At former president George H.W. Bush’s funeral service on Wednesday afternoon, his son, former president George W. Bush, choked back tears while eulogizing his father.
At the service, which took place at the Washington National Cathedral, the 43rd president said the late president was “the best father a son or daughter could have,” and that he demonstrated “what it means to be a president who serves with integrity, leads with courage and acts with love in his heart for the citizens of our country.”
“When the history books are written, they will say that George H.W. Bush was a great president of the United States,” he said of his father, who passed away on Friday at 94 years old. “A diplomat of unmatched skill. A commander in chief of formidable accomplishment, and a gentleman who executed the duties of his office with dignity and honor.”
“He married his sweetheart,” the 43rd president said. “He adored her. He laughed and cried with her. He was dedicated to her totally. In his old age, dad enjoyed watching police show reruns. The volume on high. All the while holding mom’s hand. After mom died, dad was strong, but all he really wanted to do was hold mom’s hand again.”
“So through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man,” he concluded. “The best father a son or daughter could have. And in our grief, let us smile knowing that dad is hugging Robin and holding mom’s hand again.”
Robin is George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush’s daughter, who died of leukemia at three years old.
