**LIVE UPDATES** Nation Mourns George H.W. Bush with State Funeral
The nation’s capital bids its final farewell to the late former President George H.W. Bush on Wednesday in a service of prayer and praise.
**Follow all of the events on the Breitbart News Livewire below. All times in eastern.**
1:37 PM —
With the memorial service finished, @JMeacham has given me permission to report that he had the chance to read that beautiful eulogy to President Bush before his death.
After hearing his own eulogy, President Bush said, characteristically: “That’s a lot about me, Jon.” #Bush41
— Willie Geist (@WillieGeist) December 5, 2018
1:33 PM —
The hearse and casket are now headed to Joint Base Andrews following the memorial service for former president George H.W. Bush.
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/F5faFolMDW #funeral #memorial #Bush41 #GeorgeBush #Washington #WUSA pic.twitter.com/RwVN0VzuCh— WUSA9 (@wusa9) December 5, 2018
1:16 PM —
The Bush family watches as the casket carrying former President George H.W. Bush is carried out of the Washington National Cathedral #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/nf688sZO9u
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 5, 2018
12:51 PM —
. @michaelwsmith Smitty, thanks for that moving reflection. One of my favorite songs. pic.twitter.com/suHWhvbpeA
— Greg Prescott (@prescott_greg) December 5, 2018
12:48 PM —
“Some have said this is an end of an era. But it doesn’t have to be. Perhaps this is an invitation to fill the void that has been left behind.” — stirring words from the Rev. Dr. Russell Jones Levenson, Jr.’s eulogy of George H.W. Bush
— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) December 5, 2018
12:47 PM —
Rev. Levenson reflecting on George HW Bush’s last hour, of his friend James Baker lovingly stroking Bush’s feet to comfort him in his final moments — a gesture he compared to the selfless love of Christ
— Meridith McGraw (@meridithmcgraw) December 5, 2018
12:34 PM —
George W. Bush greeted by his brother and wife following an emotional eulogy to his father, George H.W. Bush, “the best father a son or daughter could have.” https://t.co/B3hZufXKHW #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/7hphEVbvX6
— ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2018
12:33 PM —
George W. Bush lovingly places his right hand on his father’s flag-draped casket. https://t.co/tNCTSINZik#Bush41 #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/eHwoS7klFW
— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) December 5, 2018
12:32 PM —
George W. Bush tearfully concludes his eulogy to his father: “Through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter could have…Dad is hugging Robin, and holding mom’s hand again.” https://t.co/B3hZufXKHW pic.twitter.com/fxqwjIcSvi
— ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2018
12:29 PM —
“The last words he would ever say on this Earth were, “I love you too.” – President George W. Bush holds back tears as he talks about his father. #Bush41 #7News pic.twitter.com/vFlNAyFkjp
— Justin Dougherty (@DoughertyJC) December 5, 2018
12:27 PM —
“He was born with just two settings: Full throttle, then sleep” — George W. Bush on George H.W. Bush https://t.co/eNW2xPjwKC pic.twitter.com/cJn71tzpme
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 5, 2018
12:25 PM —
George W. Bush on the times his father, George H.W. Bush, nearly died in his youth: “Those brushes with death made him cherish the gift of life and he vowed to live every day to the fullest. Dad was always busy, a man in constant motion, but never too busy to share his love” pic.twitter.com/W1LknvGZpZ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 5, 2018
12:24 PM —
George W. Bush pays tribute to his father: “Those brushes with death made him cherish the gift of life and he vowed to live every day to the fullest” https://t.co/cKodAlcLPL #remembering41 pic.twitter.com/3zQ7OVgz6Z
— ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2018
12:23 PM —
“To his very last days, dad’s life was instructive,” George W. Bush says. “As he aged he taught us how to grow with dignity, humor and kindness—and when the good Lord finally called, how to meet him with courage and with the joy of the promise of what lies ahead.” #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/A2y9FOvoug
— ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2018
12:22 PM —
George W. Bush delivers a eulogy for his father: “To his very last days, dad’s life was instructive. He taught us how to grow with dignity, humor and kindness. And when the good lord finally called — how to meet him with courage and with the joy of the promise of what lies ahead” pic.twitter.com/ncVnCRFqEe
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 5, 2018
12:18 PM — Former President George W. Bush eulogizes his father, George H.W. Bush.
12:12 PM — Simpson on Bush: “His epitaph perhaps just a single letter, the letter ‘L’ for loyalty. It coursed through his blood. Loyalty to his country. Loyalty to his family. Loyalty to his friends. Loyalty to the institutions of government.”
