bush and barbara bush. if there is any one story that you hear about the bushes in their time in the white house, it is that they really loved the staff and went out of their way to have relationships with all of them. melania trump went to the extent of bringing them with her to the funeral of barbara bush. i think that was one of the elements of that funeral that was largely under covered. >> shannon: it was. it is such a unique, small club of people that will ever be in that place of having been a president or first lady. and we talk tonight about the fact that president george h.w. bush, our 41st president, was very close and made it a goal of his to reach out across the aisle too many people after his time as president. he was instrumental in the relief efforts for hurricane katrina in the wake of that, raising money. working with former president clinton and just working together across those lines when it was for the good of the country. we are going to continue in our coverage tonight of the life an

and barbara bush would egg him on. george p. bush on to tell him all the details about the primary challenge because george h.w. bush, of course, loved politics and loved his grandson and wanted to hear everything about it. >> eddie, we are mourning the loss of a life, of a man who had a huge impact on this country, but we are mourning the loss of a certain time in american history, as well. and i'd love for you you to talk a bit about that. we were talking earlier in the hour about him as a republican, as a member of that party. where he stands between reagan and his son when you look at the progression of republican presidents. what we're moving on from when it comes to american history. >> yeah. in so many ways, president bush was a transitional figure. if you think about what he said in 1980 primaries, he called reagan economics voodoo economics. and you think about him being caught between the great generation and then the right return in american politics, how he gets caught in some ways by the venom of patrick buchanan an

what role did barbara bush play during the george h w bush presidency? caller: it is interesting. i think barbara bush took pains to not make it clear how much influence she had. she had a divisional approach that he was the president and she was not. in that way, a great contrast to the equal partnership that we so publicly with the clintons. behind the scenes, she was enormously influential. she was influential in ways that we knew. her focus on adult illiteracy. the cause that she pushed for most of her adult life. she was also influential on things like pushing the president to do more to address the hiv aids. that was something she was doing behind the scenes. she was also an important sounding board for him during those difficult days before the iraq war. we know that only with the benefit of history and some reporting that i've done for the book that he relied on her common sense and her judgment about what was right and he had her in some important secret meetings that were very closely held because he wanted her sense of what should be done. how much influence and how muc

his wife barbara bush passed away. his wife barbara bush passed away earlier this year, i believe. he has had several bouts of illness. he has had several bouts of illness. he was in and out of hospital at different times, and he has left quite a legacy. he was responsible for golf or one, the first iraq war, and his family have actually released a statement, this is by his son george w bush. they released a statement saying they are saddened to announce after 94 remarkable yea rs, to announce after 94 remarkable years, ourdear to announce after 94 remarkable years, our dear dad has died. george hw bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. and the entire bush family is deeply grateful for life, for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens. of course, george hw bush has been unwell. he had a couple of spells in hospital in this last year, which was widely reported. he had been moved to intensive care for a time. last time we saw him in public was at his wife's funeral, barbara bush, who passed away and earlier this year. you

we have spoken about this is a little bit, but barbara bush, his wife for many, bit, but barbara bush, his wife for any bit, but barbara bush, his wife for many, many years, passed away earlier this year. that must have been a really difficult moment for him. how much of the support was she to him? she was his rock for as long as he could remember, essentially. as you mentioned, she died in april this year. we remember the footage of him and the rest of the bush family at barbara bush's funeral and it was really, really tough to watch and you could really see how much you valued having her by his side all throughout his tenure in politics in every position in which he served. the spouse of the politician, the president, of the caa direct, of the ambassador, is a lwa ys caa direct, of the ambassador, is always someone who is very visible in american politics. —— the caa director. it was as supportive as barbara bush was, i think, director. it was as supportive as barbara bush was, ithink, and director. it was as supportive as barbara bush was, i think, and that is something that we

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

bush without talking about barbara bush. they were a partnership. what an example for all of us. 73 years together. a true team. they put family first. always. that is been a lesson to me and my family. to watch how they navigated this crazy political world we are in and yet kept their family strong and together. you saw the family yesterday. everyone of those children and respectsdren loves and their grandparents. that unconditional love that they had for one another in a very equal relationship. barbara bush was feisty, opinionated. he respected that. he loved her. those relationships between about thee foundation. he was also a man of deep faith. believed that he was going to rejoin barbara. to him that was a blessing. he also believes that he was going to see his daughter robin who they lost way too soon. that was a blessing. as we mourn his death, we can that hefort in knowing has been returned to those beloved family members. and i send our condolences to the entire bush family and to his many close friends. truly great of this american life,

