as were so many of the points that barbara pierce bush made in her long inconsequential life. consequential life. no one as the enforcer, she was candid and comforting, steadfast and straightforward, honest and loving. barbara bush was the first lady of the greatest generation. as the fiance and then wife of a aviator, ii naval she waited and prayed in the watches of the night. during the war, she worked in a bolt's factory in new york and she joined george h. w. bush and the great adventure of texas. in 1948, 70essa summers ago. mother would send boxes of soap and detergent to her daughter on the grounds that they probably did not have that kind of thing in west texas. [laughter] es. bush raise the family, daughter, loss of a and kept everything and everyone together. and as the wife of one president and the mother of another, she holds the distinction that belongs to only one other american in the long history of the republic. abigail adams, who was present at the republic. governed in a spirit of congeniality, civility, and grace. instinctively generous. service to others ab

in this work, he had the most wonderful of allies in barbara pierce bush, his wife of 73 years. ara, the silver fox, and when the central ,ussia -- situation warranted the enforcer. he was the only boy you ever kissed. her children, mrs. bush like to say, always wanted to throw up when they heard that. in a letter to barbara during the war, young george h.w. bush had written "i love you, precious, with all my heart, and to know that you loved me means my life. how lucky our children will be , andve a mother like you as they will tell you, they surely were. as vice president, bush once visited a children's leukemia ward in krakow. 35 years before, he and barbara had lost a daughter, robin, to the disease. in krakow, a small boy wanted to greet the american vice president. learning that the child was sick that had taken robin, bush began to cry. to his diary later that day, the vice president said this. "my eyes flooded with tears. and behind me was a bank of television cameras, and i around.i cannot turn i cannot dissolve because of personal tragedy in the face of the nurses that

there were no safe spaces or micro aggressions allowed with barbara pierce bush. [laughter] gov. bush: but in the end, every grandchild knew their ganny loved them. we learned a lot more from our mom and our ganny. we learned not to take ourselves too seriously. we learned that humor is a joy that should be shared. some of my greatest memories are participating in our family dinners when mom would get into it, most of the time with george w., and have us all laughing to tears. we learned to be authentic by the best role model in the world. her authentic plastic pearls, her not coloring her hair. by the way, she was beautiful until the day she died. her hugging of an hiv/aids patient at a time her own mother would not do it. her standing by her man with a little rhyming poetry in the 1984 election. in a thousand other ways barbara pierce bush was real, and that is why people admired and loved her so. finally, our family had a front row seat for the most amazing love story. through a multitude of moves, from new haven, odessa, ventura to bakersfield, to compton, to midland, to houst

in this work, he had the most wonderful of allies in barbara pierce bush, his wife of 73 years. he silver fox, and when the situation warranted, the enforcer. he was the only boy she ever kissed. her children, mrs. bush liked to say, always wanted to throw up when they heard that. [ laughter ] >> in a letter to barbara during the war, young george h. w. bush had written i love you, precious , with all of my heart . to know that you love me means my life. how lucky our children will be to have a mother like you. as they will tell you, they surely were. as vice president, bush once visited a children's leukemia award -- ward. a small boy wanted to grieve the american -- greet the american vice president. learning that the child was sick with a cancer, bush began to cry. through his diary later that day, the vice president said this, my eyes flooded with tears, and behind me was a bank of television cameras. i thought, i can't turn around. i can't dissolve because of personal tragedy in the face of the nurses they give of themselves every day, so i stood there looking at this little

this this work, he had the most wonderful of allies in barbara pierce bush, his wife of 73 years. her barb, the silver fox, and when the situation warranted, the enforcer. he was the only boy she ever kissed. her children, mrs. bush liked to say, always wanted to throw up when they heard that. in a letter to barbara during the war, young george h.w. bush had written i love you precious with all my heart, and to know that you love me means my life. how lucky our children will be to have a mother like you. and as they will tell you, they surely were. as vice president, bush once visited a children's leukemia ward in krakow. 35 years before he and barbara had lost a daughter robin to the disease. in krakow, a small boy wanted to greet the american vice president, learning that the child was sick with the cancer that had taken robin, bush began to cry. to his diary later that day, the vice president said this, my eyes flooded with tears, and behind me was a bank of television cameras, and i thought i can't turn around. i can't dissolve because of personal tragedy in the face of the nur

bush without talking about barbara pierce bush. they were a partnership. and what an example. for all of us. 73 years together. a true people. they put family first always. that has been a great lesson to my wife jane and me and our family to watch how they navigated this crazy political world we're in, and yet kept their family strong and together, and to this day, you saw the family yesterday, every one of those children and grandchildren and now great grandchildren coming, loves and respects their grandparents, great grandparents. that unconditional support and love that george and barbara bush had for one another in a very equal relationship. barbara bush was feisty and opinionated, and george bush respected that and respected and loved her. but those relationships between family is what gave him so much strength, in my view, as much as anything. for him, it was always about family as the foundation. he was also a man of deep faith. he didn't wear it on his sleeve. but he believes. he believed that he was going to rejoin barbara, and to him, that was a blessing. he also be

