Hundreds of citizens lined up near the Capitol to pay their respects, hands on their hearts, as the 41 president entered the Capitol to be honored one last time. After years of suffering from Parkinson’s disease, George H.W. Bush passed away on November 30, 2018. He was a war hero, vice president, president, brother, husband, and according to George W. Bush, “a wonderful father, the best father a son or daughter could have.”

George H.W. Bush served as a World War II aviator after finding out about the attack on Pearl Harbor, becoming the youngest commissioned pilot at the time. He was awarded with the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery after his plane was shot down by the Japanese. After completing his service, he served in the Senate, served two terms as vice president of Reagan, and eventually won the presidential election in 1988. He was famous for how he handled foreign affairs during his presidency, especially when he created a national coalition, driving Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. Even after his presidency, Bush still stayed involved in politics, frequently making public appearances and speaking on his son’s behalf. He also aided Bill Clinton in helping with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina raising over 100 million dollars.

Although Bush was criticized for some of his political decisions, many Americans were touched by his generosity and fun spirit. In his old age, he was still skydiving to raise over one billion dollars in cancer research. He can be described by friends, family, and strangers as a “great man.” His grandchildren explain how he made them feel special by caring for them and playing with them at their summer house in Kennebunkport, Maine. Neighbors of the Bush family say that during the summer, him and his wife had a great presence in the community. In honor of George H.W. Bush, Donald Trump has made December 5 a National Day of Mourning. Olivia Guevara, a senior at Hall High School says, “It was a very sad day for everyone in America.”