Former PresidentGeorge H.W. Bushwill return to Washington for the final time on Monday, starting a four-day memorial period.
The 41st president’s casket departed from Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston on Monday morning, where it traveled to the U.S. capital,according toUSA Today. The casket will remain at the U.S. Capitol Building Rotunda from Monday evening until 7 a.m. Wednesday morning. The public is invited to pay their respects.
Bushdied Fridayin Houston at the age of 94.
On Wednesday morning, Washington National Cathedral will host the state funeral for Bush, before the former president’s body will be taken back to Houston.
George H.W. Bush.Alex Brandon/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Susan Walsh/AP/Shutterstock
Alex Brandon/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
“With his even temperament and hard-won expertise, George Herbert Walker Bush steered this country as straight as he steered that airplane. He kept us flying high and challenged us to fly higher still,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.
“His life was hymn of honor. His legacy is grace perfected. His memory will belong to glory. God bless the 41st President of the United States,” Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said.
Vice President Mike Pence also spoke at the ceremony, thanking the Bush family for “sharing this special man with our nation and the world,” adding, “President Bush was a great leader, who made a great difference in the life of this nation. But he was also just a good man.”
All sitting U.S. Supreme Court justices were in attendance in addition to members of Trump’s cabinet.
President Donald Trump has designated Wednesday as a national day of mourning.
After Bush’s death, his son, former PresidentGeorge W. Bush, posted a touching tribute on Instagram.
Pool/AP/Shutterstock
“The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41’s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens,” he wrote.
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston will hold an additional funeral service for Bush on Thursday. Then, Bush’s casket will be taken to Texas A&M University, home of George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and will be interred at a family plot.
George H.W. Bush’s casket departs Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.David J. Phillip - Pool/Getty
George H.W. Bush’s casket departs Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.Scott Olson/Getty
Bush will be buried on Thursday afternoon alongside his wife,Barbara Bush, whodied in April, and daughter Pauline “Robin” Bush, who died of leukemia in 1953 at age 3.
The family asks that donations be made to theGeorge Bush School of Government and Public Serviceat Texas A&M in lieu of flowers.
source: people.com