he had the most wonderful of he had the most wonderful of allies in barbara pierce bush, his wife ofars. he called her barb, this over fox, and the enforcer, when the situation warranted. he was the only boy she ever kissed. her children, she liked to say, always wanted to throw up when they heard that. [laughter] >> in a letter to barbara during the war, young george h.w. bush had written, "i love you precious with all my heart, and to know that you love me means my life. how lucky our children will be to have a mother like you." and as they will tell you, they surely were. bush onceesident, visited a children's leukemia kow, 35 years before he and barbara had lost a daughter, robin, to the disease. in krakow, a small boy wanted to greet the american vice president. learning that the child was sick with the cancer that had taken robin, bush began to cry. theis diary later that day, vice president said this -- "my eyes flooded with tears, and behind me was a bank of television cameras. and i thought, 'i cannot turn around, i can't dissolve because of personal tragedy in the face of t

. >> reporter: what did barbara pierce bush think about that? >> i don't know. i frankly wasn't old enough to know. >> reporter: when i talked to your mom last time, she said that he never says no to her. >> well, that's why they stayed married for 70 years. it's a true love story. his mother said it's the only man i ever kissed. >> reporter: in 1953, the bushes lost their second child, robin, to leukemia when she was only 3 years old. but the family continued to grow. george w. joined by jeb, neal, marvin and finally doro settled in houston in 1959. it was there james baker became almost like a member of the family. mr. baker lost his first wife tt join his campaign for the senate in 1964. as a way to help him cope with his grief. >> george bush, republican president for the united states senate. >> reporter: george bush's father, prescott bush, was a senator from connecticut until 1963. >> impress cot bush, republican candidate for the united states senate. >> reporter: and approved of his son's decision to join the family business. >> he had pretty much in hi

>> yes, i am. >> barbara pierce bush died on april 17th, 2018.ways, george bush was at her side. and when mourners came to pay their respects, he returned the favor, greeting them from his wheelchair thanking them as they filed past her casket. surrounded by family, he attended her funeral, holding up and staying strong despite his failing health. george and barbara bush were together for 73 years. the longest marriage in american presidential history. she was indispensable to her husband's success. >> i've always felt i was the world's luckiest woman. nobody ever had a greater more precious family. nobody ever had a better husband. >> i think george bush and i are as good friends as close, as any two people i know. you know, we were married at 19 and 20 and we really sort of see the world through the same eyes. >> she was the mother that went to the little league gales, raised the kids, bawled them out. >> i chose to bring up my children. i mean, i had that choice and i know it was a luxury. >> both george and barbara bush campaign hard during t

and we shared the bathroom with them. >> o'donnell: what did barbara pierce bush think about that? h: yeah, i don't know. ( laughs ) but i'm-- i thankfully was not old enough to know. >> o'donnell: when i talked to your mom last time, she said that he never says, "no," to her. >> george w. bush: well that's why they stayed married for 70 years. it's a true love story. as mother said, "it's the only man i ever kissed." >> o'donnell: in 1953, the bushes lost their second child, robin, to leukemia when she was only three years old. but the family continued to grow. george w., joined by jeb, neil, marvin, and finally doro, settled in houston in 1959. it was there james baker became almost like a member of the family. after baker lost his first wife to cancer, george bush asked him to join his campaign for the senate in 1964, as a way to help him cope with his grief. george bush's father, prescott bush, was a senator from connecticut until 1963. and approved of his son's decision to join the family business. >> baker: it was pretty much in his blood. >> george h.w. bush: i had inculcated

than two months ago despite battling ill health, he attended the wedding of his granddaughter barbara pierce bush to craig coyne at the bush family's estate in kennebunkport, maine. he was beaming that day seeing her walk down the aisle. barbara says she wanted a small wedding with just her family and was overjoyed that her grandfather was there on that very special day. >> such a great photograph and we've seen over the years he had a number of health scares but then kept fighting back, and then he would make -- he made an appearance here and the next thing you know, he's jumping out of an airplane. >> i remember that birthday, 90th birthday. i thought how courageous and how resilient of him. to go out there and do what he loved. >> and the smile on his face as he was jumping out. >> cokie roberts said in an email to me earlier today that the president -- the former president was talking about jumping out of an airplane when he turned 95. sadly that did not come to pass but it is a sign of his bravery which he demonstrated throughout his career. adrienne, thank you for that. i want to say we do

