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George HW Bush casket arrives in Washington before state funeral George HW Bush casket arrives in Washington before state funeral
(about 3 hours later)
The casket carrying the body of George HW Bush arrived in Washington on Monday afternoon, aboard the US military plane commonly known as Air Force One. The face of the former president George W Bush was etched with grief onMonday as his father’s flag-draped coffin was placed on a catafalqueat the US Capitol.The 43rd president, now a grieving son, blinked hard as George HWBush’s casket was carried into the Capitol rotunda by uniformedofficers. His wife, Laura, kept her arm linked through his for most ofthe 40-minute ceremony.Bush died last Friday at the age of 94. He was the longest-livedpresident in American history and the last of the second world wargeneration.The Bush family gathered in the Capitol rotunda, replete with statues ofBush’s Republican contemporaries, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, andsurrounded by diplomats and members of Donald Trump’sadministration, the US Congress, the military and the Supreme Court, includingJustice Clarence Thomas, a controversial Bush nominee.
Donald Trump was not at the ceremony. Instead, the president plans to attend the funeral on Wednesday.The presence of leading Democrats including Nancy Pelosi, ChuckSchumer and Cory Booker, and the Washington mayor Muriel Bowser, ensured abipartisan dimension for a man whose death has prompted a temporaryceasefire in Washington’s politics of rancour and division.But as the 1988 election campaign proved, Bush could embrace roughtactics for the conservative cause. The three speakers at Monday’sceremony were all Republicans.The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, described Bush as a “principledleader” committed to “safeguard democracy for the world”. RecallingBush’s service as a naval aviator, McConnell described him as “asteady hand, staying the course. That’s what George Bush gave us fordecades.”The House speaker, Paul Ryan, told the somber gathering under the Capitoldome: “Throughout his life of service, President Bush personifiedgrace.”When Ryan recalled how Bush had reached out his hand to his son at aservice following the 9/11 attacks, George W Bush was moved to say: “Yes.” Heshook the speaker’s hand as he went past to sit down.Vice-President Mike Pence recalled entering politics at 29 and meetingBush. “I was struck by his approachability,” he said. “There was akindness about the man.”Pence told how, this year, Bush had sent a handwritten letterto his own son after he became a marine aviator.Bush smiled at Pence but did not shake his hand as he sat down besidehim. Leaders from both parties the laid wreaths beside the casket asthe former president and other family members, including his brother Jeb,solemnly looked on.The public will be able to file past the casket.
The casket carrying the body of George HW Bush had arrived in Washington on Monday afternoon from Texas, aboard the US military plane known as Air Force One when the serving president is aboard.
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The crew, who flew the plane to Houston on Sunday, were tasked with carrying out “Special Air Mission 41”, the number a reference to Bush’s place in the roster of America’s presidents.The crew, who flew the plane to Houston on Sunday, were tasked with carrying out “Special Air Mission 41”, the number a reference to Bush’s place in the roster of America’s presidents.
In Texas on Monday morning the casket, draped in an American flag, was carried by former secret service agents and escorted by Houston police. It was to be accompanied to Joint Base Andrews by the 43rd president, Bush’s son George W Bush; his wife, Laura; his brother Neil Bush and his family. Family spokesman Jim McGrath said other Bush family members are expected to be at the Maryland military base for the arrival. The casket was accompanied from Texas to Joint Base Andrews near the capital George W Bush, Laura and the younger George’s brother Neil Bush and his family.
Donald Trump has ordered the federal government closed on Wednesday for a national day of mourning. Flags on public buildings are flying at half-staff for 30 days.Donald Trump has ordered the federal government closed on Wednesday for a national day of mourning. Flags on public buildings are flying at half-staff for 30 days.
Trump has not always uttered kind words about the Bush family. But he offered nothing but praise after the former president’s death was announced.Trump has not always uttered kind words about the Bush family. But he offered nothing but praise after the former president’s death was announced.
“He was just a high-quality man who truly loved his family,” Trump said on Saturday while in Argentina for the G20 summit. “One thing that came through loud and clear, he was very proud of his family and very much loved his family. So he was a terrific guy and he’ll be missed.”“He was just a high-quality man who truly loved his family,” Trump said on Saturday while in Argentina for the G20 summit. “One thing that came through loud and clear, he was very proud of his family and very much loved his family. So he was a terrific guy and he’ll be missed.”
Bush’s death reduces the ex-presidents’ club to four: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama. He was denied a second term by Clinton, who would later become a close friend. Writing for the Washington Post on Saturday, Clinton declared of Bush: “I just loved him.”Bush’s death reduces the ex-presidents’ club to four: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama. He was denied a second term by Clinton, who would later become a close friend. Writing for the Washington Post on Saturday, Clinton declared of Bush: “I just loved him.”
Carter, at 94, the oldest living ex-president, confirmed he will attend the Washington funeral. His wife Rosalynn, 91, will not. Clinton and Obama are expected to attend, as is Obama’s vice-president, Joe Biden. Carter, at 94, the oldest living ex-president, confirmed he will attend the Washington funeral. Clinton and Obama are expected to attend.
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CNN reported on Monday that George W Bush will speak at the funeral, as will former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney, former senator Alan Simpson and the historian Jon Meacham, Bush’s biographer. The report said Trump would not speak, but would meet Bush family members privately. CNN reported on Monday that Trump would not speak at the funeral, but would meet Bush family members privately.
In Texas, students, staff and visitors flocked to Bush’s presidential library at Texas A&M University in College Station. Thousands paid their respects at a candlelight vigil while others contributed to flower memorials at Bush statues at the library and a park in downtown Houston. Bush’s body will then be returned to Houston. He will be buried on Thursday at his family plot on the library grounds at Texas A&M University. His final resting place will be alongside Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years who died in April at the age of 92, and Robin Bush, the daughter they lost to leukemia in 1953 at age three.
A similar outpouring is anticipated in Washington this week. Bush will lie in state in the Capitol rotunda for a ceremony and public visitation from Monday evening through to Wednesday.
Bush will then be returned to Houston to lie in repose at St Martin’s Episcopal church before burial on Thursday at his family plot on the library grounds. His final resting place will be alongside Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years who died in April at the age of 92, and Robin Bush, the daughter they lost to leukemia in 1953 at age three.
Mission complete. #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/rXdyXAS4lkMission complete. #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/rXdyXAS4lk
On Sunday, a picture spread online of Bush’s service dog in front of his flag-draped casket. Bush spokesman McGrath posted the picture of the yellow Labrador retriever named Sully with the caption: “Mission complete. #Remembering41.” On Sunday, a picture spread online of Bush’s service dog in front of his flag-draped casket. A Bush family spokesman, Jim McGrath, posted the picture of the yellow Labrador retriever named Sully with the caption: “Mission complete. #Remembering41.”
Bush received Sully in June from America’s VetDogs nonprofit organization. The president had a form of Parkinson’s disease. Sully could open doors, pick up items and summon help. KTRK-TV in Houston reported that Sully will now return to America’s VetDogs in New York and then join the Water Reed National Military Medical Center’s Facility Dog Program.
George HW BushGeorge HW Bush
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