President George H.W. Bush 1924-2018

President George H.W. Bush 1924 - 2018

I watched him walk down the steps from my State Capitol
surrounded by Secret Service, he stood above them all.
I was struck by his charismatic presence and quiet dignity.
He seemed to light up within the dark circle of suits.

The fall of the USSR and "a thousand points of light", legacies
mostly forgotten now, were the dreams of a humble man.
His diplomacy, far sightedness and empathy shine brighter
now in retrospect, than during his one term presidency.

Our flag lowered, heads of state and historians sing his praises,
war hero, family man, politician, humanitarian, and diplomat.
Thank you for your service, President George H.W. Bush,
understated 41st President of the United States of America.
                                        ~~ Judi Van Gorder

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I certainly had seen him on TV and in news photos and had never thought him to be other than an ordinary looking man. However that brisk morning being surprised by seeing him come down the Capitol steps toward me, I was almost made breathless by his appearance. Very tall, truly towering above those who surrounded him, tan, fit, ruggedly handsome, he really did radiate power and energy. .

He had my support from when he introduced his "thousand points of light" dream, encouraging Americans to volunteer service in whatever they felt passion about. We were on the same page.

He was a man of integrity and quiet strength. One could say he was the exact opposite of our current president. He was humble, self effacing, open to both sides of the political spectrum and open to changing his position when it was in the best interest of the people to do so. He wasn't afraid to say he was wrong or that he made a mistake. He negotiated the fall of the USSR and set up a tough budget from which Clinton would reap reward with a balanced budget and surplus. He successfully negotiated bipartisan legislation, more than any president other the Roosevelt. His humor, sense of service and adventure continued to define him long after he left office. Rest in peace President George Herbert Walker Bush.