Swan Among Leaders Attending Bush Funeral
Bermuda’s Sir John Swan will attend the state funeral for George H.W. Bush today [Dec 5], joining current and former American and world leaders in honouring the former president.
CNN reported, “Former President George H.W. Bush will be honored with a state funeral on Wednesday, an official gathering that will include current and former presidents and world leaders to mark the life of the 41st President.
“The White House said both President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend Wednesday’s service at Washington National Cathedral.
Live stream of the state funeral courtesy of the Washington Post:
“In addition to the Trumps and the Bush family, Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath has told CNN that those attending will also include other dignitaries.
“Former presidents and first ladies will include former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama; former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; and former President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter.
“Children of past presidents will include Chelsea Clinton; Susan Ford Bales; Tricia Nixon Cox and Edward Cox; Luci Baines Johnson and Ian Turpin; and Lynda Johnson Robb and Charles Robb.”
“World leaders will include King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan; Australian Governor General Peter Cosgrove and Lynne Cosgrove; Polish President Andrzej Duda; Former Polish President Lech Walesa; German Chancellor Angela Merkel; Charles, Prince of Wales; Former Mexican President Carlos Salinas; Former UK Prime Minister John Major and Norma Major; Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, prince of Bahrain and personal representative of the king of Bahrain; Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda; Former Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; Former Portuguese President Anibal Vaco Silva; Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves; Former Kuwaiti Prime Minister Nasser al-Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah; and Former Premier of Bermuda John Swan.”
Sir John had a decades long friendship with the former U.S. President, and the Bush family invited the island’s elder statesman to attend the invitation only state funeral, which will be held today at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington DC.
Calling him a “man of great integrity,” Sir John Swan told Bernews that he first met President Bush when he was serving as the Vice President, and got to know him over the years.
“He had a commitment to endeavours of all human beings, he was a conservative with a social responsibility, and a man for all seasons and all people,” Sir John said.
Couldnt think of a better person to be representing Bermuda..
My son Rodney Smith Jr . received a personal letter from the former President Bush . Bush’s organization ,A Thousand Points of Light , interviewed him and gave him an award for his charity work in the U.S.A. A question was asked to Rodney , “Can you change the world with a lawn mower ? To which he answered, YES !
Toot your own horn why don’t we? RIP