. >> shepard: barbara bush's funeral largely planned by her. same with nancy reagan's as i remember it they give the first families, it seems, john, as much input and latitude as they want. >> they are the ones while it's the joint task force that puts this together, it's the family that's in charge. it was interesting too, shep, i was noting to my colleagues here at the white house, that it was the first time today, actually, i think the first time since friday night that we have seen jeb bush. jeb bush was not down there in houston when everybody boarded air force one. i imagine he and his wife came up from miami, florida on their own and joined the family here on the tarmac at joint base andrews. i'm not sure why they didn't travel to houston first so that they would come up with the rest of the family. but we saw jeb's tall figure there on the tarmac at jba. that was the first time that we saw him. that sort of ends the questions as to where is jeb? also interesting to note, too, while james baker was in the room with president bush while h

barbara bush was the first lady of the greatest generation. as the fiancÉ and wife of a world war ii naval aviator, she waited and prayed in the watches of the night. during the war, she worked at a nuts and bolts factory in port chester, new york, and she joined george h.w. bush in the great adventure of postwar texas , moving to distant odesza in 1948, 70 summers ago. from rye, mrs. bush's mother would send boxes of soap and detergent to her daughter, on the grounds they probably did not have that kind of thing in west texas. [laughter] waved -- raised a thely, and your -- endured loss of a daughter to leukemia, and kept everything and everyone together. as the wife of one president at the mother of another, she holds a distinction that belongs to only one other american in the long history of the republic, abigail adams, who was present at the creation. from the white house to camp david to walker's point, in hours of war and peace, of tumult and calm, the bushes governed in a spirit of congeniality, civility, and grace. instinctively gene

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 the week. >> i was gone a lot. she was the one that comforted our daughter when she was dying. she was the one that that's kind of been there. >> after she died, it was a terrible time in our life. i really sort of fell apart. sort of hard for me to talk about. but he just put his arms around me and did not let me step away and i loved hi

it was barbara bush, and he loved the idea, he loved when barbara bush would say, you know, my fourth son -- or, you know, describe himself as george bush's brother by another mother. and i really think it was a very special relationship that was genuine, and, you know, i guess strange bedfellows, but it's nice to see. again, it's an era that hopefully is not gone. >> felipe, nice to see you. >> and thanks to you all as well. >>> still ahead, world war ii veteran and former cia director and fashion icon. how george buj.bgeorge bush.w. vogue from the ankles down. that is next. get a ford. if you want a car with driver-assist technology, get a ford. if you want waze and amazon alexa compatibility, get a ford. if you want a car that doesn't have any of that, get anything... but a ford. otherwise, you're gonna want a ford. ♪ i felt i couldn't be at my best for my family., in only 8 weeks with mavyret, i was cured and left those doubts behind. i faced reminders of my hep c every day. but in only 8 weeks with mavyret, i was cured. even hanging with friends i worried about my hep c. but in

so i had a great relationship also with barbara bush. we had a lot of fun and even after we left the white house and i went to head up photography for the walt disney company down in florida, she came to visit and speak at conventions in orlando several times and one tilme to our hous for lunch and had to call my wife up and say, guess who's coming over for lunch. >> get ready. >> yeah, but that was a lot of fun. and then former president bush for quite a few years did a bone fishing tournament down in island morada in the florida keys. so i was invited to go down there many times and photograph that event and go fishing and just have some fun and then of course, when he started doing his sky diving, i went to that a couple of times and got pictures of him sky diving as the former president. >> wow. i was going to say, that seems especially dangerous. >> yeah, but, you know, i think it was that time working for the vice president that really solidified my relationship. i'll never forget on election night down over in houston when bill cl

bush living without barbara bush. and vice versa. that was what people, jamie knows this better than us. people around them were worried after she passed in april it would be quick. he lasted a bit more than six months. almost seven months. but he certainly did so with from all accounts the same humor. the same joy. the same love of life. love of fun. and as much as he could. that he had em bodied his entire life. >> yeah. you know what we talk about the greatest generation. and i can only imagine what men and women who serve this country especially folks in the navy. how they're feeling about this hero. this war hero who became president of the united states. >> as we were talking as we have been broadcasting tonight. i got a text from mark kelly. who is well known as an astronaut. he's of course husband of gabby gifrd. he was a naval aviator. like george h.w. bush. like john mccain. the world and his family laid to rest a few months ago. he said with the passing of john mccain and george h.w. bush the navy lost the last of the most

