My father believed in service to others
A lot of attention at this moment is being paid to President George H.W. Bush for his role as a naval aviator, his public service and his devotion to my mother and our wonderful family. But something else we think about when we reflect on George Bush’s life is his deep belief that each of us can make a difference in the lives of others by being what he called a point of light.
He regarded a life of service to others of being one of life’s secrets to happiness in that it was a way of living a life of greater meaning and adventure, not to mention success, given his belief that “any definition of a successful life must include serving others.”
He recognized that in many ways, points of light are a critical part of the story of America. It has always been true that no government or one institution can meet all the critical, diverse needs of our nation. Rather it is the creativity, vision and extraordinary will of individuals acting alone, and with others, that can often be the most constructive force in civic life.
President Bush believed everyone can be a 'point of light'
In President Bush’s words, “The efforts of points of light are the source of our country’s greatness.” These are the great ones, who form a uniquely American constellation of excellence through service and challenge us all to do more, to be more. Points of light were to him “the soul of America” and “the promise of America’s future.”
So strongly did George Bush believe in these ideas that when he was president, he started Points of Light, now the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service.
Behind this uniquely American idea that light within each of us can voluntarily be revealed for the good of others, is also one of the simplest and most important ideas that unites us all. Examples of its unifying power are all around us. George Bush and Bill Clinton and thousands of other Americans worked side by side in relief efforts.
President Barack Obama said it well in 2009 on the 20th anniversary of Points of Light: "In the end, service binds us to each other — and to our communities and our country — in a way that nothing else can. That's how we become more fully American. That's what it means to be American. It's always been the case in this country — that notion that we invest ourselves, our time, our vision, our purpose into the very fabric of this nation. That's the essence of our liberty, that we give back, freely."
Neil Bush and Gregg Petersmeyer
Remember President Bush by pledging service to others
Every year, Points of Light mobilizes more than 5 million volunteers who make the choice to serve, just as President Bush did. And more than 20 million hours are dedicated to children’s mentoring programs, home-building projects, disaster response and so much more.
As we remember George H.W. Bush in the days and weeks ahead for who he was and how he lived, I hope people will take a moment to pledge their service to others — to become points of light who “reach beyond themselves to touch the lives of those in need, bringing hope and opportunity, care and friendship.” That’s what he would want.
Neil Bush, one of George H.W. Bush's sons, is chairman of the board of directors at Points of Light. Gregg Petersmeyer is a former assistant to President Bush and founding director of the White House Office of National Service.