President Bush, 41, was a gentlemanly president. He had class. I remember his always speaking respectfully of his political opponents, never assigning motives to their views, never name-calling, never belittling others.
He was a good man. He clearly adored his wife of over 7 decades. He was devoted to his family.
He was a true patriot, having served his country valiantly as a naval pilot in World War II, the youngest pilot in the navy at that time. Bush flew 58 combat missions and was shot down. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism under fire.
President Bush had an illustrious career. He was a member of Congress, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA and vice-president under Ronald Reagan. Before politics he worked in the oil industry and became a millionaire by the time he was 40.
President Bush and his wife Barbara had six children. The oldest would also become president, George W. Bush. The Bushes lost their second child, Robin, to leukemia when she was only three years old. That President George H.W. Bush, living with the pain of having lost a child, still went on to accomplish so much with grace, dignity, patience and charm is all the more impressive.
May the good president rest in peace. The country is better off for having had his example of restraint, humility and dignity.
To learn more about the life of President George Herbert Walker Bush, try this link.
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