Eulogies for 41st president highlighted by emotions of 43rd

WASHINGTON — Former President George W. Bush was eulogizing his father with a perfect mix of serious and funny, remembering his bravery in combat and his dislike of broccoli, his patriotism and his lousy dancing.

Then a burst of raw emotion rose up, and a grieving son nearly doubled over as he recalled “the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter could have.”

Former President George H.W. Bush was remembered Wednesday as a steadfast leader in tumultuous times and a decent and humble husband, father and friend Bush gathers himself during an emotional moment of his eulogy. during a soaring and deeply personal state funeral at Washington National Cathedral.

“When George Bush was president of the United States of America, every single head of government in the world knew that they were dealing with a gentleman,” said former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, addressing President Donald Trump, the four other living expresidents and 3,000 guests on a rare day of magisterial ceremony in the nation’s capital.

George W. Bush’s tribute was the emotional high point, and the cathedral filled with sustained applause as he passed his father’s flag-wrapped casket, resting on a bier that once held the remains of Abraham Lincoln, returned to his seat and wiped away tears.

The themes he highlighted — of service over self, cooperation over partisanship, family and country over political tribe — also