 Bush lies in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda | |
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Personal 43rd Vice President of the United States Vice presidential campaigns 41st President of the United States Tenure Policies Presidential campaigns   | ||
On November 30, 2018,George H. W. Bush, the 41stpresident of the United States and the 43rdvice president, died from vascularParkinson's syndrome at his home inHouston, Texas. At the age of 94 years, 171 days, Bush was thelongest-lived president in U.S. history at the time of his death, a record which has since been surpassed byJimmy Carter.[7]
Shortly after news broke of Bush's death, PresidentDonald Trump declared anational day of mourning and ordered all flags "throughout the United States and its territories and possessions" lowered tohalf staff for 30 days after his death. Bush'sstate funeral was the official funerary rites conducted by the U.S. government, which occurred over a period of four days from December 3 to 6, 2018. About a dozen world leaders attended the event.
Bush experienced a series of health problems in his final years. In 2012, he was diagnosed with vascularParkinsonism, necessitating the use of amobility scooter and eventually awheelchair, limiting his speech and his ability to travel across the world, due to this, he did not participate at thememorial service of Nelson Mandela in 2013, opting to send a message of condolence to Mandela's family and watch the event on television instead.[8][9][10] He was hospitalized numerous times in serious condition, most notably missing theinauguration of Donald Trump due to being in theintensive care unit atHouston Methodist Hospital.[10][11]
Following the death of his wifeBarbara on April 17, 2018, Bush continued to deal with a variety of health issues. He was hospitalized a day after her funeral in critical condition withsepsis, but he was eventually stabilized and released.[12] In May, a month before his 94th birthday, he was briefly admitted to a hospital in Maine due tolow blood pressure. Released after about two weeks, he returned toHouston.[13]
In late November, Bush's health began to decline again. He received former presidentBarack Obama at his home for what was described as a "private visit" on November 27. By November 28, he had stopped eating and did not leave his bed, telling his medical staff he did not want to return to the hospital.James Baker, former Secretary of State and a longtime friend of Bush, reported that Bush's condition had improved by the morning of November 30, as he had begun eating again and was able to sit up from his bed and converse with others. According to Baker, Bush's last meal consisted of three soft-boiled eggs, a cup of yogurt, and two fruit drinks.[10]
By that evening, however, his health again worsened and death was imminent. Irish tenorRonan Tynan came and sang two songs for Bush, as his family and friends gathered at the household or were placed on speakerphone calls to say their goodbyes.[10] Bush's son, former presidentGeorge W. Bush, called from his home in Dallas and told his father that he loved him; the elder Bush replied "I love you, too", which were his last words.[14] Shortly after that conversation, Bush died at 10:10 p.m.Central Standard Time. Baker described the death as "peaceful", adding "If those things could be sweet, it was sweet".[10]
Within hours of his death, the former president's office issued a statement indicating that funeral arrangements would be announced "as soon as practical".[15] The exact cause of death was not immediately announced.[16]
I do further appoint December 5, 2018, as a national day of mourning throughout the United States. I call on the American people to assemble on that day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to the memory of President George H.W. Bush. I invite the people of the world who share our grief to join us in this solemn observance.
At 12:49 a.m.EST on December 1, PresidentDonald Trumptweeted that he andMelania Trump's "hearts ache with his loss and we, with the entire American people, send our prayers to the entire Bush family".[17][18] Former president Barack Obama said that "George H. W. Bush's life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good along the journey."[19] Former presidentBill Clinton sent a statement that "Hillary and I mourn the passing of President George H.W. Bush, and give thanks for his great long life of service, love, and friendship. I will be forever grateful for the friendship we formed. From the moment I met him as a young governor invited to his home in Kennebunkport, I was struck by the kindness he showed to Chelsea, by his innate genuine decency, and by his devotion to Barbara, his children, and their growing brood." Former presidentJimmy Carter mourned his death on Saturday, saying his administration was "marked by grace, civility, and social conscience."[20] Former vice presidentDan Quayle, who served with Bush, said that "the world mourns the loss of a great American" and that he had often told his children to look to Bush as a role model.[21] Former vice presidentAl Gore issued a statement calling Bush a "man of integrity".[21]Sylvester Turner, themayor of Houston – where Bush resided at the time of his death – said that he joined "Houstonians in mourning the death of George Herbert Walker Bush and expressing heartfelt condolences to his children and the rest of the Bush family".[22]
U.S. Army Regulation 600–25 provides that United States Army posts are to fire continuous artillery volleys at 30-minute intervals from sunrise to sunset the day after official notice is received of the death of a former president of the United States. As also provided for by regulation, the corps of cadets of theUnited States Military Academy are to be immediately assembled to be officially informed of the death by the superintendent.[23]
At mid-morning on December 1, President Donald Trump proclaimed December 5 to be a national day of mourning.[24] The proclamation further decreed that American flags "on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions" be lowered to half staff until December 30, 2018.[24] In addition, all agencies of theUnited States Government throughout the United States were ordered closed on the day of mourning and theSupreme Court of the United States announced it would postpone hearing oral arguments inGamble v. United States which had been previously scheduled for that day.[25][26]
TheUnited States Postal Service suspended regular mail deliveries, retail services and administrative office activity on December 5 as part of the national day of mourning although there was limited package delivery to avoid any setbacks for the Holiday season.[27] All of the United States' principal financial exchanges – including theNew York Stock Exchange andNASDAQ – suspended trading for the duration of the day of mourning.[28]
TheGovernment of the United Kingdom issued instructions that all government offices in the United Kingdom were to lower theUnion flag to half-mast on December 1, 2018.[29] In Canada, flags on all federal buildings were ordered flown at half-staff on December 5.[30]
On December 1 theKuwait Towers displayed images of Bush in honor of his vital role in theGulf War.[31]
The President of the Republic of KosovoHashim Thaçi announced on December 5 the day of national mourning with the flags half-masted.[32][33]
Two hours following the death of Bush, approximately 100 students atTexas A&M University gathered at theGeorge H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and proceeded to a nearby statue of Bush to pay respects.[34] Later that day, on an overlook near theBush Compound in Maine, people spontaneously gathered to lay flowers, among them including formerUniversity of Massachusetts presidentJack M. Wilson.[35] A makeshift memorial of flowers, flags, and cards was also created by members of the public outside the gates of Bush's Houston home.[36]
TheDole Institute of Politics at theUniversity of Kansas announced on December 1 that it would immediately lay out a book of condolence for members of the public to sign.[37] Also on December 1, the city of Houston announced it would hold a memorial service in honor of Bush on the evening of December 3, 2018, at Hermann Square in front of theHouston City Hall with theHouston Symphony scheduled to provide music.[38]
Moments of silence were observed at sporting events in the weeks following George Bush's death, including prior to the December 3NFL game between theWashington Redskins andPhiladelphia Eagles atLincoln Financial Field, and before the December 9Army–Navy Game, among others.[39][40]
Prior to his death, Bush filed a 211-page document with the Military District of Washington, which contains a request for an aerial flyover of fighter jets inmissing man formation by theUnited States Air Force during his state funeral as well as final interment and burial to occur at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum inCollege Station, Texas. Bush also indicated that he did not want the presidential fanfare, "Hail to the Chief", to be performed during final interment and burial. In addition, Bush made plans for a national funeral service to be held atWashington National Cathedral in Washington D.C.[41]
TheDepartment of Homeland Security designated the Washington phase of the state funeral as aNational Special Security Event, as they have done with the state funerals ofRonald Reagan andGerald Ford, as with other major Washington events sinceSeptember 11, 2001.
The state funeral, as announced, occurred in three stages.[42]
Air transport of Bush's remains occurred aboard aVC-25, tail number 29000, of the United States Air Force's89th Airlift Wing operating under the call sign "Special Air Mission 41" (SAM41).[43]
On the morning of December 3, 2018, the casket carrying Bush's remains was moved from Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home in Houston to a waiting hearse which then proceeded along a specially closed stretch ofInterstate 610 toEllington Field Joint Reserve Base.[44] The hearse was escorted byHouston Police Department motorcycle outriders and arrived on the runway by approximately 11:45 a.m. Central Standard Time.[44]
A brief ceremony was held on the apron for 100 invited guests, among themGeorge P. Bush, prior to the casket's placement on the waiting "Special Air Mission 41" VC-25 which completed take off by 12:10 p.m.[45] Former president George W. Bush accompanied the casket aboard the aircraft, and was joined by the late president Bush's service dogSully.[44]
At approximately 3:25 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 3, Special Air Mission 41 arrived atJoint Base Andrews.[45] The casket containing Bush's remains was removed from the aircraft as theUnited States Air Force Band performed "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" and a 21 gun salute was executed by the U.S. Army'sPresidential Salute Battery.[45] The casket proceeded through a ramp guard composed of U.S. armed forces personnel into a waitingCadillac XTS Echelon hearse for transfer to the United States Capitol.[45]
Bushlay in state in theUnited States Capitol rotunda from the evening of December 3 through the morning of December 5.
