Son leads tributes at state funeral for George Bush
GEORGE HW Bush has been celebrated with praise and loving humour as America bade farewell to the country’s 41st president and the last to fight for the US in wartime.
Three former presidents looked on at Washington National Cathedral as a fourth – George W Bush – eulogised his father.
“To us,” the son said of the father, “his was the brightest of a thousand points of light.”
George W Bush broke down briefly at the end of his eulogy while invoking the daughter his parents lost when she was three and his mother Barbara, who died in April.
He took comfort in knowing “Dad is hugging Robin and holding Mom’s hand again”.
For all the sombre tributes to the late president’s public service and strength of character, laughter filled the cathedral time after time.
Mr Bush’s eulogists – son included – noted his tendency to tangle his words and show his goofy side.
He was “the last great soldierstatesman”, historian Jon Meacham said in his eulogy, “our shield” in dangerous times.
But he also said that Mr Bush, campaigning in a crowd in a department store, once shook hands with a mannequin.
Rather than flushing in embarrassment, he simply cracked: “Never know. Gotta ask.”
After the service, the hearse and a long procession of cars headed for Joint Base Andrews and the flight to Texas – but first down to the National Mall to pass by the Second World War Memorial. The congregation, filled with foreign leaders and diplomats, Americans of high office and others touched by Mr Bush’s life, rose for the arrival of the coffin, accompanied by clergy of faiths from around the world.
In their row together, President Donald Trump and former presi- dents Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton stood with their spouses and all placed their hands over their hearts.
Mr Meacham also praised Mr Bush’s call to volunteerism – his “1,000 points of light” – placing it alongside Abraham Lincoln’s call to honour “the better angels of our nature” in the American rhetorical canon.
Mr Trump had mocked “1,000 points of light” last summer at a rally, saying: “What the hell is that? Has anyone ever figured that one out? And it was put out by a Republican, wasn’t it?”
The national funeral service capped three days of remembrance in Washington before Mr Bush’s remains returned to Texas for burial today.
He died on Friday at the age of 94. Mr Bush will lie in repose at St Martin’s Episcopal Church before burial at his family plot on the presidential library grounds at Texas A&M University in College Station.
His final resting place will be alongside Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years, and Robin Bush, the daughter they lost to leukaemia in 1953.
Yesterday morning, a military band played Hail To The Chief as Mr Bush’s coffin was carried down the steps of the US Capitol, where he had laid in state.
Family members looked on as servicemen fired off a cannon salute.
His hearse was then driven in a motorcade to the cathedral ceremony, slowing in front of the White House.
Mr Bush’s route was lined with people much of the way, in winter hats and taking photos.
Waiting for his arrival inside, Mr Trump shook hands with Mr Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, who greeted him by saying “Good morning.”
Mr Trump did not shake hands with Bill and Hillary Clinton, who looked straight ahead.
Mr Clinton and Mrs Obama smiled and chatted as music played, while Mr Carter was seated silently next to Mrs Clinton in the cavernous cathedral.
Mr Trump ordered the federal government closed yesterday for a national day of mourning, while flags on public buildings are flying at halfmast for 30 days.