following the b war,h married barbara pierce, entered yale university. after graduating moved his young amily to texas where he was elected to the house of retesentatives but l two bids to be a u.s. senator. he did, however, succeed in several high level appointments including director of the cia. following theor failed e at the republican nomination in 1980, he was named ronald reagan running mate. then in 1988 was decisively defeated michael dukakis for the presidency. a faltering econoam shook ican faith in bush. that led to losing reelection in 1992 toemocratic challenger bill inn. bush headed back to houston devoting time to his presidential library and staying active, even parachuting from an airplane on hisaybirt he saw two sons become governors. he looked o the 4 3rd president. thelon would caln the father to join forces with bill clinton to raise humanarian aid for victims of the indonesian tsunami in 204 -- 2004 and 2005 for hurricane katrina. the former president suffered heart break when barbara, his wife of 73 years passed away. he mourned w

he returned home, married his sweetheart, barbara pierce, and started a family, ng he o business. they suffered the loss of daughter robin to 1964, th turned 40, bush got into politics, running for senate. >> i certainly hope and i'll bet you do our childrn can grow up knowing what freedom really is. >> he lost, but later won a house seat. and ran for senate again in 1970. this time with help from president nixon. >> and george bush, in my opinion, is the best man for america. >> when he lost again, nixon appointed him ambassador to the u.n. >> i consider myself a very lucky guy. >> but his next job was chairman of the republican party during watergate. >> you try being chairman of the republican party during the watergate days. you're talking about a ghastly assignment. >> bush escaped watergate unscathed. and nixon's successor >> i'm darn happy. >> just a year later, an even bigger assignment. >> director of the central intelligence agency.love one year only. i loved defending the culture at a time everyone was down on it. >> when ford lost to jimmy carter, bush left the cia. >>

he met barbara pierce at a christmas dance when they were just teenagers. they got married in 1945 when he was home on leave from the war. he later graduated from yale university and then with bar but they moved to texas to work in the oil business and that is where he got into politics. he became a congressman and ran for congress in 1980. he lost the republican nomination to ronald reagan but became its vice president and finally, eight years later, took the oath of office himself as commander in chief. on his watch, a lot of foreign policy got done. the berlin wall came down, the soviet union collapsed. when saddam hussein invaded kuwait, he defeated the iraqi forces. he also started a foundation to promote community service. 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. t

>> yes, i am. >> barbara pierce bush died on april 17th, 2018. as always, 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 du

there were no safe spaces or micro aggressions allowed with barbara pierce bush. [laughter] jeb: but in the end, every y lovedild new their gann 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 , 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. beautiful, she was until the day she died. 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, the compton, to houston, the d.c., the new york, back

he returned home, rried his sweetheart, barbara pierce and started a family, moving to texas in 1948 to get into the oil business. they suffered the loss of daughter robin to leukemia. but raised five children. in 1964, the year he turned us40, b got into politics, running for senate. >> i certainly hope and i'll bet you do too, that our children can grow up knowing what freedom really is. >> he lost, but later won a house seat. and ran for senate again in 1970. this time with help from president nixon. >> george bush in my opinion, is the best man for america. >> when he lost again, nixon appointed him ambassador to the u.n. >> i consider myself a very lucky guy. >> but his next job was chairman of the republican party during watergate. >> you try being chairman of the republican party during the watergate days. you're talking about a ghastly assignment. >> he escaped watergate unscathed. and gerald ford made him his envoy to china. >> i'm darn happy. >> just a year later, an even bigger assignment. >> director of th cia. >> cia, iloved. one year only. i loved defending thelt e at a

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 a

>> yes, i am. >> barbara pierce bush died on april 17th, 2018. as always, 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 du

and to his sweetheart barbara pierce, they married in 1945. he enrolled at yale, his father's alma matter, and 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 say. and that inspired me. not just there, but in his whole life. >> prescott bush lost in 1950, but won a senate seat two years later, as reported on election night by nbc's richard harkness. >> prescott bush, mr. bush is a new york investment banker, a partner of april harriman, bush will be

and to his sweetheart barbara pierce, they married in 1945. he enrolled at yale, his father's alma matter, and 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 say. and that inspired me. not just there, but in his whole life. >> prescott bush lost in 1950, but won a senate seat two years later, as reported on election night by nbc's richard harkness. >> prescott bush, mr. bush is a new york investment banker, a partner of april harriman, bush will be

he would later meet the love of his life, barbara pierce, at a christmas dance. he was the first boy she would kiss. the following year, george enlisted in the navy on his 18th birthday. while overseas, he would write to barbara, his darling bar. he was shot down over the pacific. he was rescued and he made it home to barbara. they would have six children and among them, a little girl named robin who died of leukemia at 3. it was a loss that broke both of them. >> he was very close. >> i was very close to her. >> she adored him. >> what was it that pulled you back up on your feet afterwards? >> he was very strong then. he was wonderful. >> from the oil business to politics, he was a congressman, a cia director, and the loyal vice president to ronald reagan. he would then get his own chance. >> i want a kinder and gentler nation. >> as president, guiding the country through the end of the cold war and driving saddam hussein out of kuwait. but with the economy at home being tested, he would lose re-election to bill clinton, describing the loss to diane sawyer. >> j