>> yes, i am. >> barbara pierce bush died on april 17th, 2018.ways, george bush was at her side. and when mourners came to pay their respects, he returned the favor, greeting them from his wheelchair thanking them as they filed past her casket. surrounded by family, he attended her funeral, holding up and staying strong despite his failing health. george and barbara bush were together for 73 years. the longest marriage in american presidential history. she was indispensable to her husband's success. >> i've always felt i was the world's luckiest woman. nobody ever had a greater more precious family. nobody ever had a better husband. >> i think george bush and i are as good friends as close, as any two people i know. you know, we were married at 19 and 20 and we really sort of see the world through the same eyes. >> she was the mother that went to the little league games, raised the kids, bawled them out. >> i chose to bring up my children. i mean, i had that choice and i know it was a luxury. >> both george and barbara bush campaign hard during t

>> yes, i am. >> barbara pierce bush died on april 17th, 2018. bush was at her side. and when mourners came to pay their respects he returned the favor, greeting them from his wheelchair, thanking them as they filed past her casket. surrounded by family, he attended her funeral, holding up and staying strong despite his failing health. george and barbara bush were together for 73 years. the longest marriage in american presidential history, she was indispensable to her husband's success. >> i've always felt i was the world's luckiest woman. nobody ever had a greater, more precious family. nobody ever had a better husband. >> i think george bush and i are as good friends as close as any two people i know. you know, we were married at 19 and 20, and we really see the world through the same eyes. >> she was the mother that went to the little league games, raised the kids, bawled them out. >> i chose to bring up my children. i mean, i had that choice. and i know it was a luxury. >> both george and barbara bush campaign hard during the week. >> i was

. >> bret: with the end of the war inside, bush set his sights on barbara pierce. the two but in 1945, while bush was still in the navy. they would have six children, including our 43rd president, george w. bush. and popular florida governor, jeb. bush left the navy and graduated from yale before he and barbara moved to texas to find his dreams on an oil field. by the age of 30, he was cofounder and president of the pot off chores, which pioneered experimental drilling equipment. just like his father, he was attracted to public service and politics. after losing his first political race for a senate seat in 1964, he was elected to the house of representatives two years later. serving two terms. encouraged by richard nixon to run again for the senate in 1970, he was defeated a second time. he moved onto high government positions. in 1971, richard nixon appointed him ambassador to the united nations. in 1973, he became chairman of the republican national committee, at the height of the watergate scandal. in that role, bush urged nixon to resign for the good of the par

in this work he had the most wonderful of allies in barbara pe pierce bush of 73 years.b, the silver d forks,hen the situation warranted, the enforcer. he was the only boy she ever kissed. her children, mrs. bush liked to say, always wanted to throw up when they heard that. in a letter to barbara during the war, young george bush h written i love you precious with all my heart. and to know that you love me means my life. how lucky our children will be h to have a like you. and as they will tell you, they surely were.id as vice prt, bush once visited a children's leukemia wa ward, 35 years before they had lost a daughter robin to the disease. a small boy wanted to meet the american vice president. learng that the child was si with the cancer that had taken robin, bush began to cry. to h diary later that day, t vice president said this, my eyes flooded with tears. and behind me was a bank of 'tlevision cameras. and i thought, i curn around, i can't dissolve because of persol tragedy in the face of the nurses that give of kiemselves every day. so i stood there l at this lit

in this work he had the most wonderful of allies and barbara pierce bush his wife of seventy three years he called her bar the silver fox and when the situation warranted the enforcer. he was the only boy she ever kissed her children mrs bush liked to say always wanted to throw up when they heard that. in a letter to barbara during the war young george h.w. bush had written i love you precious with all my heart and to know that you love me means my life how lucky our children will be to have a mother like you. and as they will tell you they surely work. as vice president bush once visited a children's leukemia ward in krakow for thirty five years before he and barbara had lost a daughter robin to the disease in krakow a small boy wanted to greet the american vice president learning that the child was sick with the cancer that had taken robin bush began to cry. to his diary later that day the vice president said this my eyes flooded with tears and behind me was a bank of television cameras. and i thought i can't turn around i can't dissolve because of personal tragedy in the face of the n

bush's diary, barbara pierce bush's diary he had writes about the kennedy funeral in 1964 and rfk's funeral in 1968 and reflecting on just the issue you raised about how painful it is for mrs. kennedy, for jacqueline kennedy and then for ethel kennedy for the children and now glaring and upsetting that must be. interestingly, the bushes are shaped by a tension between two forces. one is absolute dignity. and the other is absolute tear duct activity. it's incredible. president bush would cry if there was a heavy dew or if he lost a golf ball. he was an incredibly emotional man. all of the kids -- kids. all of the children are like this. president bush used to call it the bawl club, b-a-w-l. so i think there's going to be a lot of that. one of the things that strikes me most is while there was a great difference between the public persona at least in his political career for president bush and his private self, one of the reasons i wanted to write about him is i found him to be such a quietly persistent -- persistently charismatic figure. and then he had not been seen that way back in the dan

i think he stayed alive this summer, he attended the wedding of his granddaughter, barbara pierce bush feeling that if he was needed, he would stick around. i think jim baker giving him permission to go to heaven was something. >> your point about the generation of grandchildren, it is the same in the johnson presidential family. this wave of impressive young people with presidential pedigrees. >> oh, yeah. >> and names. it's great to see. >> and 41 and barbara bush were cool. i mean, they were hip. they could talk to them about music, about film, about the arts, about dance, about culture. i mean, they were so involved in their lives. >> we're watching the arrivals, i just saw long island republican congressman peter king outside the national cathedral. this is a familiar sight for people who watch coverage of things like inaugurations and parades in washington. the traffic has been stopped. a federal holiday today. traffic is generally very light in the capital city. i think that's al gore at the center of the screen. we watched him come in earlier. relatively short drive, especially

in this work he had the most wonderful of allies in barbara pierce bush, his wife of 73 years. kissed. her children, mrs. bush liked to say, always wanted to throw up when they heard that. in a letter to barbara during the war, young george herbert walker bush had written, i love you precious with all my heart and to know that you loved me means my life. how lucky our children will be to have a mother like you. and as they will tell you, they surely were. as vice president, bush once visited a children's leukemia ward, 35 years ago before he and barbara had lost a daughter robin to the disease. a small boy wanted to greet the american vice president. learning that the child was sick with the cancer that had taken robin, bush began to cry. to his diary later that day, the vice president said this, my eyes flooded with tears. and behind me was a bank of television cameras. and i thought, i can't turn around. i can't dissolve because of personal tragedy in the face of the nurses that give of themselves every day. so, i stood there looking at this little guy. tears running down my c

his father, prescott bush was a successful investment banker. to his sweet heart, barbara pierce. they married in 1945. he enrolled in yale, his father's alma mater. in 1946, with the birth of george w., he became a father, himself. bush was a standout at yale, captain of the baseball team, graduating in 1948. but he left his new england roots and with family help got into the oil business in texas. >> hello, everybody. i'm prescott bush, republican candidate for the united states senate. >> in 1950, prescott bush got into what would become the family business. politics, running for the senate from connecticut. in this early campaign ad, the emphasis was on family. >> i hope all of you have as much fun and happiness in your family life as we do. >> my father was totally honest, totally committed to service per se and that inspired me, not just there, but in his whole life. >> prescott bush lost in 1950 but one a senate seat two years later as reported on election night by nbc news' richard hartness. >> prescott bush, mr. bush is a new york investment banker. he's a partner of able

george bush and barbara pierce met at a christmas party in 1941. he described her to his mother as the nistiest girl at the dance. weeks after he returned from the war, they were married. i've climbed perhaps the highest mountain in the world, he would write much later but even that cannot hand hold a candle to being barbara's husband. they had six children. their marriage weathered the challenges of the spotlight. in every chapter, george bush served as comforter and counselor. he cared for loved ones with a dedication that never ceased to amaze them. so much for the myth of the stamped episcopalian new englander. george bush was so stoic. he developed his own teary-eyed reputation as the founding member of what the bush family calls the ball brigade -- that would bawl. he was considered, people thetic, and kind. and the bushes passed on these values to their children. they nurtured a family of leaders whose contributions have enriched this country even more. few men so powerful would have even thought to call for a kinder, gentler nation. even fe

en este trabajo Él tuvo la mejor aliada en bÁrbara pierce bush, su esposa de 73 aÑos, la llamaba barbh.w. bush, un hombre con un corazÓn de oro. asÍ que al encomendar su alma al seÑor y como lo hizo, decimos ¿por quÉ el? ¿por quÉ el? la providencia actÚa de manera misteriosa pero esto es claro, george h.w. bush quien sobreviviÓ cuando lo derribaron sobre el pacÍfico hace tres cuartos de siglo hizo nuestras vidas y las vidas de las naciones mÁs libres, mas nobles y mÁs calidas. esa era su misiÓn. eso es lo que latÍa en su corazÓn y si escuchamos con cuidado aÚn hoy podemos escuchar ese latido, el latido de un leÓn, de un leon que no solo nos guiÓ, sino que nos amÓ. esa es la respuesta. por eso sobreviviÓ (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (cÁntico) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪) (♪ ♪)

. >> bret: with the end of the war inside, bush set his sights on barbara pierce. the two but in 1945, while bush was still in the navy. they would have six children, including our 43rd president, george w. bush. and popular florida governor, jeb. bush left the navy and graduated from yale before he and barbara moved to texas to find his dreams on an oil field. by the age of 30, he was cofounder and president of the pot off chores, which pioneered experimental drilling equipment. just like his father, he was attracted to public service and politics. after losing his first political race for a senate seat in 1964, he was elected to the house of representatives two years later. serving two terms. encouraged by richard nixon to run again for the senate in 1970, he was defeated a second time. he moved onto high government positions. in 1971, richard nixon appointed him ambassador to the united nations. in 1973, he became chairman of the republican national committee, at the height of the watergate scandal. in that role, bush urged nixon to resign for the good of the par

bush without talking about barbara pierce bush. they were a partnership. and what an example. for all of us. 73 years together. a true people. they put family first always. that has been a great lesson to my wife jane and me and our family to watch how they navigated this crazy political world we're in, and yet kept their family strong and together, and to this day, you saw the family yesterday, every one of those children and grandchildren and now great grandchildren coming, loves and respects their grandparents, great grandparents. that unconditional support and love that george and barbara bush had for one another in a very equal relationship. barbara bush was feisty and opinionated, and george bush respected that and respected and loved her. but those relationships between family is what gave him so much strength, in my view, as much as anything. for him, it was always about family as the foundation. he was also a man of deep faith. he didn't wear it on his sleeve. but he believes. he believed that he was going to rejoin barbara, and to him, that was a blessing. he also be

following the war, bush married barbara pierce, entered yale university and after graduating moved his young family to texas where he was elected to the house of representatives but lost two bids to be u.s. senator. he did, however, succeed in several high level appointments including director of the cia. >> we want bush! >> reporter: following the failed effort at the republican nomination in 1980, he was named ronald reagan's running mate and in 1988 bush won the presidency but a faltering economy shook american faith in bush that led to losing re-election in 1992 to bill clinton. bush then headed back to houston devoting time to his presidential library and staying active, even parachuting from an airplane on his birthdays. he saw two sons become governors and he looked on as george w. became the 43rd president. they raised humanitarian aids for victims of the tsunami in 2004 and in 2005 for hurricane katrina. in 2010, president obama honored bush with the presidential medal of freedom for a life of service to his country that by that time spanned nearly seven decades. but the forme

bush met barbara pierce and the grace and virtue they taught their children have enriched this nation through a family of leaders. today the nation stands with that family with our 43rd president, with general, neil, marvin and all the bush grant children and great grandchildren. we stand with you in mourn inging but also in congratulate -- gratitude gratitude, gratitude for lives well lived and duties thoroughly fulfilled. gratitude that god gave this country george and barbara bush and that they may now be reunited in the light of his grace. >> as americans, we have no more solemn duty than laying a great patriot to rest. here lies a great man. to the bush family, on behalf of the whole house, republicans and democrats, we are profoundly sorry for your loss and we are honored to celebrate this wonderful life with you. like so many i feel a personal debt of gratitude today a sentiment no doubt countless millions of americans are feeling at this moment. the 1988 campaign was the first one i was ever involved in. we had enough listen at the ballgames and fair. i remember going to this

george bush and barbara pierce met at a christmas party in 1941. he described her to his mother as the nistiest girl at the dance. weeks after he returned from the war, they were married. i've climbed perhaps the highest mountain in the world, he would write much later but even that cannot hand hold a candle to being barbara's husband. they had six children. their marriage weathered the challenges of the spotlight. in every chapter, george bush served as comforter and counselor. he cared for loved ones with a dedication that never ceased to amaze them. so much for the myth of the stamped episcopalian new englander. george bush was so stoic. he developed his own teary-eyed reputation as the founding member of what the bush family calls the ball brigade -- that would bawl. he was considered, people thetic, and kind. and the bushes passed on these values to their children. they nurtured a family of leaders whose contributions have enriched this country even more. few men so powerful would have even thought to call for a kinder, gentler nation. even fe

in this work he had the most wonderful of allies in barbara pee pierce bush of 73 years.ion warranted, the enforcer. he was the only boy she ever kissed. her children, mrs. bush liked to say, always wanted to throw up when they heard that. in a letter to barbara during the war, young george bush had written i love you precious with all my heart. and to know that you love me means my life. how lucky our children will be to have a mother like you. and as they will tell you, they surely were. as vice president, bush once visited a children's leukemia wa ward, 35 years before they had lost a daughter robin to the disease. a small boy wanted to meet the american vice president. learning that the child was sick with the cancer that had taken robin, bush began to cry. to his diary later that day, the vice president said this, my eyes flooded with tears. and behind me was a bank of television cameras. and i thought, i can't turn around, i can't dissolve because of personal tragedy in the face of the nurses that give of themselves every day. so i stood there looking at this little