On December 5, at approximately 10:00 a.m. EST, the casket was transferred from the Capitol rotunda for funeral services at Washington National Cathedral. The officiating clergy includedMichael Bruce Curry,Mariann Edgar Budde,Randolph Marshall Hollerith, and Dr. Russell Levenson Jr. Rosemarie Logan Duncan was the master of ceremonies.Lauren Bush, Ashley Walker Bush, andJenna Bush Hager were readers. Jan Naylor Cope provided theIntercession. Tributes were made byJon Meacham,Brian Mulroney,Alan K. Simpson, and George W. Bush. President Donald Trump attended, but the Bush family didn't ask him to speak, making this the first state funeral in which there was no tribute from the sitting president since that ofLyndon B. Johnson in 1973.[46]
First Lady Melania Trump, former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush (Bush's eldest son), and Barack Obama were also all in attendance, along with their respective wives, former first ladiesRosalynn Carter,Hillary Clinton,Laura Bush (Bush's daughter-in-law), andMichelle Obama. Also attending were Vice PresidentMike Pence and Second LadyKaren Pence, former vice presidents[47] Dan Quayle, Al Gore,Dick Cheney, andJoe Biden, along with former second ladies[48]Marilyn Quayle,Lynne Cheney, andJill Biden.[49] Presidential children in attendance includedLynda Bird Johnson Robb withChuck Robb,Luci Baines Johnson with Ian Turpin,Tricia Nixon Cox withEdward F. Cox,Susan Ford,Chelsea Clinton, former Florida governorJeb Bush (Bush's younger son), andIvanka Trump withJared Kushner.[50][51][52][53][54][55]
Then-senatorBill Nelson,[56][non-primary source needed] New York GovernorAndrew Cuomo, political adviser to George W. BushKarl Rove, former Homeland Security SecretaryTom Ridge, Democratic RepresentativesJohn Lewis from Georgia andJim Cooper from Tennessee, Republican RepresentativesJohn Culberson from Texas, who represented Bush's old House district, andMark Meadows from North Carolina along with many other lawmakers attended as well.[57] FormerSecretaries of States such asHenry Kissinger,Madeleine Albright,Colin Powell,Condoleezza Rice, andJohn Kerry as well asPrince Charles,Chancellor of GermanyAngela Merkel,Supreme Court JusticeRuth Bader Ginsburg, andPeyton Manning also attended.[58][59][60][61]
Musical tributes were provided by the Armed Forces Chorus, theUnited States Marine Orchestra,United States Coast Guard Band,Michael W. Smith and Ronan Tynan, who sang at Bush's bedside before his death.[62] The coffin was lifted, turned, and borne out of the cathedral toRalph Vaughan Williams's 1906 hymnFor All the Saints, Who From Their Labor Rest (Sine nomine) as five U.S. presidents stood in respect.
After the service, the Washington Ringing Society rang a half-muffledquarter peal ofGrandsire Caters to Bush's memory.[63] The hearse carrying Bush arrived at Joint Base Andrews at approximately 2:01 p.m. EST and at 2:09 p.m. EST transferred aboard VC25A 29000 via scissor truck as the Bush family boarded Special Air Mission 41 and took off after 2:26 p.m. EST.[citation needed]
Bush's remains arrived at Ellington Field at December 5, 4:30 p.m.Central Standard Time where they were greeted by a military escort, transported toSt. Martin's Episcopal Church and laid in repose until the following morning. A second funeral service for family and friends was held at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on December 6. Eulogies were delivered by President Bush's friend, former Secretary of State and White House Chief of Staff James Baker and grandson George P. Bush. Clergy participating in the service included church Rector Dr. Russell Levenson Jr., Bishop of TexasC. Andrew Doyle,[64] and former Bishop of TexasClaude E. Payne. During the service,The Oak Ridge Boys sang "Amazing Grace" andReba McEntire sang "The Lord's Prayer."[65]
After the church service, the remains were driven by hearse to theUnion Pacific Railroad Westfield Auto Facility and transported by special railway funeral car to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum for interment.[66] The funeral train was led byUnion Pacific 4141, anEMD SD70ACe locomotive painted to honor Bush as the first time the remains of any US president had ever traveled on a funeral train sinceDwight Eisenhower in 1969.[67][68] A guard of honor formed by the Ross Volunteers, theGovernor of Texas' military escort, attended the removal of the casket from the funeral train.[69] As the casket was removed, theFightin' Texas Aggie Band played "Hail to the Chief" followed by theAggie War Hymn.[70]
During interment, the United States Navy announced it would perform the largest funeral flyover in its history, with what the Navy described as an "unprecedented" 21F/A-18 Hornets led by Captain Kevin McLaughlin, the commanding officer ofStrike Fighter Wing Atlantic whose own aircraft was painted in a special memorial livery.[71] The flyover was known as the "missing man flyover," and featured 21 aircraft in a unique position as an honor to Bush's Navy pilot service during World War II.[72] The interment ceremony was private; it was not filmed, broadcast on television, or streamed online at the advance request of the Bush family. Only the flyover, as well as the 21-gun salute and the performance of "Taps" that happened at the library grounds, were shown instead. Bush's remains were buried on the early morning of December 6 between the graves of his wife Barbara and his daughter Robin.