“His epitaph perhaps just a single letter, the letter ‘L’ for loyalty. It coursed through his blood. Loyalty to his country. Loyalty to his family. Loyalty to his friends. Loyalty to the institutions of government” – Alan Simpson on George H.W. Bush https://t.co/eNW2xPjwKC pic.twitter.com/lfZL2OHRl6
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 5, 2018
12:12 PM —
“You would have wanted him on your side,” Simpson said of George H. W. Bush. “He never hated anyone.” Simpson said Bush was the “most decent and honorable friend I ever met.” pic.twitter.com/V6uqmoZWoI
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 5, 2018
12:11 PM —
Former Sen. Alan Simpson praises George H.W. Bush’s humility.
“Those who travel the high road of humility in Washington, D.C. are not bothered by heavy traffic,” he jokes. https://t.co/B3hZufXKHW #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/cEK6grrqy1
— ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2018
12:10 PM —
“When he really tough choices come, it’s the country, not me,” Simpson recalled Bush saying
— Michael Tackett (@tackettdc) December 5, 2018
12:09 PM —
Former Senator Alan Simpson just sang Evita at Bush funeral!
— Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) December 5, 2018
12:08 PM —
Washington National Cathedral is in stitches as former Sen. Alan Simpson runs through the greatest hits of decades of friendship with George H.W. Bush.
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) December 5, 2018
12:05 PM — Simpson: “In George Bush’s theme of life… there was a simple credo: What would we do without family and friends?”
12:03 PM —
Alan Simpson: “My time in Washington was tumultuous. I went from the A social list to the Z, and I never got back to the A. All my wounds were self-inflicted.” pic.twitter.com/rioGROTa4B
— Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) December 5, 2018
12:02 PM — Alan Simpson, former United States senator, Wyoming will give a tribute to former President George H.W. Bush
11:59 AM —
Former Canadian PM Mulroney: “When George Bush was president of the United States of America, every single head of government in the world knew that they were dealing with a gentleman, a genuine leader, one who was distinguished, resolute and brave.” https://t.co/U9j5PUVbqs pic.twitter.com/IOgj8H36Ko
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) December 5, 2018
11:56 AM —
Mulroney cites Bush’s approval of NAFTA as a major accomplishment….which he said has since been “improved”
— Michael Tackett (@tackettdc) December 5, 2018
11:54 AM —
Recalling his first NATO meeting with #Bush41, former Canadian PM Brian Mulroney says he told him “Brian I’ve just learned the fundamental principle of international relations—the smaller the country, the longer the speech.” https://t.co/H5qj3kBM8P pic.twitter.com/ebJv1oVwYl
— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) December 5, 2018
11:53 AM — Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney: “No occupant of the Oval Office was more courageous, more principled, more honorable than George Herbert Walker Bush”
Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney: In the history of the U.S., “no occupant of the Oval Office was more courageous, more principled, and more honorable than George Herbert Walker Bush.” https://t.co/B3hZufXKHW #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/QZFIXn60sc
— ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2018
11:51 AM — Brian Mulroney, 18th Prime Minister of Canada, eulogizes former Pres. George H.W. Bush
11:49 AM —
Presidential historian and George H.W. Bush biographer Jon Meacham:
“For Lincoln and Bush, both called on us to choose the right over the convenient, to hope rather than to fear, and to heed not our worst impulses, but our best instincts.” https://t.co/gDtd8AhlRU pic.twitter.com/2Yi0sTvaos
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 5, 2018
George H.W. Bush’s biographer is hailing the late president as a noble man who made the world better and inadvertently made it chuckle, per the AP.
Historian Jon Meacham has told mourners at a Washington memorial service that Bush’s credo was, “Tell the truth, don’t blame people, be strong, do your best, try hard, forgive, stay the course.”
Meacham said Abraham Lincoln’s “better angels of our nature” and Bush’s thousand points of light are “companion verses in America’s national hymn.” Meacham says Bush “made our lives and the lives of nations freer, better, warmer and nobler.”
11:48 AM —
President Trump and former presidents Obama, Clinton and Carter pay their respects as George H.W. Bush’s casket enters the National Cathedral pic.twitter.com/9660YxEpIE
— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) December 5, 2018
11:47 AM —
Secret Service #Remembering41 as he passes in front of the @WhiteHouse for the last time on his way to the #GeorgeHWBushFuneral at the National Cathedral. pic.twitter.com/3KPSMRIu2Z
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) December 5, 2018
11:24 AM —
A solemn Bush family walks into the National Cathedral ahead of President George H.W. Bush’s funeral services #Remembering41 https://t.co/NDSr7mQQdN pic.twitter.com/CCbx80fyAe
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) December 5, 2018
The casket of former President George H.W. Bush has arrived at Washington National Cathedral in a lengthy, slow-moving motorcade that transported his family, friends and dignitaries.
