Air Force One collects Bush casket for days-long homage
HOUSTON: America’s national farewell to George HW Bush begins today with the transfer of his casket aboard the presidential plane from Texas to Washington, where he will lie in state in the rotunda of the US Capitol.
The 41st US president died Friday at age 94, at his home in Houston – ‘a very gentle and peaceful passing,’ his lifelong friend and advisor James Baker said on ABC’s ‘ This Week.’
Bush – only the second president to see his son follow him to the Oval Office – will be honored with four days of services and tributes in Washington and in Texas, where he will be buried on Thursday.
The high point of the commemorations will come on Wednesday with a state funeral at Washington National Cathedral – the first presidential funeral since Gerald Ford died in 2006.
Bush was a decorated World War II fighter pilot, former head of the Central Intelligence Agency, and vice-president to Ronald Reagan before winning the White House.
President Donald Trump – who has often clashed with the Bush family – has declared Wednesday a national day of mourning, and said he will attend the funeral.
The week’s events begin at 1630 GMT today, when Bush’s remains are to be flown aboard the presidential Boeing 747 – made available at Trump’s direction – from Houston to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
By tradition, the plane is only known as Air Force One when the sitting president is on board.
Family spokesman Jim McGrath said the flights to carry Bush are being dubbed ‘Special Air Mission 41.’
“A beautiful day In Texas – ‘ceiling and visibility unlimited,’ Mr President,” he wrote – using a phrase that Bush held dear from his time in the Navy, and one used by his family and friends to discreetly spread the news of his death.
Bush’s son George – the 43rd president of the United States – and other loved ones are expected to travel on the presidential jet.
Also reportedly expected to make the trip is his service dog Sully – McGrath posted a touching photo of the yellow Labrador near Bush’s casket with the phrase ‘Mission Complete.’
After a speech from VicePresident Mike Pence, Bush will lie in state in the US Capitol from today evening until Wednesday morning, under the watchful gaze of an around-the- clock honor guard. Thousands are expected to pay their respects.
The casket will then be transported to the cathedral for Wednesday’s funeral service – the fourth held there for a former president.
Dozens of foreign leaders and US luminaries are expected. — AFP