| Author | Message | ||
     Ourdee |
94 years old. | ||
| Aesquire |
I admired that he kept himself in shape enough quite late in life to still have some fun. And didn't let his fears be his counsel. He was taking a birthday skydive for a few years there. Assisted, tandem, sure. That's not how I learned the sport, but my olde school cred pales besides his, "had to jump out of a burning Avenger torpedo bomber shot down by Japanese anti aircraft guns he was bombing. Then paddle a rubber raft away from the only island in umpteen miles to stay away from the Japanese troops he had just bombed. They were unhappy with him. Then was rescued by a submarine. While under fire." I can't think of a thing I've done to match that, and I've got stories, I do.  Did some good, did some bad, IMHO politically. Led the country in one of the most lopsided wars in history, and bully for that. ( we were vastly outnumbered, they were vastly out led and out trained ) I would have loved to have a long chat about any number of subjects with that man. | ||
| Ratbuell |
 RIP, sir. | ||
| Sifo |
Sad day. | ||
| Zane |
George H. W Bush. Youngest pilot in the US Navy. He flew 58 combat mission. The man had some stones. He served with honor through out his life. | ||
| Ebutch |
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| Court |
I had the great pleasure of serving him doing seating diagrams for Air Force One, motorcade layouts and Advance Team work . . . . He was always nice to everyone he was around. My favorite photo is from the day he was going to send an Air Force plane to collect my Mother to ride on the maiden voyage of VC-25A. She told him she was too busy and would be waiting for him when he arrived. Great photo of Mom standing at the foot of the stairs and him walking down with an ear to ear grin. He, and Barbara, were simply put a class act. A man who was principled, had vision and character. Rare breed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. | ||
| Slaughter |
I'd gotten to know of Sarah Kaufman through her reviews of some of the Washington DC dance performance with which I was involved over the years but this time, she penned a truly gracious tribute to George H W Bush: How George H.W. Bush used handwritten thank-you notes to build bridges | ||
| Sifo |
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| Ducbsa |
Guess who's two-faced? https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/rich-noyes/20 18/12/03/real-history-liberal-media-and-george-h-w -bush | ||
| Blake |
Let's keep it positive like the old war bird would prefer. Total class and solidly principled. Trump sent AF1 to carry his body and casket to DC. I appreciate that. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Not sure if it's for him, or standard practice, but laying in state in the Capitol Building he is apparently on the same stand apparatus that held Lincoln's casket. | ||
| 86129squids |
I agree, Blake. Too bad we couldn't do that for Senator McCain. I made it over to my park next door yesterday to lower the flag to half-staff. BTW Joe, that sweet cartoon you posted was drawn up by a local artist- he did something similar when Barbara passed. Our local news (WBIR) had a piece on him last nite. I try to keep up with the various times that the Stars and Stripes should be up or down in these times- dang if there shouldn't be a way to just push a button in this troubled world we live in. | ||
| Ourdee |
On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, and then raised to the top of the staff.” An easy way to remember when to fly a flag at half-staff is think of when the entire nation is mourning or remembrance. FLYING THE FLAG AT HALF-STAFF: The pertinent section of the Flag Code says, "by order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possesion, as a mark of respect to their memory. Federal law includes a Congressional request that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15), unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. Presidential proclamations also call for the flag to be flown at half-staff on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7), and Patriot Day (September 11). Days to fly the American Flag at Half Staff: May 15th Peace Officers Memorial Day (half staff all day) Last Monday in May Memorial Day (half-staff until noon) September 11th Patriot Day (half staff all day) December 7th Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half staff all day) The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.. Brad, That should be most of it. | ||
| 86129squids |
RD, thanks for that. I generally watch all the other flags between here and Knoxvegas to determine when I should adjust things. I'm very grateful for my life, now and just seconds, minutes, days, and years ago- but I'll always wonder what I could've done, had I been military grade. With the loss of George H. W. Bush, I'm reminded what true greatness was, is and should be. Rest in peace, Sir. | ||
| Ourdee |
George H.W. Bush placed the bar pretty high. You know a great man has passed when it causes you to question what more you could have done. but I'll always wonder what I could've done, had I been military grade Don't spend time pondering the water that has traveled down the river. Be what you can. You are kind to those around you. We all have some flaw or another. But, as long as you are trying to help others and not being mean....Feed your dogs, love your wife, show respect. People make it harder than it needs to be. For me respect is putting God first. Like I said, the rest is easy. | ||
| Zac4mac |
From the VA's website www.va.gov - In the early days of our country, no regulations existed for flying the flag at half-staff and, as a result, there were many conflicting policies. But on March 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower issued a proclamation on the proper times. The flag should fly at half-staff for 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president. It is to fly 10 days at half-staff after the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, or the speaker of the House of Representatives. For an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former vice president, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, or the minority leader of the House of Representatives the flag is to be displayed at half-staff from the day of death until interment. The flag is to be flown at half-staff at all federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels in the Washington, D.C., area on the day and day after the death of a United States senator, representative, territorial delegate, or the resident commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It should also be flown at half-staff on all federal facilities in the state, congressional district, territory, or commonwealth of these officials. Upon the death of the governor of a state, territory or possession, the flag should be flown at half-staff on all federal facilities in that governor’s state, territory or possession from the day of death until interment. The president may order the flag to be flown at half-staff to mark the death of other officials, former officials, or foreign dignitaries. In addition to these occasions, the president may order half-staff display of the flag after other tragic events. <edit> I have been called a "flag nazi" more than a few times.  (Message edited by zac4mac on December 04, 2018) | ||
| Blake |
Watching a tribute yesterday evening, I learned G.H.W. and Barbara had six children including one young daughter who passed. That explained the cartoon of them in Heaven. Vice President Mike Pence face an excellent eulogy yesterday. Worth watching if you can find it on YouTube. Am looking forward to hearing what G.W. has to say later today. | ||
| Sifo |
Class that we have not seen in a very long time...  |