>> they said, that's barbara pierce from new york. the rest is history. >> you can look at videos of the two of them just cracking each other up. >> is he still the handsomest man you've ever seen? >> yes. my eyesight is getting >> these are people who loved each other deeply. she was a great political partner. >> coming up next, during that rise, tragedy strikes. >> my grandparents suffered the worst thing a young couple can endure. chihuahua people. what! that's - i find that crazy. it traces their journey in the mid-1800s from central mexico to texas. learning about the risks they took for a better life, it gives me so much respect and gratitude. this holiday, give the gift that's connected millions to a deeper family story. order your kit at ancestry.com. at kohl's friendsoy... & family sale! to a deeper family story. take an extra 25% off... only once a year, save on outerwear... family boots... and toys! plus get kohl's cash! and - snap a free picture with santa this weekend at kohl's! give joy, get joy - at kohl's. love loud...

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

little did she know, i was only trying to keep up with barbara pierce from rye, new york. i love you." the last time my mom went into the hospital, i think dad got sick on purpose so he could be with her. that is my theory, at least, because literally a day later he showed up with an illness. [laughter] gov. bush: he came into her room when she was sleeping and held her hand. his hair was standing straight up. he had on a mask to improve his breathing. he was wearing a hospital gown. in other words, he looked like hell. [laughter] gov. bush: mom opened her eyes and said, my god, george, you are devastatingly handsome. [laughter] gov. bush: every nurse, doctor, staffer had to run to the hallway because they started crying. i hope you can see why we think our mom and our dad are teachers and models for our entire family and for many others. finally, the last time i was with her, i asked her about dying. was she ready to go? was she sad? without missing a beat, she said, i believe in jesus and he is my savior. i do not want to leave your dad, but i know i will be in a beautif

he would later meet the love of his life, barbara pierce, at a christmas dance. he was the first boy she would kiss. the following year, george enlisted in the navy on his 18th birthday. while overseas, he would write to barbara, his darling bar. two years in, on his 50th mission, he was shot down over the pacific. he was rescued and he made it home to barbara. they would have six children and among them, a little girl named robin, who died of leukemia at 3. it was a loss that broke both of them. >> he was very close. >> i was very close to her. >> she adored him. >> what was it that pulled you back up on your feet afterwards? >> he was very strong then. he was wonderful. >> from the oil business to politics, he was a congressman, an ambassador, a cia director, and the loyal vice president to ronald reagan. he would then get his own chance. >> i want a kinder and gentler nation. >> as president, guiding the country through the end of the cold war and driving saddam hussein out of kuwait. but with the economy at home being tested, he would lose re-election to bill

he met barbara pierce at a christmas dance when they were just teenagers. they got married in 1945 when he was home on leave from the war. he later graduated from yale university and then with bar but they moved to texas to work in the oil business and that is where he got into politics. he became a congressman and ran for congress in 1980. he lost the republican nomination to ronald reagan but became its vice president and finally, eight years later, took the oath of office himself as commander in chief. on his watch, a lot of foreign policy got done. the berlin wall came down, the soviet union collapsed. when saddam hussein invaded kuwait, he defeated the iraqi forces. he also started a foundation to promote community service. 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. t

. >> qualities that immediately caught the attention of a smart, attractive girl named barbara pierce. at a school dance, sparks flew. but world war ii intervened. >> i was 17 years old. it was a sunday. somebody came running by and said pearl harbor had been attacked. >> against his parents' wishes, bush put aside college and enlisted in the navy on his 18th birthday. >> it didn't matter how old i was or what experience i had not had. i didn't know anything about flying. i was just determined to do it. >> years later, with characteristic modesty, he downplayed his military service. >> i knew fact certain that i wanted to serve. duty, honor, country. but again, i hate telling you this because i don't want to be sounding like i'm different. i'm not. >> but he was different. when we return, the day that changed george bush's life. >>> and later, the truth behind the special relationship with the man who would defeat him. >> he thought i talked too much. but i never talked too much on the boat, because he was going 60 miles per hour bumping us to death. the united states postal service m

. >> qualities that immediately caught the attention of a smart, attractive girl named barbara pierce. at a school dance, sparks flew, but world war ii intervened. >> i was 17 years old. it was a sunday. somebody came running by, and she yelled that pearl harbor'd been attacked. >> against his parents' wishes, bush put aside college and enlisted in the navy on his 18th birthday. >> didn't matter how old i was or what experience i had not had, i didn't know anything about flying. i was just determined to do it. >> years later, with characteristic modesty, he downplayed hay downplayed his military service. >> i knew fact certain that i wanted to serve. duty, honor, country, but, again, i hate telling you this, because i don't want to be sounding like i'm different. i'm not. >> but he was different. when we return, the day that changed george bush's life. and later, the truth behind the special relationship with the man who would defeat him. >> he thought i talked too much. but i never talked too much on the boat, because he was going 60 miles per hour bumping us to death. you get a free

