Buzz Summer Camp Directory
BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Houston honors President George H.W. Bush

Pooja Salhotra
Click the Buzz Me button to receive email notifications when this writer publishes a new article or a new article in this column is published.
U.S. flag

A U.S. flag carried by military personnel flutters while guests of the Bush family await the arrival of President George H.W. Bush’s hearse. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

More than 200 friends and guests of the Bush family stood on the tarmac of Ellington Airport Monday morning, witnessing a historical moment — Special Air Mission 41. 

This is the designation for the late President George H.W. Bush’s final flight on Air Force One. The president passed away in his home in Houston on Friday, Nov. 30, and a four-day tribute to the president began on Monday morning with a departure ceremony at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston. 

The military ceremony began around 10:40 a.m. when a hearse carrying Bush’s casket arrived at Ellington Airport, escorted by a long line of police motor vehicles. The hearse travelled from a funeral home in Tanglewood and was accompanied by family members and dignitaries. 

Departure ceremony

About 300 friends of the Bush family were invited to a departure ceremony of military honors before Bush’s body was flown to Washington D.C. in Air Force One. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

Once the hearse arrived, a military band played Hail to the Chief, military servicemen fired a 21-gun salute and pallbearers moved the casket from the hearse onto a trailer that lifted it onto the plane. 

Guests and friends of Bush’s family were asked to arrive at Ellington at 8:45 a.m. for a security clearance. Guests then waited in holding rooms until volunteers escorted them onto the tarmac around 9:30 a.m.. Many guests immediately pulled out their cell phones to snap photos of Air Force One. 

“To have Air Force One here is an absolutely fitting tribute to an American who embodied everything that is good about America,” said guest Brian Johnson. “Bush was the quintessential American — rugged and tough as nails but service-oriented.” Johnson, whose family is close to individuals on Bush’s staff, emphasized Bush’s continued public service, from serving as a Navy pilot in World War II to leading the nation as its 41st president. 

Military servicemen

Military servicemen move into position for the departure of Special Air Mission 41. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

Once Bush’s casket was loaded onto the plane, former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush boarded the plane, which took off shortly after 11 a.m.. The plane will arrive at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, and Bush’s remains will be taken to the U.S. Capitol to lie in state in the rotunda. 

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner called this morning’s departure ceremony “solemn and respectful” and noted that the former president has long been a part of the fabric of Houston. 

“He reflected the values of family and civic responsibility, and he championed the city in the very best way possible,” Mayor Turner said. “He will be deeply missed, but we celebrate his life.” 

Benton Walters, Gray Horlock, Johnny Walters, George Walters

Briargrove residents (from left) Benton Walters, Gray Horlock, Johnny Walters, and George Walters (front) snag a front row viewing of Air Force One. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

Monday evening at 7 p.m., Mayor Turner is hosting a public memorial tribute for Bush on Hermann Square in front of City Hall. The event is coordinated with Interfaith Ministries and includes a multi-faith prayer as well as musical entertainment. Representatives from Interfaith Ministries will be collecting “fun socks” for the Meals on Wheels program in honor of the whimsical socks often worn by Bush. 

On Wednesday, a memorial service will be held at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. The former president will then be flown back to Houston and a memorial service will be held for him on Thursday at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. He will then be taken to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library in College Station, where he will be laid to rest. 

  • Guests of the Bush family

    Guests of the Bush family wait in line for a security check prior to the ceremony. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra) 

  • Houston police officers

    Houston police motorcycle officers escorted a hearse carrying Bush’s remains. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

  • Military honor guard

    A military honor guard carried the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush onto Special Air Mission 41. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

  • Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner

    Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner attended the departure ceremony. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

  • Guests of the Bush family
  • Houston police officers
  • Military honor guard
  • Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner

Guests of the Bush family

Guests of the Bush family wait in line for a security check prior to the ceremony. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra) 

Houston police officers

Houston police motorcycle officers escorted a hearse carrying Bush’s remains. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

Military honor guard

A military honor guard carried the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush onto Special Air Mission 41. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner attended the departure ceremony. (Photo: Pooja Salhotra)

To leave a comment, please log in or create an account with The Buzz Magazines, Disqus, Facebook, or Twitter. Or you may post as a guest.