bush? >> barbara bush in on the joke in 2009. we'll hear from her when we continue in just a moment. >>> the most important person in george bush's life was undoubtedly his wife barbara. they met as teenagers, married during world war ii. and were inseparable throughout their remarkable life together. speaking to nbc in 1999, bush read a letter he had written to his wife five years earlier on their 49th anniversary. >> january 6, 1994. for barbara pierce from ghwb. will you marry me. whoops i forgot you did that 49 years ago today. i was very happy on that day in 1945 but i'm even happier today. i have climbed the highest mountain in the world but even that cannot hold a candle to being her husband. mom used to tell me, now, george, don't walk ahead. little did she know -- >> don't do that. you know what? i was only trying to keep up. >> and another letter about a first kiss. >> i kissed barbara and i'm glad of it. i don't believe she will ever regret it or resent it. i certainly am not ashamed of it. i've never kissed another gi

as i do miss barbara bush. er and first time i met barbara, i had just been powelled out of my command in germany and put in the white house. and shortly after i got there i went to a lunch at the french emacy and i introduced myself and sheets i have know who you are. call me barbara. i said no, ma'am, i can't do that. she said bhie? i can't it's not proper. >> call me barbara. >> miami, if i call you barbara, my mother would kill you. and she said if you don't call me barbara, i will kill you and that's the way it was for the rest of her life. >> general colon powell we really appreciate your words. thank you so much for joining us. >> thank you. >>> and our special coverage will continue after this. but some give their clients cookie cutter portfolios. fisher investments tailors portfolios to your goals and needs. some only call when they have something to sell. fisher calls regularly so you stay informed. and while some advisors are happy to earn commissions whether you do well or not. fisher investments fe

after barbara bush passed. but just to go back to barbara bush and george bush's relationship. when she was in her final days, in april, and russ levenson, the pastor, was there visiting with them, you know, president bush would say to him, go upstairs. you know, see how barbara is doing. and he would go upstairs. and barbara would look at him and say, go downstairs, see how george is doing. so to the very end, they were worried about each other. and i think that james and susan baker really felt that they -- don't forget, the family was there, neil bush, maria bush. they live right across the street. they were there every day. but the bakers made it a point to spend as much time with him as possible in his final months. >> i was thinking, too, about who are you going to call? it's so important to remember the influence that george h.w. bush had as president on his son. so again, we keep saying they don't like the dynasty word, but the influence he had in terms of offering advice, but offering the people who we

barbara bush was the first lady of the greatest generation. as the fiancee and wife of a world war ii naval aviator, she waited and prayed in the watches of the night. during the war, she worked at a nuts and bolts factory in port chester, new york, and she joined george h.w. bush in the great adventure of postwar texas, moving to distant odessa in 1948, 70 summers ago. from rye, mrs. bush's mother would send boxes of soap and detergent to her daughter, on the grounds they probably did not have that kind of thing in west texas. [laughter] mr. meacham: mrs. bush raised a family, endured the loss of a daughter to leukemia, and kept everything and everyone together. as the wife of one president and the mother of another, she holds a distinction that belongs to only one other american in the long history of the republic, abigail adams, who was present at the creation. from the white house to camp david to walker's point, in hours of war and peace, of tumult and calm, the bushes governed in a spirit of congeniality, civility, and grace. instinctive

bush, i sat at a table where barbara bush was sort of peppering george p. bush, jeb bush's son who is in texas state politics. you look people in the eye, you shake -- they understood that politics was personal, not the tv ad, not tconvention speech, but the face-to-face. >> tip o'neill, who i worked for, for years, every day. he supported michael dukakis for president, but his friend was george bush. that was the normal way you did business. >> nicolle, you could probably narrate some of this. this is members of the bush family coming out, there of course is jeb. >> jeb bush and his wife. i have had this two-day-long fantasy of what it's like inside the blair house. there are a lot of bushes. there's henry hager, jenna bush's husband, the father of their two children. this generation, after jeb's kids, neil's kids, marvin's kids, they're extraordinary. barbara bush and bush 41 were so instrumental in sort of nurturing them and celebrating them. they have diverse professions. jenna is obviously our colleague at nbc news. they're filmmakers, they're philanth

after leaving the white house, barbara bush started a charity to help more people learn to read. she was quite an advocate for literacy and was tireless about it. they were married 73 years, longer than any other first couple in u.s. history. they had six children, including a daughter who died of leukemia when she was just three. they've been open and talked about how difficult a time that was for them. their eldest son, of course, george w. bush became the 43rd president of the united states. they had 17 grandchildren and eight grandchildren, after barbara bush died, her husband said she would want life to go on. at the time, "so cross the bushes off your worry list." now they are together again. george w. bush, the 41st president of united states, did tonight at 94. bret baier looked back at the life of this american hero. >> for a new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn, for in man's heart, if not in fact, the day of the dictator is over. >> bret: george bush's hardest test as president was giving the green light for operation desert storm. but he

