Long lines to honour Bush snr

Soldiers, citizens in wheelchairs and long lines of others on foot wound through the hushed Capitol Rotunda to view George H.W. Bush’s casket and remember a president whose legacy included World War military service and a landmark law affirming the rights of the disabled.

Bob Dole, a compatriot in war, peace and political struggle, steadied himself out of his wheelchair and saluted his old friend and one-time rival.

As at notable moments in his life, Bush brought together Republicans and Democrats in his death, and not only the VIPs.

Members of the public who never voted for the man waited in the same long lines as the rest, attesting that Bush possessed the dignity and grace that deserved to be remembered by their presence on a cold overcast day in the capital.

“I’m just here to pay my respects,” said Jane Hernandez, a retired physician in the heavily Democratic city and suburbs. “I wasn’t the biggest fan of his presidency, but all in all he was a good sincere guy doing a really hard job as best he could.”

Bush’s service dog, Sully, was brought to the viewing, too — his main service these last months since Barbara Bush’s death in April being to rest his head on her husband’s lap. Service dogs are trained to do that.

First lady Melania Trump gave Laura Bush a tour of holiday decorations at the White House. And the Trumps visited members of the Bush family at the Blair House presidential guesthouse, where they are staying. Former President George W. Bush and his wife greeted the Trumps outside before everyone went in for the private, 20-minute visit.

Blair House is across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House. The actual distance is just 230m — a route the Trumps travelled in the presidential parade limousine, with a motorcade of at least seven other vehicles.

The Bushes later made a surprise visit to the Capitol Rotunda, shaking hands with visitors and tourists.

Although Trump was to attend Bush’s national funeral service today, he is not among the eulogists.