in DC I wondered if he would give Michelle Obama a mint or piece of candy like he did before at John McCain’s funeral, and as he was walking towards the row of Presidents I noticed his hand went into his pocket and he was ready to hand her the mint. Despite all his grief and this sad occasion, George W still wanted to make a kind lovely gesture. I now wonder with the loss of George H W, what will Bill Clinton do? Will he become closer to George W or to Obama. Will they be the three amigos and go out and play golf all the time? That would be lovely to see.
This is what has been put on the grave stone and stone foot marker:
GEORGE BUSH
LTJG USN 173464
41ST PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES
GEORGE H. W. BUSH
JUNE 12, 1924 — NOV. 30, 2018
HE LOVED BARBARA VERY MUCH
From the Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2018/12/05/george-w-bushs-grief-his-dad-george-hw-bush-is-both-intimate-historic/?utm_term=.6230191fc6c0):
In George H.W. Bush’s final minutes, they put a phone to his. It was George W. The dying man had not spoken in hours, but the younger hoped he would hear.
“ ‘Dad,’ I said, ‘I love you. You’ve been a wonderful father,’ ” George W. recounted during his eulogy.
And the last words the 41st president ever spoke were to the 43rd, a four-word epitaph of everything they meant to each other:
“I love you, too.”