barbara bush said she chose him for a simple reason. >> because he made me laugh. it's true, sometimes we laugh through our tears, but that shared laughter has been one of our strongest bonds. >> here, mrs. bush saying her husband was the only man she'd ever kissed. >> strange, i admit. >> still staying with your story? >> reporter: their love lasted a lifetime. >> i've always felt i was the world's luckiest woman. >> reporter: their love story endures for all time. >> nobody ever had a nobody ever haa better husband. >> the remarkable lives of george and barbara bush. that's nbc nightly news for this saturday. i'm lester holt, for all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching, and good night. herat six o )clock. . >>> we begin with breaking news here at 6:00. this video right here just into the newsroom shows a bus on fire in oakland. witnesses tell us chp -- witnesses tell chp it is a greyhound bus and this is all happened on 580 eastbound west of 24. we've just learned that everybody got t near the scene. could you see eastbound lanes are empty. as officers keep

the same church where barbara bush's life was celebrated foush months ago. just a few blocks outside the home that george and barbara shared here in houston. then his casket will travel by train to college station. that's the home of the bush presidential library, and that is where he will be laid to rest along side barbara and their late daughter robin who died when she was just 3 years old. jake. >> kaly, thank you so much. when then vice president george w. bush launched his bid for the white house in 1988 his message of picking up where ronald reagan left off, staying the course in his view, resonated with voters, but when it came time to run for re-election, his popularity collapsed under the weight of an economic downturn, and the notable, broken campaign promise. >> reporter: historians say that george h.w. bush's international dealings set the gold standard for the modern presidency. >> it is a new world order for diverse nations drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind. >> he chartered u.s. policies that -- the

in 1990, president bush and first lady barbara bush welcomed joe montana, jerry rice, and the rest of the san francisco 49ers to the white house to celebrate the team's super bowl victory that year

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 gone a lot. she was the one that comforted our daughter when she was dying. she was the one that's kind of been there. >> after she died, it was a terrible time in our life. i really sort of fell apart. it's sort of hard for me to talk about. but he just put his arms around me, and did not let me step away. and i loved him ev

bush? >> barbara bush in on the joke in 2009. we'll hear from her when we continue in a moment. u'd be betr off throwing your money right into the harbor. i'm gonna regret that. with liberty mutual new car replacement, we'll replace the full value of your car. ♪ liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty. ♪ coaching means making tough choices. jim! you're in! but when you have high blood pressure and need cold medicine that works fast, the choice is simple. coricidin hbp is the #1 brand that gives powerful cold symptom relief without raising your blood pressure. coricidin hbp. >>> the most important person in george bush's life, was undoubtedly his wife barbara, they met as teenagers, married during world war ii, and were inseparable during their remarkable life together. speaking to nbc in 1999, bush read a letter he had written to his wife five years earlier. >> january 6th, 1994, for barbara pierce from g.h.w.b. will you marry me? oops i forgot you did that 49 years ago today. i climbed the highest mountain in the world, but even

the rest is history. >> barbara bush set eyes on 17-year-old george bush, and never looked back. >> is he still the man you've ever seen? >> yes. my eyesight is getting bad. >> golly. >> will you describe barbara bush for me? >> careful. >> inside or out? >> anyway you want. >> inside. >> a kind and strong and loving person, whose priorities are family, her garden, her faith. >> i like the picture. >> would you describe george bush for us? >> well, i'd like to say ditto. very funny, george is. very warm, very wise, very caring. i would put faith as a very important part of george's life, and family, and friends. he's good. >> my grandfather was with my grandmother while she was sick, during her last days. and then on the day that she passed away, he was there all day holding her hand. ♪ ♪ >> at her funeral in april, president bush was next to her casket greeting mourners who would come to pay their respects. >> it absolutely amazed me. there he sat for hours shaking hands, because he knew that they wanted to see him. so, it was one last act of duty. >> after my w backft. >> there i

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 above the settling of scores. the couple had met at a christmas day and in greenwich in 1941, not quite three weeks after pearl harbor. --to know that you love me how often i have though

a few days before barbara bush's death, i was called to the bush home and the predent asked me to pray with her. i went and knocked on her door and barbara answered, hello, russ. i'm not checking out yet. we talked for a bit. i asked permission to anoint her head with oil and pray with her. we did. we prayed. i left and then she called me to come back in. are you okay, i said? she said yes. just tell him i adore him. today we are gathered to celebrate the life of a man that we all adored. at the beginning of a journey 12, 1924 george herbert walker bush was born into the cradle of a loving faly that held fast to theluesf and faith, of integrity, honesty and loyal, of character, courage and service.nd now at thef that journey that cradle that sustained him throughout his 94 years of life has released him into the loving arms ohis heavenly father. the end depends on the beginning. this is a good ending because from the very begiing george bush was committed to a life, not for himself, but for others. so we gather today charged with three tasks. saying good-bye, giving our thanks and lift

of course, the great love affair with his wife, barbara bush, who died earlier this year. it is one that takes your breath away when you read their letters back and forth, you look at the origins of their start and what they went through as a family, what they suffered in losing a child, ended going through many, many ups and downs, difficult campaigns that didn't always go their way. there were many times that they had each other's backs anyway nobody else could have. they were fierce defenders of each other and of their families, their children, their grandchildren. earlier this summer, you may remember one of his granddaughters was married, barbara bush, and she said, it was very important for her to be there, have him there with her on her special day. brad blakeman on the phone with us tonight. brad, this is sad news. i'm sure you have many, many memories -- fond once -- of our 41st president. >> absolutely. he was a statesman, a gentleman, serve our country in so many capacities over so many years. he leaves a legacy that would be honorable for anyone to follow in hi

george and barbara bush witnessed a similar selflessness. as they worshiped together, they never made a show or a fuss of arriving, worshiping or leaving. they loved to spend time with the members here. they had a favorite spot over there. but if they arrived, and someone had beat them to it, they never created a problem. christmas and easter, crowded days, they often relinquished their seats to a mother with children or a son with elderly parents. one particularly cold day, as the president came in the back, he was met by an usher who did he was met by an usher who did not have an overcoat. "aren't you cold?," the president asked. the young man said, "i am fine." before he could finish his sentence, the president whipped off his own coat and placed it on the gentleman shoulders, and walked into service without another word. george bush loved the lord. he knew the lord loved him. it was that connection that birthed in the 41st president, the desire to serve. years ago, we discussed his deteriorating health. at the time, he did not know how t

bush and barbara bush were guests often, frankly and you felt the sense of perspective of history and the arc of history in this short period of time that these-- that father and son, you know, were in the same house. neil: yeah. anita, president bush, with whom you worked, the son, said that i was, quoting him here, kind of quoting him, i was more conservative than my dad. was that your sense? >> i think in some ways. i think that that is true. i think that some of it, in the way that president george w. bush's demeanor was different than his dad's and you know, perhaps that was a -- and to the point that you made about secretary rumsfeld, too, that, you know, president george w. bush was comfortable with his defense secretary for quite a long time. neil: that's right. >> and his approach, to his job as secretary of defense, where maybe bush 41 might have handled it differently. neil: he was the diplomatic one. we don't know and it's all just a guess. >> but they supported each other and loved each other and so, barbara bush, too, and it hurt her more to have her son criticized than

bush and barbara shared for many years here in houston. returned here in 1993 after leaving the white house and as the mayor of houston said in a statement, they could have gone anywhere. after leaving washington. they chose to come here to the beloved city. where his political career began. as the chair of the harris county republican party. here in houston barbara and george beloved figures themselves. a familiar figure. whether you saw them at an astros baseball game. behind home plate. or at a texas football game. ever since that team moved here. people saw them as relatable. as other members of the community. there's very little relatable about the events that will transpire in the city over the coming days. we understand the family the bush family will be congregating here. in the next couple days. there will be a private service held at st. martin church. the church they attended for many years. here together the same church barbara's life was remembered a couple blocks behind us here. and then president bush will be flown to dc. th

bush died last night less than eight months after his wife of 73 years, barbara bush, passed away. >> i, george herbert walker bush, do solemnly swear. >> i, george herbert walker bush, do solemnly swear. >> that i will faithfully execute the office of president of the united states. >> that i will faithfully execute the office of president of the united states. >> sreenivasan: george herbert walker bush became president in 1989. his inaugural address included the words "kinder" and "gentler," words thad become part of his legacy and tat he also used in his acceptance speech republican convention in 1988. >> i want a kinder and gentler nation. >> sreenivasan: mr. bush was 1 born on ju 1924, in milton, massachusetts. the son of a wealthy family, he grew up in greenwich, connecticut, and spent summers at the family's oceanfront home in kennebunkport, maine., his fatherprescott bush, was an investment banker who also served as a republr an u.s. senaom connecticut for ten years. after graduating from boarding school, mr. bush enaisted in the vy and became one of the youngest aviators in n

