George HW Bush funeral: Former president flown to Texas after moving eulogies at National Cathedral
Follow latest updates as mourners arrive to pay tribute to the former president
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.George HW Bush, the 41st president of the United States, is being honoured in a funeral service at Washington National Cathedral today following three days of mourning in which his body lay in state at the Capitol Rotunda.
The Texas Republican, an ex-oil executive who served in the Oval Office between 1988 and 1992 having previously been Ronald Reagan's vice-president and CIA director, oversaw the post-Cold War transition and led a successful Gulf War in Iraq.
The four living ex-presidents - Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Bush's son George W Bush and Barack Obama - are in attendance at the service, with George W Bush giving an emotional eulogy where he called his father "wonderful".
Current President Donald Trump sat in the front row with the Obamas, Clintons and Mr Carter.
Follow live updates below
Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load
The Irish tenor performed at George HW Bush's 80th birthday as well.
“To his very last day’s Dad’s life was instructive,” Mr Bush continued about his father. “He was a genuinely optimistic man, and that optimism guided his children.”
George Bush's eulogy for his father has proved moving, emotional and funny, with jokes about George HW Bush's life and tenure in the public eye.
“He taught us never to be defined by failure. He taught us that setbacks can strengthen,” George Bush continued.
He went on to discuss the early death of his sister, Robin, who died at three-years-old from leukemia.
"To us, his was the brightest of a thousand point of light," George Bush said of his father. "He could tease and needle, but never out of malice.”
He described his father’s love for his mother, Barbara, holding his hand while watching TV shows. When his wife died, Mr Bush said his father longed to hold her hand again.
George Bush choked up with tears at the end of his eulogy for his father, describing him as “the best father a son or daughter could ever have.”
The former president recounted his father’s deep disdain for vegetables, saying “The man couldn’t stomach vegetables, especially broccoli.”
He also recalled how his friend James Baker snuck vodka into his hospital room. “Apparently it paired well with the steak Baker had delivered from Morton’s,” he said.
Reverend Russell Levenson Jr has begun speaking shortly after George Bush, jokingly telling him “You’re a lot like your mother,” noting how she would often say “Good sermon — too long.”
More jokes from George Bush's eulogy for his father at the National Cathedral in Washington:
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments