Nation comes together to remember President Bush

     Putting politics and divisiveness aside last week, it was nice to see the nation and our leaders (national and world leaders) come together surrounding the passing of our 41^st President, George H.W. Bush.

     As a history buff, I watched all of the funeral processions in Washington, D.C., as well as in Texas later in the week as the family privately laid their father, grandfather and great grandfather to rest. It was heartwarming to hear from so many who worked for and loved George Bush. During the public funeral in Washington, D.C., Bush’s son, our 43^rd President, George W. Bush perhaps had the most touching eulogy to date. At the tail end, Bush broke down in tears noting that his father is now in heaven, holding their mother’s hand (Barbara Bush), and hugging their young sister (Robin) who died at age 3 from childhood leukemia.

     Others who spoke in D.C. included: historian and biographer Jon Meacham, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson. Simpson got to be quite good friends with Bush during and following both of their stints in government service.

     Another family member, Bush’s grandson George P. Bush, eulogized his grandfather during the funeral in Texas. His grandchildren all referred to 41 as “Gampy.”

     Bush’s Secretary of State James Baker also reminisced about his dear friend. Baker was with Bush when he passed away, and also broke down remembering his long-time cohort.

     The pomp and circumstance surrounding it all just really impressed me. There is so much coordination that goes into planning and carrying out a presidential wake and funeral.

     Obviously even after a President exits the White House, they still receive Secret Service detail service, as does their immediate family. As of Friday, Dec. 7, the Secret Service ended their detail of Bush, or as they referred to him by code name “Timberwolf.”

     One of Bush’s Secret Service agents tweeted: “Timberwolf’s Detail concluded at 0600…with no incidents to report at the George Bush Presidential Library – College Station, Texas. God speed Former President George H.W. Bush – you will be missed by all of us.”

     Bush was the last of current U.S. presidents who served their country in military service before becoming president. While he was a one-term president, much took place under his term:

     • The first Gulf War

     • The end of the Cold War

     • The collapse of the Berlin Wall

     • The invasion of Panama to bring the president of Panama to justice for drug trafficking

     • The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act

     As Bush lied in wake at the U.S. Capitol in D.C., several people representing the Americans with Disabilities Act were in attendance.

     One scene of note as Bush was remembered in D.C., former Sen. Bob Dole, 95 years old, stood at attention (with assistance) and saluted Bush’s casket with the American Flag draped over it. What a sight to see! And so touching!

     You may be a Democrat. You may be a Republican. You may not be associated with any political party. But I think we can all agree that George H.W. Bush led with bi-partisan effort, and clearly brought everyone together to remember him and his legacy.