george and barbara bush witnessed a similar selflessness. as they worshiped together, they never made a show or a fuss of arriving, worshiping or leaving. they loved to spend time with the members you. they had a favorite spot over there. but if someone arrived, and someone had beat them to it, they never created a problem. christmas and easter, crowded days, they often relinquished their seats to a mother with children or a son with elderly parents. cold day, asrly the president came in the back, he was met by an usher who did not have an overcoat. "aren't you cold?," the president asked. the young man said, "i am fine." before he could finish his sentence, the president whipped off his own coat and placed it on the gentleman shoulders, and walked into service without another word. george bush loved the lord. he knew the lord loved him. it was that connection that birthed in the 41st president, the desire to serve. we discussed his health. at the time, he did not know how that struggle would end. he put a question to me. he said, "what do y

se prevÉ que sea tambiÉn enterrado con su esposa, bÁrbara bush, en la biblioteca presidencial que lleva su nombre en college station. tambiÉn se espera que sea enterrado con las icÓnicas medias que siempre utilizada en cada evento y cuendo su esposa perdiÓ la vida en abril. y llamaba la literatura y ella tenÍa medias con libritos. ahora se espera que tengan fotografÍas militares. borja: ha sido una historia de amor maravillosa. se han quedado tan sÓlo siete meses de distancia desde que falleciÓ y creo que hay una foto que se volviÓ viral de cuando muriÓ bÁrbara bush hace siete meses del presiente observando el fÉretro de su esposa. en texas estÁ daicy rÍos con quien conoceremos de cerca cÓmo se prepara la tercera y Última etapa de las jornadas de homenaje a esta histÓrica figura polÍtica estadounidense. daicy: muy buenos dÍas. les cuento fue prÁcticamente despuÉs de las 10:00 a.m. que llegaron los restos del presidente nÚmero 41 de estados unidos hasta las instalaciones de este aeropuerto donde le esperaban decenas de personas quienes lo recibieron a un costado de l

bush? >> reporter: barbara bush in on the joke in 2009. we'll hear from her when we continue in just a moment. these folks, they don't have time to go to the post office they have businesses to grow customers to care for lives to get home to they use stamps.com print discounted postage for any letter any package any time right from your computer all the amazing services of the post office only cheaper get our special tv offer a 4-week trial plus postage and a digital scale go to stamps.com/tv and never go to the post office again! >>> the most important person in george bush's life was undoubtedly his wife barbara. they met as teenagers. married during world war ii and were inseparable throughout their remarkable life total. speaking to nbc in 1999, bush read a letter he had written to his wife five years earlier on their 49th anniversary. >> january 6th, 1994, for barbara pierce from ghwb. will you marry me? oops, i forgot, you did that 49 years ago today. i was very happy on that day if 1945 but i am even happier today. i have climbed th

george and barbara bush witnessed a similar selflessness. as they worshiped together, they never made a show or a fuss of arriving, worshiping or leaving. they loved to spend time with the members here. they had a favorite spot over there. but if they arrived, and someone had beat them to it, they never created a problem. christmas and easter, crowded days, they often relinquished their seats to a mother with children or a son with elderly parents. one particularly cold day, as the president came in the back, he was met by an usher who did not have an overcoat. "aren't you cold?," the president asked. the young man said, "i am fine." before he could finish his sentence, the president whipped off his own coat and placed it on the gentleman shoulders, and walked into service without another word. george bush loved the lord. he knew the lord loved him. it was that connection that birthed in the 41st president, the desire to serve. years ago, we discussed his deteriorating health. at the time, he did not know how that struggle would end. he put

this is a replica of the wedding dress that barbara bush wore. one other thing, alex, this is where he will be laid to rest, behind the library and museum is a spot surrounded by three oak trees next to a beautiful pond that barbara bush once described as the most beautiful place on earth that she had seen. that's where he'll be laid to rest. >> i'll bet no one will for gge being there on this momentous day. joining us is his former chief of staff, john sununu. talk to me about how you're feeling overall. >> well, it is a day framed in sadness, but there is a lot of positive to it. recalling the really good times in the white house and the great things that president george h.w. bush did and remembering how much fun he made it to work in the white house. this was a president who could do very important and serious things in a way that made us all enjoy it. >> well, that in itself, sir, is a talent, given being in the trenches of politics in the highest level and working with him in the oval office there. but talk about the challenges, some of the