Throughout the day, all U.S. military posts equipped with artillery fired 21-gun salutes.[73] Meanwhile, the Salute to the Union – 50 successive rounds of artillery fire – was performed by batteries atFort Sill, Oklahoma,Fort Stewart, Georgia, andFort Drum, New York, at 5:00 p.m., a custom traditionally marking the final interment of a former president.[73][74][75]
As customary, pallbearers during each movement of the casket containing Bush's remains were drawn from personnel of the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard.[44] In addition, honorary pallbearers were selected for most movements of the casket.
Special agents of Bush's formerUnited States Secret Service protective detail served as honorary pallbearers during the movement of the casket from the funeral home in Houston to the hearse that would transport it to Ellington Field.[45]
Sailors drawn from the crew of the United States aircraft carrierUSS George H.W. Bush served as honorary pallbearers for the removal of the casket from Special Air Mission 41 at Joint Base Andrews.[45] A further thirteen honorary pallbearers were selected for the transport of the casket from the hearse to the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, all of whom were former ship or strike group commanders of USS George H.W. Bush, including: AdmiralJohn Aquilino, Vice AdmiralDeWolfe Miller, Vice AdmiralFrank Pandolfe, Vice AdmiralNora Tyson, Rear Admiral Kenneth Whitesell, Rear AdmiralDavid Thomas Jr., Rear Admiral Andrew Loiselle, Rear AdmiralStephen Evans, Rear Admiral William Pennington, Rear AdmiralBrian Luther, Rear Admiral Gregory Nosal, Captain Sean Bailey, and Captain Kevin O'Flaherty.[76][71][77] Captain Sean R. Bailey, the ship's commanding officer at the time of Bush's death, was unable to serve as an honorary pallbearer as the vessel was making final preparations for deployment.[71]
Honorary pallbearers serving during the movement of the casket at points during Stage 3 includedCharles F. Hermann (Scowcroft Chair in International Policy Studies at theBush School of Government and Public Service), Amy Sharp (president of the Texas A&M University Student Government Association), and former Texas A&M football coachR. C. Slocum.[69][78][79]
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International leaders attending these services include:[80][81][82]
Governor-General of AustraliaPeter Cosgrove
PrinceAbdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Former premier of BermudaJohn Swan
Former prime minister of CanadaBrian Mulroney
Former president of ColombiaCésar Gaviria
Former president of EstoniaToomas Hendrik Ilves
Former minister of foreign affairs of FranceHubert Védrine
Chancellor of GermanyAngela Merkel
Finance MinisterMoshe Kahlon
Former prime minister of JapanYasuo Fukuda
King of JordanAbdullah II andQueen Rania of Jordan
Former prime minister of KuwaitNasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah
Former president of MexicoCarlos Salinas de Gortari[83]
President of PolandAndrzej Duda and former presidentLech Wałęsa[84]
Former president of PortugalAníbal Cavaco Silva
Former emir of QatarHamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
President of the Legislative YuanSu Jia-chyuan[85]
Charles, Prince of Wales; former prime minister of the United KingdomJohn Major, and wifeNorma Major
Secretary-General of the United NationsAntónio GuterresTrump was invited to attend, but...was not offered a chance to speak...(making him) the first sitting president not to make the speakers' program at the funeral of a predecessor since President Nixon failed to eulogize Lyndon B. Johnson in 1973.
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