bush without a barbara pierce bush?at was a question i've asked more than a hundred people i interviewed for this book because i think it's such an interesting question. i tell you where i come down. i think they were indispensable partners. they each made the other bigger and better. in some ways such a perfect match. they had different strengths. they had different shortcomings. and the sharper edge that barbara bush had was sometimes used for longer political memory for slights and sometimes helpful to george bush. george bush's softer side was also sometimes, i think, helpful to barbara bush. sign that way, a marriage of 73 years through what extraordinary circumstances, through such great triumphs, and tragedies. they were fortunate to have met one another at that high school christmas dance in greenwich, connecticut. >> so, susan, i want to talk about loss being defining moments for this couple, even for the presidency but for this couple especially. i'll read from your piece and i know i'll have trouble getting t

a great love story began at that christmas dance when george bush met barbara pierce, and with gracey have in reached this nation through a family of leaders. today the nation stands with that family, with our 43rd president, with jeb, marvin, neil, doro, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. we stand with you in mourning but also in gratitude. gratitude, that god gave this country george and barbara bush, and that they may now be reunited in the light of his grace. >> as americans, we have no more solemn duty than laying a great patriot to rest. here lies a great man. to the bush family, on behalf of the whole house, republicans and democrats, we are profoundly sorry for your loss, and we are honored to celebrate this wonderful life with you. like so many, i feel a personal debt of gratitude, a sentiment millions of americans are feeling at this moment. the 1988 campaign was the first i was involved in. we had literature at the ballgames and the 4-h fair. i remember going to a big rally at miami of ohio the day after the first debate. the experience drew me into politics. he wa

the great love story began at that christmas dance when george bush met barbara pierce. d, the grayson virtue they tell their children -- grace and virtue he taught their children has embraced this nation of leaders. with jeb, neil, marvin, and all the bush grandchildren and great grandchildren. we stand with you and morning -- in mourning but also in gratitude for lives well lived and duties thoroughly fulfilled. god is thisat country, george and barbara bush, and that they may now be very united in the light of his grace. >> as americans, we have no more solemn duty then laying a great patriot to rest. laying a great patriot to rest. here lies a great man. to the bush family, on behalf of the whole house, republicans and democrats, we are profoundly sorry for your loss, and we are honored to celebrate this wonderful life with you. like so many, i feel a personal debt of gratitude today, a sentiment no doubt countless millions of americans are feeling at this moment. in 1988 campaign was the first when i was ever involved in. we headed out -- handed out literature at bal

barbara. she died earlier this year at 9 92. lester holt lookst their lifetime of love. >>> they met at a christmas dance. george bush then 17. barbara piercet 16. >> i could hardly breathe, i thought he was so autiful. that winter night in 1941, the beginning of a remarkable love story. >> she's unbelievable and very strong, very strong pers . anyet, very loving. >> the young couple was soon separated by world war ii. so they beganriting love letters. >> i love you, precious, with all mhe t, and to know that you lov me means my life. >> for the next seven decades they never stopped. >> little did i know i was only trying to keep up, keep up with barbara pierce. i love you. >> i love you too. >> togethe they raised a family. navigated the campaign trail. and the white house. >> imb c the highest mountain in the world, but even that could not hold a candle to being barbara's husband. >> one of the reaso i made the most important decision of my life to mary george busbe is cause he made me laugh. >> never missing an opportunity to rib each other. here mrs. bush admitting her husband was t only man she ever kissed. >> strange, i admit. >> stil

no doubt which he all.ed most of a great love story began at that christmas pastrg when g bush met barbara piercend the grace andirtue they taught their children have enriched this t natiough a family of leaders. today, the nation stands with that family, with our 43rd president, with jeb, neil, marvin, and allhe bush grandchildren and great grandchildren. we stand with yo in mourning but also in gratitude. gratitude for lives well lived and duties thoroughly fulfilled. gratitude that god gave this country george and barbara bush, and that they may now be reunited in the light of h grace. >> as americans, we have no more solemn duty than haguelaying a patriot to rest. here ls a great man. to the bush family, on behalf of the whole house, republicans and democrats, we areprofoundly sorry for your loss and we areh red to celebrate this wonderful life with you. like so , i feel a personal debt of gratitude today. sentiment no doubt countless millions of americans are feeling at this moment. the 1988 casaign, that the first one i was ever involved in. we handed out literature at the ballgames and at

. >> after leaving the navy, bush married his sweet heart barbara pierce at a chance meeting. their first child george was born while bush attended yale university. but he was determined not to follow too closely. >> he wanted to go west, traveled out to texas to midland with barbara and a couple of the kids. >> he told me once, i got in car and drove west and never looked back. >> their daughter died of leukemia at four years old. >> barbara's hair turned white after that experience. >> do you ever get over that? >> no. george end love every human more because of robin. >> my grandmother was as peace with dying. she new he was going to heaven to be with robin. and my grandfather too, he knew he'd be with her and robin. it is hard to lose them be reassuring knowing they would all be together. >> after making his fortunes in texas, he turned to politics. >> she had a great deal to do with his political assent. >> president richard nixon appointed him ambassador to the united nations. he was an ambassador to the cia. >> he saw china burgoning. he saw this power house at the time

