TIME TO MOURN
After long journey, Bush’s body in Capitol
A grateful nation kicked off its first official day of mourning Monday for George H. W. Bush, saluting the nation’s 41st President’s career of inspired service, calm leadership and dignified statesmanship.
Lifelong friends and devoted family members — including the son who would also become President — accompanied Bush’s body aboard Special Air Mission 41, the Air Force One craft specially designated for Bush in honor of the former naval aviator’s final flight to the nation’s capital.
Bush’s casket was lifted by captains and commanding officers off an aircraft carrier named in Bush’s honor.
At Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, under the banner of a joint-service color guard, with “Hail to the Chief” playing above the din, and a 21-gun salute puncturing the silence, the casket was met by a glossy, black Cadillac hearse with the presidential seal affixed to its doors and flags flapping in the wind just in front of the side mirrors.
Bush, 94, a one-term President, who was at the wheel when the Cold War ended, and was the last of the World War II generation to be commander-in-chief, died Friday at his Texas home after a long bout with Parkinson’s disease and other ailments.
When the motorcade arrived on Capitol Hill, it was met by an honorary collection of former White House workers, including former Vice President Dan Quayle and members of Bush’s cabinet who accompanied the body to the Capitol’s rotunda.
Bush’s body will lie in state at the capitol ahead of a state funeral service in Washington National Cathedral on Wednesday
"While he was known as the quiet man, it was not for lack of nerve or daring,” said Vice President Pence.
“For in all of his 94 years, President Bush never lost his love of adventure and he never failed to answer the call to serve his country."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called Bush “a humble servant.”
“Today this hero has returned to the Capitol a final time,” McConnell said.
“A steady hand staying the course. That’s what George Bush gave us for decades. Through Cold War and the Soviet Union’s collapse, he kept us on course. He kept us flying higher, and challenged us to fly higher still.”
Among those scheduled to attend the funeral is President Trump.
Despite personal clashes between Trump and the Bush family, the 41st President made clear that he wanted Trump at the funeral, putting the institution of the presidency above personal differences.
George W. Bush, the 43rd President, will eulogize his father at Wednesday’s service.
Major U.S. stock markets, including the the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, will be closed Wednesday in Bush’s honor, as will federal offices.
Twelve years have passed since the nation mourned a former President, Gerald Ford, who died in 2006.