Bush’s flag-draped coffin left the Capitol on Wednesday morning and was moved to the packed cathedral. The former president had been lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda since Monday.
11:17 AM —
The bells toll at the National Cathedral for #Bush41. pic.twitter.com/tjKQcZxnBQ
— Victoria Sanchez (@VictoriaSanchez) December 5, 2018
11:15 AM —
The Bush family enters the National Cathedral for the state funeral of the 41st president, George H.W. Bush https://t.co/bDnYOoom5j pic.twitter.com/Cl412IVsNb
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) December 5, 2018
11:08 AM —
“Hail to the Chief” plays before the casket of former President George H.W. Bush is brought inside the Washington National Cathedral. #Bush41 pic.twitter.com/TqJHf4nhDr
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) December 5, 2018
11:04 AM —
The Bush family outside of Washington National Cathedral #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/yu729JJwQN
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) December 5, 2018
11:03 AM —
The Bush family prepares to enter the National Cathedral. Jeb gave George W a nice pat of reassurance on the shoulder. #BushFuneral pic.twitter.com/365MqWK5zF
— Jim Spellman (@jimspellmanTV) December 5, 2018
11:02 AM —
Strangely silent in the DFW Airport. Everyone’s glued to the TV watching the Bush funeral. https://t.co/cP6EKmFJ6D pic.twitter.com/pwjBc64pWX
— Dennis 🍂 Jansen (@dennisjansen) December 5, 2018
10:59 AM —
President #Bush41’s hearse has arrived at Washington national Cathedral pic.twitter.com/m6f2QRk2hk
— Tom Fitzgerald (@FitzFox5DC) December 5, 2018
The hearse has arrived at the National Cathedral pic.twitter.com/jgySkL2nUR
— Andrew Peng (@TheAPJournalist) December 5, 2018
The motorcade arriving at the National Cathedral #Bush41 pic.twitter.com/m8D0mrw4cd
— Kaitlin Monte FOX26 (@kaitlinmonte) December 5, 2018
10:56 AM — The U.N. Security Council has paid tribute to the late former President George H.W. Bush, standing silently in his memory, reports the Associated Press.
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara was presiding over the U.N.’s most powerful body on Wednesday and asked the 15 members and diplomats in the crowded council chamber to observe a minute of silence to honor Bush at the start of a meeting on sustaining peace after conflict.
Speaking on behalf of the council, Ouattara said “President Bush left us following a long, illustrious career serving his country,” including as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, where he presided over the Security Council in 1972.
Ouattara conveyed the council’s “warm gratitude to the people and government of the United States of America” and condolences on Bush’s death.
10:52 AM —
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump take their seats in the Washington National Cathedral.
Handshakes from Barack and Michelle Obama, but no greeting from Bill and Hillary Clinton. https://t.co/YsVdNOQqBj#Bush41 pic.twitter.com/975HSqLOSs
— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) December 5, 2018
It’s an extraordinary scene inside the Washington National Cathedral, where former world leaders are mingling, waiting for a ceremony remembering former President George H.W. Bush to begin, per the Associated Press.
Former Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter are seated in a front-row pew.
President Donald Trump walked in and shook hands with Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, who greeted him by saying “Good morning.” Trump did not shake hands with Bill and Hillary Clinton, who looked straight ahead.
Bill Clinton and Mrs. Obama smiled and chatted as music played. Carter is seated silently next to Hillary Clinton in the cavernous cathedral. Obama cracked up laughing at someone’s quip. Vice President Mike Pence shook Carter’s hand.
10:50 AM —
Pres and Mrs Trump escorted to their seats in National Cathedral. pic.twitter.com/GWo2d6p951
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 5, 2018
10:48 AM —
Motorcade carrying dignitaries arrives at Washington National Cathedral. Could not see who was in the vehicles. #Remembering41 @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/KEmpMBPqYi
— Brian Curtis (@BrianCurtisNBC5) December 5, 2018
10:46 AM —
Clergy lines up for the service inside the National Cathedral. #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/Pyh4S0zsg8
— Laura Evans (@lauraevansmedia) December 5, 2018
10:47 AM —
Prince Charles arrives to George H.W. Bush’s funeral #Remembering41 https://t.co/wZ6s6LcmNc pic.twitter.com/qYwkabl9Mq
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) December 5, 2018
10:46 AM —
The National Cathedral is packed to capacity with Americans from all over the country here to honor an American hero and a good man #Bush41 pic.twitter.com/DBLluO68We
— Carlos Curbelo (@carloslcurbelo) December 5, 2018
10:45 AM —
Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter await the state funeral of former Pres. George H.W. Bush. https://t.co/B3hZufXKHW pic.twitter.com/KaBWU98VWV
— ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2018
In the front pew at National Cathedral to honor George H.W. Bush – former President Barack Obama & Mrs. Michelle Obama, Former President Bill Clinton & Secretary Hillary Clinton, Former President Jimmy Carter & Mrs. Rosalynn Carter on this national day of mourning. pic.twitter.com/kqZW4rWSpf
— Vladimir Duthiers (@vladduthiersCBS) December 5, 2018
Friends and family are gathering at Washington National Cathedral under tight security for a funeral service honoring late former President George H.W. Bush, per the Associated Press.
