George HW Bush funeral speakers: George W Bush gives eulogy for father

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Thursday, December 6, 2018
Pres. George W. Bush delivers eulogy at father's funeral
Pres. George W. Bush delivers eulogy at father's funeral

WASHINGTON -- Former President George W. Bush delivered an emotional eulogy at the state funeral of his father, former President George H.W. Bush.

The elder Bush's final words were in a conversation with his son, the forty-third president. George W. Bush told his father that he had been a "wonderful dad" and that he loved him, and George H.W. Bush told his son that he loved him, too.

The invitation-only funeral service began Wednesday at Washington National Cathedral.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended the service. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, were also in attendance, and former first lady Michelle Obama tweeted that she rescheduled stops on her book tour to attend the service with husband and former President Barack Obama.

Former President Jimmy Carter also attended the state funeral for former President George H.W. Bush.

Prince Charles also attended Bush's funeral at the National Cathedral, as a representative for Queen Elizabeth.

A LIFETIME OF SERVICE: Experience the legacy of President George H.W. Bush

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ORDER OF SERVICE:

  • Organ Prelude, George Fergus (Organist, Washington National Cathedral)
  • Musical Prelude
  • "Nocturne," The United States Marine Orchestra
  • "Lay me Low," The Armed Forces Chorus
  • "Our Town," The United States Marine Orchestra
  • "My Song in the Night," The Armed Forces Chorus
  • "Hymn to the Fallen" & "America the Beautiful," The Armed Forces Chorus and The United States Marine Orchestra
  • Musical Honors
  • "Four Ruffles and Flourishes," "Hail to the Chief," and "For All the Saints," The United States Coast Guard Band
  • The Reception of the Body, The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church and The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop, the Episcopal Diocese of Washington
  • Introit
  • "My house shall be called a house of prayer," The Cathedral Choir
  • The Anthems in Procession, The Reverend Dr. Russell Levenson, Jr., Rector, St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas
  • Hymn
  • "Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven"
  • The Collect for Burial, The Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral
  • The First Reading - Isaiah 60:1-5, 18-20, Mrs. Lauren Bush Lauren & Ms. Ashley Walker Bush
  • Tribute, Mr. Jon Meacham, Presidential Historian and Author
  • Anthem
  • "The King of Love My Shepherd is," The Cathedral Choir
  • The Second Reading - Revelation 21:1-4, 23-25, Mrs. Jenna Bush Hager
  • Tribute, The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Eighteenth Prime Minister of Canada
  • Tribute, The Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former United States Senator, Wyoming
  • Anthem
  • "Last full measure of devotion," Ronan Tynan (soloist) & The Armed Forces Chorus and the United States Marine Orchestra
  • Tribute, The Honorable George W. Bush, Forty-Third President of the United States
  • Anthem
  • "O God, Our Help in Ages Past," The Armed Forces Chorus with the United States Marine Orchestra
  • The Holy Gospel, Matthew 5:14-16, The Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral
  • Homily, The Reverend Dr. Russell Levenson, Jr., Rector, St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas
  • Musical Reflection, "Friends", Michael W. Smith (soloist)
  • The Apostles' Creed
  • The Lord's Prayer, Ronan Tynan (soloist)
  • The Prayers, The Reverend Canon Jan Naylor Cope, Provost, Washington National Cathedral
  • Anthem
  • "Eternal Father, strong to save," The Armed Forces Chorus with The United States Marine Orchestra
  • The Commendation, The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop, the Episcopal Diocese of Washington; The Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington
  • National Cathedral; The Reverend Dr. Russell Levenson, Jr., Rector, Saint Martin's Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas
  • The Blessing, The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church
  • The Dismissal, The Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean, Washington National Cathedral
  • Hymn
  • "For all the saints"
  • Musical Honors, The United States Coast Guard Band
  • "Four Ruffles and Flourishes"
  • "Hail to the Chief"
  • "Holy God, we praise thy Name"
  • Organ Postlude, George Fergus, Organist, Washington National
  • Cathedral
  • Final," from "Symphonie I, Op. 14"

Click here for full coverage of the death of former President George H.W. Bush

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.