By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Omar Diaz, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs
WASHINGTON - 115 Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) were present for the arrival of the 41st President George H.W. Bush’s flag-draped casket in Maryland ahead of ceremonies this week in the nation’s capital.
Bush was flown to Andrews Air Force Base, near Washington, December 3rd. He was accompanied on the flight by his children, President George W. Bush, Dorothy Bush Koch and Neil Bush.
The patriarch’s son, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, along with friends and family members met the casket on the tarmac.
“We were able to leave behind a contingent of our Sailors to represent the entire 2800 men and women who are serving aboard the ship to meet the president,” said Capt. Sean R. Bailey, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) commanding officer. “The Sailors on the tarmac in their dress blues as the president landed was a great tribute tying the president to the ship that bears his name.”
‘Special Air Mission 41,’ the name given to Air Force One while tasked with transporting the late president, landed to a military ceremony in Maryland. A 21-gun salute, an honor guard, an Air Force band and the Sailors serving aboard his namesake honored the late president as his casket was lowered from the plane and carried by ceremonial guard to the hearse.
Bush died Friday of natural causes at 94.
President George W. Bush thanked GHWB Sailors for attending the ceremony before joining his late father’s motorcade to the U.S. Capitol Building.
Friends and family gathered December 5th, on a day President Donald Trump designated a National Day of Mourning, to pay their respects and eulogize the former president at a memorial service at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.
“Although we talk about his history as a Naval aviator and public servant, many of the tributes that have aired recently truly show the impact he had on the entire world advancing the cause of freedom,” said Bailey. “Serving aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) reminds the crew of the president’s impact, and allows us to carry forward his legacy on the ship that is a living memorial to his decades of service.”
The WWII Naval aviator, former Texas congressman, CIA Director and Vice President was laid to rest at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas, alongside his wife Barbara and daughter Robin.
The burial ended a period of national mourning for President George H.W. Bush, and closed the book on a lifetime of service to his country and others.
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is the tenth and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and was commissioned in 2009. The ship completed its third combat deployment in 2017, and was the first carrier to support Operation Inherent Resolve for a second time.