Wednesday’s national funeral service will cap three days of remembrance by dignitaries and ordinary citizens. It will bring together world envoys, the four remaining ex-presidents and President Donald Trump.
After Wednesday’s service, Bush’s remains will be returned to Houston to lie in repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church before burial Thursday at his family plot.
10:39 AM —
Hillary Clinton in attendance at National Cathedral for state funeral of former Pres. George H.W. Bush. https://t.co/B3hZufXKHW pic.twitter.com/dQW2jwis3z
— ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2018
10:38 AM —
A solemn moment as the flag-draped casket of former Pres. George H.W. Bush is carried from the U.S. Capitol ahead of a state funeral for the 41st President of the United States. https://t.co/cKodAkVaYd pic.twitter.com/zhLCZHyLEX
— ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2018
10:34 AM —
A solemn and emotional moment as a military honor guard escorts former Pres. George H.W. Bush’s casket from the U.S. Capitol, watched by his family, congressional leaders, and mourners across the nation. https://t.co/B3hZufXKHW pic.twitter.com/P1LAHRwgNw
— ABC News (@ABC) December 5, 2018
Former President George H.W. Bush’s casket has left the U.S. Capitol for a state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral, per the Associated Press.
Family, friends, congressional leaders and others gathered with military brass on the steps of the Capitol for the send-off Wednesday as cannons echoed a salute and a military band played “Hail to the Chief.”
Bush’s flag-draped coffin was carried to a waiting hearse for the procession to the cathedral. His son former President George W. Bush put his hand over heart at the plaza.
10:18 AM —
Bush family motorcade arriving @uscapitol. #Bush41 pic.twitter.com/4jUJUfADZj
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) December 5, 2018
10:12 AM —
The Honor Cordon is taking its place along the steps of the @uscapitol to honor George HW Bush. @fox5dc @FoxNews @KSBrown12 #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/Gg03kgmi6P
— Melanie Alnwick (@fox5melanie) December 5, 2018
10:07 AM —
People gather at the National Cathedral to celebrate the life, work and civic example of President George H.W. Bush. pic.twitter.com/cWsxoELNtM
— Rep. Greg Walden (@repgregwalden) December 5, 2018
9:45 AM —
A viewing for the 41st president at the hushed Capitol Rotunda closed Wednesday morning. A ceremony at Washington National Cathedral, the nexus of state funerals, will cap three days of remembrance by dignitaries and ordinary citizens as they honored the Republican president who oversaw the post-Cold War transition and led a successful Gulf War, only to lose re-election in a generational shift to Democrat Bill Clinton in 1992.
The four living ex-presidents are coming — among them, George W. Bush will eulogize his father — and President Donald Trump will attend but is not scheduled to speak. Also attending: one king (Jordan), one queen (Jordan), two princes (Britain, Bahrain), Germany’s chancellor and Poland’s president, among representatives of more than a dozen countries.
Also expected in the invitation-only crowd: Mike Lovejoy, a Kennebunkport electrician and fix-it man who has worked at Bush’s Maine summer estate since 1990 and says he was shocked and heartened to be asked to come.
On Tuesday, soldiers, citizens in wheelchairs and long lines of others on foot wound through the Capitol Rotunda to view Bush’s casket and honor a president whose legacy included World War military service and a landmark law affirming the rights of the disabled. Former Sen. Bob Dole, a compatriot in war, peace and political struggle, steadied himself out of his wheelchair and saluted his old friend and one-time rival.
After the national funeral service at the cathedral, Bush’s remains will be returned to Houston to lie in repose at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church before burial Thursday 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 who died in April, and Robin Bush, the daughter they lost to leukemia in 1953 at age 3.
Trump ordered the federal government closed Wednesday for a national day of mourning. Flags on public buildings are flying at half-staff for 30 days.
As at notable moments in his life, Bush brought together Republicans and Democrats in his death, and not only the VIPs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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