bush and barbara bush. and went to the funeral. in that moment shows you how much reverence and respect the people who worked for president george h. w. bush had for him. ebony: in a just a bit you have a panel. you're in california of course for the reagan defense form. you will be with secretary of defense, james mattis. can you give us insight on that conversation? reporter: it's a one-on-one conversation with the defense secretary. i was out here and spoke to the national security advisor, hr mcmaster. similar q&a. obviously it will get his reflections on the passing of the 41st president. but there are a lot of issues with the secretary, opposite, can make a lot of news and weigh in on big issues of the day as you look around the world and what the future of the u.s. military and funding question going forward. he does not give that many interviews so we honor to be able to do this. we will bring it to live on fox. leland: will be standing by. in the next hour brett baier will talk to james mattis at the forum. he will spend t

and he survived his wife barbara bush and welcomed an outpouring of affection for her. theirs was the longest marriage in presidential history. george bush was admired as a man of dedecency. >>> and that was lester holt reporting. the other former u.s. presidents are paying tribute to 41 in a statement bush's son and the 43rd president of these united states, george w. bush called his father a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. very few americans will ever be able to quote, match president bush's record of service to the united states and the joy he took every day from it and president obama said america's lost a patriot and his legacy of service may never be matched and president obama met with bush 41 at his home in houston just this past tuesday. bush's spokes person tweeting that night about a private and pleasant visit between the two. >>> joining me now from houston, the texas city president george h.w. bush died. a very somber good morning to you in houston. what can you tell us about a city that is clearly in mourning?

i had lunch with president bush and barbara. we went to a little restaurant where we had some maine lobster. i ended up spending four 1/2 hours with them. when i was getting ready to leave, i was walking to the door and thanking him for spending so much time with me. he reached into his pocket and putted out a check for $1,000 for my campaign. you could have knocked me over with a stick. i am not someone known for being at a loss for words and i simply stared at him and stammered. i think -- stammered, i think i barely got out the words thank you. but i was so astonished and the check simply said from george and barbara bush. i got in the rental car and began driving back to the airport and i called heidi. i said, heidi, i just had the most magical, unbelievable day. now, mr. president, he didn't have to do any of that. ep didn't have to give me the time -- he didn't have to give me the time of day, but he poured his heart into the people around him, into his family, into his public service, and into his nation. that was just on

look to the example of barbara bush and george h.w. bush. there is a lot of pressure on barbara bush, oh, she should di dye her hair and wear different clothes. he said i love you the way you are. such a beautiful relationship. pete: i agree, yale, never heard of it. ed: you are a princeton guy? pete: i think flipping burgers thing with a can of beer in your t-shirt might have been a part of his military background, too. this is a guy. talked about a privileged background and i agree with what dana said. you could go that route or be a self-made man. academy, elite bordering school. son of a senator as was mentioned. could have gone straight to yale. instead, december 7th, 1941. a date that will live in infamy, changed the lives of a generation. he decided at the age of 18 to enlist in the navy. became a navy aviator shortly thereafter found himself on aircraft carrier on an aircraft that was whose expertise torpedo squadron go over submarines in the pacific. 45 combat engagements in the pacific against the japanese and september 2nd, 1944.

george bush and barbara bush, they were beloved by texans. often sometimes erroneously, it is said that texas was his adopted state. you know, it was wholeheartedly his stage when he moved there. the biggest venture from the east coast to start his family, young family. and start his family there. and they, both of them, embraced the states and the city of houston. put it on the world stage, made at this sides of the g7 the summit. the sights of his nominating convention in 1992. texas loves it george and barbara bush, and they loved it back. seeing all of these people lining up along this route, just a beautiful tribute from around the country this last week since he passed, it's just very heartwarming. and i know it is also very comforting to the family. >> shepard: i'm confident it is. the former president speaks so lovingly of him. you spent a lot of time on trips with him, but in 2005, we went to cover the funeral of pope john paul ii, and you were on air force one at the time and had some moments with former presidents, right? >> i did.

george and barbara bush witnessed a similar selflessness. as they worshiped together, they never made a show or a fuss of arriving, worshiping or leaving. they loved to spend time with the members here. they had a favorite spot over there. but if they arrived, and someone had beat them to it, they never created a problem. christmas and easter, crowded days, they often relinquished their seats to a mother with children or a son with elderly parents. one particularly cold day, as the president came in the back, he was met by an usher who did he was met by an usher who did not have an overcoat. "aren't you cold?," the president asked. the young man said, "i am fine." before he could finish his sentence, the president whipped off his own coat and placed it on the gentleman shoulders, and walked into service without another word. george bush loved the lord. he knew the lord loved him. it was that connection that birthed in the 41st president, the desire to serve. years ago, we discussed his deteriorating health. at the time, he did not know how t

