Dear Editor,
He was a great man of God, father, friend to all in laughter, veteran and president. When George H.W. Bush graduated at the age of 17, he was already thinking about joining the military. On Dec. 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was bombed, he decide to enlist in the Navy. He wanted to be a pilot. Before he was to leave into service, he met the love of his life, Barbara Pierce.
On Sept. 2, 1944, Bush’s plane was shot down. His two crewmen died, but he was picked up by a submarine. He had served for four years and had not once thought about getting out because of the danger to himself. His country meant more to him than that.
After his time ended, he was discharged from active duty. He served 1,000 days, flew 58 missions, made 126 carrier landings and had 1,228 hours of flight time. He received many honors, including the United States Aviator Badge, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal, three Service Stars, World War II Victory Medal and a Selective Service Medal.
He marred Barbara Pierce in January 1945. He would lose his race for Senate in 1964 only to be elected as a Congressman in 1966. He became an American ambassador in 1973 and was the director for the C.I.A. from 1976-77. He served as Vice-President under Ronald Reagan in 1981 and went on to become the President of the United States in 1989.
The two things that really tore at him were sending troops to fight, knowing that many families would be grieving the loss of their loved one killed in action later, and the burning of the American flag. After his term in office, he left incoming president Bill Clinton a letter of encouragement, urging Clinton to not let critics discourage him and stating that, “Your success now is our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you.”
Bush, like all presidents during their time, had someone that they would call upon to help them in times when great decisions needed to be made. Billy Graham was called many times to the White House for prayers. This helps our country to have a little peace and know that Washington, D.C. is not without hope. Keep praying. God bless the Bush family.
Sincerely,
Imogene Naylor
