Well-wishers
HOUSTON/WASHINGTON— A divided Washington led by the United States’ five living presidents put on a rare show of unity on Wednesday at the state funeral of George H.W. Bush, as the country bade farewell to its 41st president.
US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump shared a front row pew in the National Cathedral with past presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and their wives as an honor guard brought Bush’s flag-draped casket into the prayer hall filled with dignitaries.
George W. Bush tapped the casket twice when he walked up to deliver a rousing eulogy, fighting through tears as he sang the praises of his father and predecessor as commander-in-chief, who died on Friday at age 94.
“He showed me what it means to be a president who serves with integrity, leads with courage, and acts with love in his heart for the citizens of our country,” Bush said.
“When the history books are written, they will say that George H.W. Bush was a great president of the United States.”
Wednesday’s funeral capped a national homage that saw Bush lie in state in the US Capitol rotunda, where thousands paid respects to a statesman who steered the nation through turbulent times including the end of the Cold War.
Since Bush’s death, Trump has traded his usual provocative posture for one of solemnity, tweeting before the service about “a day of celebration for a great man who has led a long and distinguished life”. “He will be missed!” Trump wrote. Trump ordered the federal government closed on Wednesday for a national day of mourning. Flags on public buildings are flying at halfstaff for 30 days.
At the funeral, Trump and his Democratic predecessors appeared locked in an uneasy truce.
Trump arrived and shook hands with Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama.
But his greetings stopped there, and the body language turned cold as he failed to acknowledge Hillary Clinton, his defeated Democratic rival in 2016.
Clinton stared straight ahead and the two made no eye contact.
Bells tolled while the casket was carried down the aisle, as dignitaries including Britain’s Prince Charles, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former Polish president Lech Walesa, and former US vice-presidents and cabinet officials looked on.
Precision, patriotic ritual, and ceremony ruled the day. The Bushes and congressional leaders stood outside the US Capitol with hands on hearts as Bush’s casket was carried out to a 21-gun salute.
Pennsylvania Avenue was lined with well-wishers as the cortege proceeded toward the Neo-Gothic cathedral in the first presidential funeral since Gerald Ford died in 2006.
Bush was a decorated World War II aviator who nearly died when he was shot down on a bombing mission.
He served as a congressman, envoy to China, director of the CIA, and vice-president to Ronald Reagan before winning the White House.
At a time of political fissures, admirers of the 41st US president looked to him this week as a dedicated servant of country who aimed to do good and bridge political divides.
“His life code, as he said, was tell the truth, don’t blame people, be strong, do your best, try hard, forgive, stay the course,” presidential historian Jon Meacham told Wednesday’s service.
Afterward, the presidential aircraft carried Bush and family on his final journey from Washington back to Houston, Texas.
He will lie in repose at St Martin’s Episcopal Church, where the Bushes worshipped for decades, until he is buried on Thursday.
Bush will be interred at his presidential library in College Station, Texas, next to his wife, who died in April, and their daughter Robin, who died of leukemia at age 3.
“In our grief, let us smile knowing that Dad is hugging Robin and holding Mom’s hand again,” his son George said.
Bush’s death makes Carter, also 94 but more than 100 days younger, the oldest living ex-president.