I spent a lot of time this week watching the memorials and funeral of George HW Bush. It was all very touching and sad & also a part of our history now. Here's a recap for anyone interested, or for anyone wanting to watch the great eulogies given. GWB's was fantastic, and Alan Simpson was funny as hell, but also touching.

GHWB lied in state at the nation's capitol, then off to Washington National Cathedral, then off to Andrews Air Force base, onto Air Force One, flown to Texas for a smaller memorial. Then taken via Union Pacific train to Texas A&M University where is library is at. His train car was open glass view for the casket on both sides. The engine was "4141" and took a 70 mile slow ride.and laid to rest alongside Barbara and young daughter, Robin.

I learned a lot about GHWB this week, more than I knew about him personally all these years. I never even knew that Jim Baker was his friend of 60 years. I never knew his friend Alan Simpson, former senator. Never heard the majority of the stories about what a loving and caring man he was away from the office, in addition to in office. I knew his story of WWII but learned more. His entire story of 73 years of marriage to Barbara Bush. Losing a daughter, Robin, back in 1953.

I've long admired Bush 41 but have much much more after this week. He'll me missed by a nation.

Bob Dole struggles to stand to SALUTE GHWB 41

Bob Dole was also a war hero and ran for president but lost. He lead our senate for 11 years, was in office since 1960. But was great friends with GHWB. This man was also in WWII and was awarded the purple heart and bronze star. I believe he is 95 now?

His ailments: In 2001, Dole, at age 77, was treated successfully for an abdominal aortic aneurysm by vascular surgeon Kenneth Ouriel. Hip replacement. Dole was bleeding inside his head. Dole spent 40 days at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and upon release, his stronger arm, the left, was of limited use. Dole told a reporter that he needed help to handle the simplest of tasks, since both of his arms are injured. He undergoes occupational therapy for his left shoulder once a week, but doctors have told him that he might not regain total use of his left arm. In 2009, Dole was hospitalized for an elevated heart rate and sore legs for which he underwent a successful skin-graft procedure. In February 2010, Dole was hospitalized for pneumonia after undergoing knee surgery. He spent ten months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, recovering from the surgery, and experienced three bouts with pneumonia. He was released from the hospital in November 2010. In January 2011, however, Dole was readmitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and spent about six days there, being treated for a fever as well as a minor infection.

And athletes want to kneel over our anthem - this man and all of his ailments, struggles with help so he can STAND and salute GHWB one last time.



Donald Trump Salutes GHWB in rotunda



Some famous attendees - Britain’s Prince Charles, the King and Queen of Jordan, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Angela Merkel, Peter Cosgrove, Governor General of Australia and his wife, Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Prince of Bahrain, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Former Emir of Qatar, Lech Walesa, former President of Poland, Sir John Major, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Yasuo Fukuda, former Prime Minister of Japan, Carlos Salinas, former President of Mexico, ---- and then a long list of sports, music, politicians & folks who he touched from around the world.

In the first aisle at the Cathedral sat former President Carter and his wife, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barack and Michelle Obama and then sat down last was Donald Trump. Trump and Melania shook hands with the Obama's and that was it. The Clinton's and Carter's stared straight ahead, not wanting to interact all with one another. But they were all there, and that's what was important for this moment.

Historian, Jon Meacham eulogy



Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney eulogy



Alan Simpson eulogy



George W. Bush eulogy



21 gun salute outside Capitol



21 gun salute Texas



James Baker eulogy Texas



Bush 4141 open window one soldier train ride to texas A&M.






This is the engine, which was made for Bush years back, and now used for his one last ride:



21 F-18 Flyover, and just when you thought it was done, at the 1:00 mark in comes the missing man formation



Just missing man



Whole flyover again, missing man at around 1:20



The left front side of McLaughlin's two-seater jet reads "President George H.W. Bush" and "41." The words "Barbara First Lady" -- after Bush's late wife Barbara Bush -- are just outside the second seat where the weapons officer would sit.

Lead plane