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Yesterday in Houston
I stopped by the office of an old boss, joining him for lunch. Despite the inevitable infirmities, at 91 he remains entirely himself — warm, interested, gracious, humble, eager to turn the conversation from himself to his guest (in the picture below, he’s looking at a shot of all five Robinson children, and he wouldn’t put it down until he’d heard in detail about each).
As I arrived, I found myself chatting with a young man who had just met the former president. His connection with George H.W. Bush? The young man’s grandfather had been the navigator on the USS Finback, the submarine that rescued the 19-year-old Bush from a rubber raft in the Pacific after he was forced to ditch the plane he was piloting. (Encountering anti-aircraft fire on his approach to Chichijima, Bush’s plane sustained so much damage than an engine burst into flames. Bush completed the bombing run all the same, striking Japanese positions, before heading several miles out to sea, then bailing out. I repeat: he was 19.)
An important figure in the ascent of Texas (he worked in the energy business and played a central role in establishing the Republican Party in a then monolithically Democratic state), Ambassador to the United Nations, representative to China, director of the CIA, chairman of the GOP, Vice President, President, father of six (the second child, Robin, died of leukemia as a little girl), and husband of more than seven decades. A gentleman, a patriot — a magnificent American.
And, in these turbulent, difficult days, an example is worth pondering.
Published in General
Dang it, Peter, how am I supposed to be grumpy and distraught with you posting stuff like this?
A great man who unfortunately was a mediocre president. I’d take him in a heartbeat over our current nominee, however.
He makes you look young, Peter, so you’ve got that going for you, which is nice…
Thank you for this. Let me add that he went skydiving on his 70th birthday, much to the consternation of his wife. I share the view that his Presidency was not stellar, but consider what we have now and what we are likely to get next . . .
Heck of a résumé!
He was the crucial man in managing the dissolution of the USSR. He doesn’t get nearly enough credit for it.
As an Irish history teacher (with no biases or skin in the American game) I think history will be very kind to George H.W. Bush.
On a personal level it speaks volumes that he wanted to know the stories of all your kids Peter – speaks of the man. I’m always loath to take pop culture or the media as a guide to any individual. I hope more stories like this emerge of George H.W. Bush in future.
Thank you for posting this, Peter. I went to the MET and listened to Ricochet podcasts all day to distract myself from the doom of the GOP. This is a nice pick-me-up, too ?
I love 41.
Was the raft or the sub his safe space?
Thank you Peter for posting this. We will look back fondly on the time Americans looked to patriots to serve as president.
Peter,
This nice guy finished first. Thanks for the big lift. Tell Mr. Bush thanks for everything he’s done for us.
Regards,
Jim
I volunteered for the Bush re-election campaign back in ’92 when I was just seventeen years old. It was a blast. To bad we lost and that lowlife Clinton got in.
Gee, I remember when Republican presidents and presidential nominees were accomplished people you could actually admire.
Thanks Peter. He looks spry. You know… he only served one term… maybe…
I voted for him twice. I knew that the “read my lips, no new taxes” pledge would be his undoing. Other than that he was a very good president, and very faithful to his move to the pro-life side of the aisle.
I noticed that too, and it reinforced the impression I’ve always had of him. Peter certainly has had an august life!
(((Well Mr. LaRoche, at we can all rest assured that no other lowlifes will ever get in.)))
This is all YOUR fault!
This put a smile on my family’s face. Thank you for sharing.
Our 41st president Bush visited his namesake ship, USS GEORGE H W BUSH (CVN 77)–the newest nuclear powered aircraft carrier in the Fleet (and therefore the most powerful warship the world has ever seen)–twice while I was part of ship’s company. Underway, no less. Despite obvious physical difficulties, he gamely made his way up and down at least 10 levels of the ship’s ladders (steep metal stairs). He had a broad grin on his face every step of the way, chatting with the greenest Bluejacket as comfortably as with the CO. Obviously a man who embraces life and appreciates every moment of it. Barbara was at his side the entire time. The president and Mrs. Bush addressed the assembled crew, and there were few dry eyes in the crowd. Mock Jeb! if you will, but they are a special American family.
Greatness relies on circumstance, and GHWB admirably rose to confront the monumental challenges of his era: WW 2 and the Cold War. Physical courage, patriotism, a gentle spirit. He is a great man, and we will be lucky to see his like in the White House again.
Bush 41 is a national treasure. TY for sharing your visit in this post.
Me too! History will be kind to him.
Thank you, Peter.
I feel so sorry for people who are experiencing their first election trauma this year. Nothing has been as bad for me as the day I woke up to find out that we had elected a draft dodger and thrown out a World War II veteran.
George H. W. Bush has been and will always be my favorite president.
He has taken good care of the country his World War II buddies left him with.
One of a kind.
Thank you.
His military service alone qualifies him for lifetime membership in the (CoC compliant) Bad Brother Trucker Club. Membership includes a durable but super confusing wallet.
Peter, being polite to that establishment lefty means that you are a RINO Squish, right? (grins, since I am a big GWB defender here)
While I sympathize with the position from which your snark emanates, this isn’t the place.
Thank you for the wonderful post – I think about him and pray for his family every morning ever since 9/11 – they are really the example of grace and dignity. I was not a Republican back when he was in office – his son was my first presidential vote as a Republican, and Laura my favorite First Lady. He raised them right – very glad to hear he is doing ok – loved the pictures.