The body of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush arrived on Monday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, where mourners will pay tribute to the man who led the nation as the Cold War ended.
With hands on hearts, members of Bush's cabinet, lawmakers and Supreme Court justices honored the 41st president as his flag-draped casket entered the Capitol Rotunda.
The Bush family, led by son and former President George W. Bush were on hand as the patriarch of their family was sent off from his home with a 21-gun salute and his casket, taken to Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, and then on a final trip down Pennsylvania Avenue to the steps of the Capitol.
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the first official to speak in the Rotunda, described George H.W. Bush as a "humble servant" and "a principled leader."
"He kept us flying high and challenged us to fly higher still, and he did it with modesty and kindness that would've been surprising in someone one-tenth as tough and accomplished as he was," McConnell said.
Other speakers at the funeral were, Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker, Paul Ryan who said that he campaigned for Bush in high school.
"He was the first president I had the chance to vote for. And he was the first president to teach me and many of us that in a democracy, sometimes you fall short. And that how you handle that, that is just as important as how you win," ....Ryan said
The remarks paid tribute to a man known for his kindness and humility.
"He was the first president I had the chance to vote for. And he was the first president to teach me and many of us that in a democracy, sometimes you fall short. And that how you handle that, that is just as important as how you win," ....Ryan said
The remarks paid tribute to a man known for his kindness and humility.
"When President George H.W. Bush left office, he left America and the world more peaceful, prosperous and secure. He was a great leader who made a great difference in the life of this nation. But he also was a good man who was devoted to his wife, his family and his friends."Pence said.
Pence shared a personal story of Bush writing to his son after he earned his Wings of Gold and made his first tail-hook landing as a Marine aviator on the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.
"I asked him to sign a picture of the flight deck that I could give to my son. We were told by the staff that the president had long since ended the practice of signing autographs and we understood that. But little to my surprise, just in time for my son's winging, there came not only a signed photograph but, of course, a letter. Hand-signed as well," Pence said.
"In that letter President Bush wrote to my son, 'Congratulations on receiving your wings of gold. I know how proud you and your family are at this moment.' And then in words that assured us that the letter came directly from him, he wrote, 'Though we have not met, I share the pride your father has for you during this momentous occasion and I wish you many C.A.V.U. days ahead. All the best, G. Bush,'" Pence said.
C.A.V.U. stands for clear skies and visibility unlimited and was one of Bush's favorite terms from his time in the Navy.
"Ceiling and visibility unlimited. That may well describe the essence of this man," Pence said. "And it may well have been his vision. The vision he had for his life, for his children, his children's children and his country. No barriers, no boundaries, no limits."Pence said.
The body of the former president will lie in state at the Rotunda through Wednesday, when a state funeral is scheduled at the Washington National Cathedral.
President Trump and first lady Melania will be paying tribute to Bush 41 later tonight, after which the rotunda will be open to public and visitors will be allowed to walk past casket.
Trump has ordered the federal government to close on Wednesday and both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will be closed in observance. U.S. bond and options markets were also due to be closed, with energy and foreign exchange markets expected to remain open.
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