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A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 4 december 2018

At Capitol, Bush saluted as 'gentle soul,' 'great man'

By CALVIN WOODWARD, ways uttered kind words
LAURIE KELLMAN and about the Bush family, of-
ASHRAF KHALIL fered nothing but praise in
WASHINGTON (AP) — The the hours after the former
nation's capital embraced president's death was an-
George H.W. Bush in death nounced.
Monday with solemn cer- "He was just a high-quality
emony and high tributes to man who truly loved his
his service and decency, family," Trump said Satur-
as the remains of the 41st day while in Argentina.
president took their place "One thing that came
in the Capitol rotunda for through loud and clear, he
three days of mourning was very proud of his fam-
and praise by the political ily and very much loved his
elite and everyday citizens family. So he was a terrific
alike. guy and he'll be missed."
With Bush's casket atop the Bush's passing puts him
Lincoln Catafalque, first back in the Washington
used for Abraham Lincoln's spotlight after more than
1865 funeral, dignitaries two decades living the
came forward to honor the relatively low-key life of a
Texan whose efforts for his Former President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, left, and other family members watch as the flag- former president. His death
country extended three draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor also reduces membership
quarters of a century from guard to lie in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, in Washington. in the ex-presidents' club to
World War II through his fi- Associated Press four: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clin-
nal years as an advocate ton, George W. Bush and
for volunteerism and relief Nancy Pelosi, past and in- Bush was remembered just dlelight vigil at a nearby Barack Obama.
for people displaced by coming House speaker, ex- feet away from what he pond and others contribut- One of Bush's major
natural disaster. changed a warm hug with called "Democracy's front ing to growing flower me- achievements was as-
President from 1989 to 1993, George W. Bush and came porch," the west-facing morials at Bush statues at sembling the international
Bush died Friday at age 94. away dabbing her face. steps of the Capitol where both the library and a park military coalition that liber-
In an invocation opening Bush himself seemed to be he was sworn in as presi- in downtown Houston. ated the tiny, oil-rich nation
Monday evening's ceremo- holding back tears. dent. "I think he was one of the of Kuwait from invading
ny, the U.S. House chaplain, Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, He will lie in state in the kindest, most generous neighbor Iraq in 1991. The
the Rev. Patrick J Conroy, the Senate Democratic Capitol for public visitation men," said Marge Frazier, war lasted just 100 hours. He
praised Bush's commitment leader, placed wreaths in through Wednesday. An who visited the downtown also presided over the end
to public service, from the short ceremony be- invitation-only funeral ser- statue on Sunday while of the Cold War between
Navy pilot to congressman, fore the rotunda was to be vice is set for Wednesday showing friends from Cali- the United States and the
U.N. ambassador, envoy to opened to the public. It at Washington National fornia around. former Soviet Union.
China and then CIA direc- was to remain open over- Cathedral. President Don- After services in Washing- A humble hero of World War
tor before being elected night. ald Trump and first lady Me- ton, Bush will be returned II, Bush was just 20 when he
vice president and then Sent off from Texas with a lania Trump are to attend. to Houston to lie in repose survived being shot down
president. 21-gun salute, Bush's cas- Although Bush's funeral ser- at St. Martin's Episcopal during a bombing run over
"Here lies a great man," said ket was carried to Joint vices are suffused with the Church before burial Thurs- a Japanese island. He had
Rep. Paul Ryan, the House Base Andrews outside the flourishes accorded presi- day at his family plot on joined the Navy when he
speaker, and "a gentle capital city aboard an air- dents, by his choice they the library grounds. His final turned 18.
soul. ... His legacy is grace craft that often serves as will not include a formal resting place will be along- Shortly before leaving the
perfected." Air Force One and desig- funeral procession through side Barbara Bush, his wife service, he married his
Vice President Mike Pence nated "Special Air Mission downtown Washington. of 73 years who died in 19-year-old sweetheart,
and Republican Senate 41" in honor of Bush's place The younger President Bush, April, and Robin Bush, the Barbara Pierce, and forged
leader Mitch McConnell on the chronological list of his wife, Laura, and others daughter they lost to leuke- the longest presidential
also spoke. presidents. from the family traveled on mia in 1953 at age 3. marriage in U.S. history.
But political combatants Cannon roared again out- the flight from Houston. Trump has ordered the fed- Bush enrolled at Yale Uni-
set aside their fights to side the Capitol as the sun On Sunday, students, staff eral government closed versity after military service,
honor a Republican who sank and his eldest son, for- and visitors had flocked to Wednesday for a national becoming a scholar-ath-
led in a less toxic time and mer President George W. Bush's presidential library on day of mourning. Flags on lete and captaining the
at times found commonal- Bush, stood with his hand the campus of Texas A&M public buildings are flying baseball team to two Col-
ity with Democrats despite over his heart, watching University, with thousands at half-staff for 30 days out lege World Series before
sharp policy disagree- the casket's procession up of mourners paying their re- of respect for Bush. graduating Phi Beta Kappa
ments. Democratic Rep. the steps. spects at a weekend can- Trump, who has not al- after just 2½ years.q