he said his greatest achievement was marrying barbara bush -- or barbara pierce. >> right. >> the longest marriage in presidential history. 73 years. talk about -- there is james baker. his best friend who i get choked up thinking about rubbing his feet at the very final moments. they met. >> right up to the end. >> they met upon a tennis court. he was looking for a tennis double partner and that bond lasted a lifetime you know them both well. >> the reason jim baker wound up in washington is george bush got him to come to washington to help him get over the death of his first waive. he said come up here i'll put you to work. you won't have time to think so much about it. that's how it happened. >> and there is the 43rd president, president george w. bush and the extended family there. they're there and this is a solemn part of the ceremony, the movement of the president's casket. the last time from the u.s. capitol. that's major general howard there with the hat on. he is in charge of in whole thing. it is 4,000 people involved in planning all the movements of this. incredible service to

i didn't know president bush or barbara. i remember the end of the day i wasn't going to ask for anything other than simply his advice to say mr. president you're an elder statesman who spent decades in public service. what advice would you give to someone running their very first campaign for public office? what advice or what path should i endeavor to follow? well, i assume the meeting would be a 10, 20 minute meeting, a per functry meeting and am pleased he took. when i sat down, i was amazed he knew everything about the race, all the potential players who might be running for that position and he knew a great deal about my background which had me utterly flabbergasts and didn't know each other but was obvious he had prepared before the meeting and put in that time. after about 20 minutes, he asked me, he said ted's when is your flight back? and i said well, it's in a couple hours, i'm flying out of boston. he said could you maybe stay and go out on the boat with barbara and me? and i laughed and said mr. president, plane

the mayor saying george and barbara bush was boosters of everything houston. and that will be a hole that will be left in this community. we're also of course hearing from the bush family. jeb bush tweeting this morning, already miss him. of course, there was a statement from george w. bush overnight, very soon after. 41's passing saying jeb, people that, marvin, doro and i are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear dad has died. george h.w. bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. the entire bush family is deeply grateful for 41's life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for dad. and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens. george h.w. bush leaves behind 17 grandchildren. we're hearing from george prescott bush, one of the grandsons tweeting, my grandfather was the greatest man i ever knew. his life spanned the american century. he fought in world war ii, took part in the texas oil boom, served out a distinguished career in public service includi

i married the first man i ever kissed, barbara bush used to say. when i tell this to my children, they just about throw up. and while they did their best to keep pace with modern life over the next 73 years, this couple remained an old-fashioned love story. the two exchanged love letters throughout their relationship, including one george sent in 1943 while serving in world war ii. they shared it on the oprah winfrey show. >> i love you, precious, with all my heart. >> reporter: they were married longer than any other couple in presidential history. >> you make me feel wonderful, but then i always feel wonderful when i get to talk about the strongest, the most decent, the most caring, the wisest, yes, and the healthiest man i know. >> reporter: their six kids produced the widest range of parental emotions imaginable. watching one son become president. another the governor of florida. and burying a daughter, robin, who died of leukemia at the age of 3. through it all, papi and bar as they called each other, celebrated and endured together. >> the wa

. >> they we wanted to know who i was and barbara bush who was master of match maker anyway, they we wanted to know who i was and coming out party is we were invited to state dinner, talk about pressure for the president of brazil, i will never forget that and when we got engaged barbara bush was one of the first to come and see the ring. [laughter] >> so cute, family people, they embraced all of us who worked for them, gentle and beautiful way, memorable for all of us. arthel: you mentioned first lady barbara bush, i think of her when i where the question, who were the silent heros at the white house? >> yeah, of course, she -- barbara bush, generally, you don't put -- i know what you mean that sort very effective, not in your face influence and first ladies generally have that kind of influence. she was partner with george h.w. bush through and through and, you know, they were young kids when they got married, started having family, started leading public life. she definitely, he trusted her, they had fun with each other, the whole family really was, just really a joy to be around.

i had lunch with president bush and barbara. we went to a little restaurant where we had some maine lobster. i ended up spending four 1/2 hours with them. when i was getting ready to leave, i was walking to the door and thanking him for spending so much time with me. he reached into his pocket and putted out a check for $1,000 for my campaign. you could have knocked me over with a stick. i am not someone known for being at a loss for words and i simply stared at him and stammered. i think -- stammered, i think i barely got out the words thank you. but i was so astonished and the check simply said from george and barbara bush. i got in the rental car and began driving back to the airport and i called heidi. i said, heidi, i just had the most magical, unbelievable day. now, mr. president, he didn't have to do any of that. ep didn't have to give me the time -- he didn't have to give me the time of day, but he poured his heart into the people around him, into his family, into his public service, and into his nation. that was just on