following the war bush married barbara pierce, entered yale university, and after graduating moved his young family to texas, where he was elected to the house of representatives but lost two bids to be u.s. senator. he did, several high-level appointments, including director of the cia. >> we want bush! >> reporter: following a failed effort at the republican nomination in 1980 he was named ronald reagan's running mate and then in 1998 bush decisively defeated michael dukakis for the presidency. but a faltering economy shook american faith in bush. that led to losing re-election in 1992 to democratic challenger bill clinton. bush then headed back to houston devoting time to his presidential library and staying active, even parachuting from an airplane on his birthday. he saw two sons become governors, and he looked on as george w. became the 43rd president. the son would call on the father to join forces with clinton to raise humanitarian aid for the victims of the indonesian tsunami in 2004, and in 2005 for hurricane katrina. in 2010 president obama honored bush with the presidential

. >> with the end of the war insight bush that his sights on barbara pierce, the two wed in 1949 when bush was still in the navy. they would have 6 children including our 43rd president, george w. bush and popular florida governor jeb. bush left the navy and graduated yale before he and barbara moved to texas to find his dreams on the wheel field. by age 30 he was cofounder and president of zapata offshore which pioneered experimental drilling equipment but just like his father bush was attracted to public service and politics. after losing his first political race for a senate seat in 1964 he was elected to the house of representatives two years later serving two terms, encouraged by richard nixon to run again for senate in 1970, he was defeated a second time. he moved on to high government positions. in 1971 richard nixon appointed him ambassador to the united nations and in 1973 he became chairman of the republican national committee at the height of the watergate scandal. bush urged next to resign for the good of the party. >> i shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorr

a great love story began at that christmas dance when george bush met barbara pierce, and the grace and virtue they taught their children have enriched this nation through a family of leaders. today, the nation stands with that family. with our 43rd president. with jeb, neil, marvin and doro, and all the bush grandchildren and great grandchildren. we stand with you in mourning, but also in gratitude. gratitude for lives well lived and duties thoroughly fulfilled. gratitude that god gave this country george and barbara bush and that they may now be reunited in the light of his grace. >> as americans we have no more solemn duty than laying a great patriot to rest. here lies a great man. to the bush family, on behalf of the whole house, republicans and democrats, we are profoundly sorry for your loss. and we are honored to celebrate this wonderful life with you. like so many, i feel a personal debt of gratitude today. a sentiment no doubt countless millions of americans of feeling at this moment. the 1988 campaign? that was the first one i was ever involved in. we handed out literature at

the youngest commissioned officer and pilot in the navy the day i got my wings. >> but bush missed barbara piercegirl he left behind. >> this one was december of '43. >> he began writing her letters, a tradition he would continue with family and friends his whole life. >> my darling barb, i love you, fresh precious, with all my heart, and to know that you love me means my life. i've had the best of all worlds but i never had any question that i was doing the right thing, that i was lucky to be a pilot in the u.s. navy on this team. >> just a few months later, bush and his crew were shot down. >> the antiaircraft fire was much, much heavier this day. we started our dive and suddenly i saw these puffs all around me. you just felt the plane go forward like this. going down, it goes up like that. and i knew something bad had happened. the cockpit literally filled up with smoke. >> bush ejected from the plane but barely survived being hunted down by the japanese. >> i felt sick to my stomach. i was crying, throwing up, swimming like hell. i could have made the olympics that day, because we had to get

brit: when he returned from the war, bush resumed his courtship with barbara pierce. he met her when she was 16 and he proposed to her just before leaving for the pacific. they were married in 1945. bush attended yale where he graduated with a degree in economics. he had a job waiting for him in the family investment business. but he didn't take the easy path. >> he didn't rely on family connections or wealth. brit: neil bush is the fourth son of george and barbara bush. >> after coming back from war and graduated from yale, he packed up in a red student barrack and went to west texas which is as far from civilization you can get if you are a new york city-bound professional. brit: his dad is a yankee aristrocrat. >> what caused him to leave his roots and a family he adores? it's his sense of adventure. dad can relate to people of all was of life. he never acted texan and never wore a hat or cowboy boots with but became part of the midland scene. brit: in 1953, tragedy. his 3-year-old daughter robin was diagnosed with leukemia. she died 3 months later. >> it was one of

a great love story began at that christmas dance when george bush met barbara pierce, and the grace and virtue they taught their children have enriched this nation through a family of leaders. today the nation stands with that family, with our 43rd president, with jeb, neil, marvin and all the bush grandchildren and great grandchildren. we stand with you in mourning, but also in gratitude. gratitude for lives well-lived and duties thoroughly fulfilled. gratitude that god gave this country george and barbara bush. and that they may now be reunited in the light of his grace. >> as americans, we have no more solemn duty than laying a great patriot to rest. here lies a great man. to the bush family, on behalf of the whole house, republicans and democrats, we are profoundly sorry for your loss, and we are honored to celebrate this wonderful life with you. like so many, i feel a personal debt of gratitude today, a sentiment no doubt countless millions of americans are feeling at this moment. the 1988 campaign, that was the first one i was ever involved in. we handed out literature at the jane

. >> with you in the war insights bush said his sights on barbara pierce, the two went in 1945, while bush was still on the navy . they would have six children including our 43rd president george w. bush. in popular florida governor jeb. he left the navy and graduated from your mac before he and barbara moved to texas to find his dreams on an oil field. by the age of 30 he was cofounder and president of support offshore which pioneere experimental drilling equipment. just like his fatherququ, bush ejected the public service and politics.te alter losing his first politica race for a senate seat in 1964, he was elected to the house of representatives two years later serving two terms. encouraged by richard nixon to run again for the senate in 1970 , he was defeated a second time. he moved onto high government positions in 1971 richard nixon appointed him ambassador to the united nations. in 1973, he became chairman of the republicantt national commitment at the height of the watergate scandal. in that role he urged nixon to resign for the good >> he was sent to china as chie of the u.s.

. >> george herbert walker bush met barbara pierce after the december 7th attack on pearl harbor. >> and george asked someone there do you know the girl in the red and green dress. >> beautiful girl -- >> no, he didn't say that. he said yeah, george said go cut in on her, in those days we did that. and you can bring her over. which he did do. they played a waltz, and waltzing matilda didn't waltz. and he said do you mind if we sit down for a minute, and i did, and we talked. then i went over to the andover dance, and he kissed me. i almost fainted from excitement. 16, 17 -- you were 17? >> you were 16. >> 18 the next day. he was. that is like a song, you were 16. >> i don't think -- >> two teenagers in love with wars in europe and the pacific, the future did not look bright. bush joined his fellow americans and enlisted as soon as he turned 18. he earned his wings and became the youngest pilot in the navy. >> his mother and father were wonderful. and i had a brother who was overseas. i had a brother-in-law who was overseas. but it was different, different times. >> lieutenant junior

. >> but bush missed barbara pierce, the girl he left behind. >> this one was december of '43. >> heegan writing her letters, a tradition he'd continue with family and friends his whole life. >> my darling barb. i love you, precious, with all my heart, and to know you love me means my life. goodnight, my beautiful. i had a great family and fiance and best of all worlds, but i never had any question about that i was doing the right thing, that i was lucky to be a pilot in the u.s. navy on this team. >> just a few months later bush and his crew were shot down. >> the anti-aircraft fire was much, much heavier this day, and we started our dive, and suddenly, i saw these puffs all around me. you just felt the plane go forward like this. going down, it goes up like that. and i knew something bad had happened. the cockpit literally filled up with smoke. >> bush ejected from the plane but barely survived being hunted down by the japanese. >> i felt sick to my stomach and was crying, throwing up and swimming like hell. could have made the olympics on that day, because we had to get out of the

a great love story began at that christmas dance when george bush met barbara pierce, and the grace andtue they taught their children have enriched this nation through a family of leaders. today, the nation stands with that family, with our 43rd president, with jeb, neil, marvin and all the bush grandchildren and gre great-grandchildren. we stand with you in mourning, but also in gratitude. gratitude for lives well-lived and duties thoroughly fulfilled. gratitude that god gave this country george and barbara bush, and that they may now be reunited in the light of his grace. >> as americans, we have no more solemn duty than laying a great patriot to rest. here lies a great man. to the bush family, on behalf of the whole house, republicans and democrats, we are profoundly sorry for your loss and we are honored to celebrate this wonderful life with you. like so many, i feel a personal debt of gratitude today, a sentiment no doubt countless millions of americans are feeling at this moment. the 1988 campaign, that was the first one i was ever involved in. we handed out literature at the jam

lieutenant bush married barbara pierce. they started a family. he went to yale.y and the baseball team. after graduation, they moved to west texas, where he started his own oil company, moved to houston and began a career in politics. by the mid-1960, he was a congressman, the first republican to represent houston. richard nixon appointed him u.s. ambassador to the united nations. he served as director of the cia, vice president and president. baker,s friend, james calling it the most successful one term president in history. >> if you look at what happened in the world and the way he managed that, the way he managed the end of the cold war, it ended with a whimper, was really incredible. look at the other things along the way. as anification of germany, member of nato, the coalition he put together to a verse iraq's aggression inchoate. ending the wars in latin america. -- aggression in kuwait. >> is achilles heel, pledging not to raise taxes, he reached across the aisle to reduce the deficit. when the economy turned down, he lost the president to baby boomer an