he would later meet the love of his life, barbara pierce, an at a christmas dance. he was the first boy she would kiss. george enlisted in the war becoming the youngest pilot in the u.s. navy. overseas, george and barbara could keep up the romance with love letters to his darling barb. two years in, he was shot down over the pacific. >> i knew if it wasn't rescued, i would be captured and it was a har rogue experience. >> but he he went to yale, and the captain of the baseball team. they could have six children. it was a loss of his daughter their broke both of them. >> he was very close. >> i was very close to her. >> she adored him. >> what was it that pulled you back on your feet afterwards? >> he was very strong then. it was wonderful. >> they had moved the family to texas where he ran a successful oil business. then he would enter politics. >> george bush the republican candidate for the senate. >> he would layer run for president in 1980. >> that is why i want to be president. >> and ronald reagreagreagreagrg president. >> i want a kinder and gentler nation. >

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 ahrleman, bush will b

he married barbara pierce... they had six pierce... they barbara he married barbara pierce... they had six children.two would follow his footsteps into public life."i george walker bush, do solemnly swear.after earning a degree at yale-- the elder bush moved his family to texas- - where he made a fortune in the oil business.there, his budding interests in republican politics blossomed. bush ran against ronald reagan in the 1980 g-o-p primaries... reagan believed the texas oilman could help him win-over the party's moderates... and named him as his running mate.he was reagan's hier apparent in 19- 88...george h.w. bush:"i want a kinder and gentler nation, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky"as the nation's 41st president, bush's focus returned to international affairs.he presided over the collapse of communism in the former soviet union... and the end of the cold war.it was a life that brought george herbert walker bush back to the white house in 2011 to receive the nation's highest civilian honor: the presidential medal of freedom. president barack obam

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

later meeting the love of his life barbara pierce at a christmas dance. he was the first boy she would kiss. the following year on his 18th birthday george enlisted in the war, becoming the youngest pilot in the u.s. navy. while overseas george and barbara kept up the long distance romance with love letters to his darling bar. two years in on his 50th mission he was shot down over the pacific. >> i knew if i wasn't rescued i would be captured. and it was- it was a harrowing experience. >> but he was rescued and he made it home to barbara. he attended yale. he was the captain and first he and barbara would have six children. george, jeb, marvin and kneel. and two daughters who died of leukemia at the age of 3 in 1953. a loss that broke both of them. >> he was very close. >> i was very close to her. >> she adored him. >> what was it that pulled you back up on your feet afterwards? >> he was very strong then. he was wonderful. >> they had moved the family to texas where he ran a successful oil business. and then he would enter politics. >> george bush, the h

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 pierce bush, his wife of 73 years. he called her barbara, 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. [ 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 the

he would later meet the love of his life barbara pierce at a christmas day. he was the first boy she would kiss. the following year on his 18th birthday he enlisted in the war, the youngest pilot in the u.s. navy. while overseas george and barbra kept up with the romance. two years in on his 50th mission he was shot down over the pacific. >> i knew if i wasn't rescued i would be captured. and it was dsh it was a harrowing experience. >> but he was rescued and he made it home to barbara. he attended yale, the captain and first baseman of the baseball team. he and barbara would have six children. and two daughters. dorothy and robin who died of leukemia at the age of 3 in 1953. it was a loss that broke both of them. >> he was very close. >> i was very close to her. >> she adored him. what was it that pulled you back up on your are your feet afterwards? >> he was very strong then. he was wonderful. >> they had moved the family to texas where he ran a successful oil business. and then he would enter politics. >> george bush, the happy family man is now george bus

when the war ended he married barbara pierce. produced six children, college at yale and onto texas for a career in the oil industry. then to congress representing west euston. -- houston. in the 1970s bush was appointed ambassador to the united nations. the director of the cia. in 1980 he lost the republican presidential nomination to ronald reagan. he joined the ticket as vice president. eight years later he made his own. >> i accept your nomination for president. e the election presiding the end of the court that the cold war in the fall of the berlin wall. he ignited a correlation of the three nations that routed saddam hussein troops in the first gulf war. it seemed that he might cruise to a second turn. he might have, but for six words. >> read my lips yet they raise taxes and cut fitting down the road and led to a balanced budget and prosperity. as election day approached the economy was faltering, and bill clinton would win the day. >> they had gone back on the original pledge. he would've served eight years. and stronger

a great love story began at that christmas dance when george bush met barbara pierce, and the grace and virtue they taught their children has enriched 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 for lives well-lived and duties fulfilled. gratitude that god gave this country george and barbara bush, and that they may now be reunited in the light of his grace. ryan: 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 handed out literature at the janesville ballgames and the 4-h fair. i remember going to a

the 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 to a family of leaders. today, the nation stands with that family, with our 43rd president, with jeb, neil, marvin, and dora and all of the bush grandchildren and great-grandchildren. mourningwith you in but also in gratitude. livedude for lives well and duties thoroughly fulfilled. gratitude that god gave this bushry george and barbara and that they may now be reunited in the light of his grace. >> as americans, we have no more solemn duty then laying a great patriot to rest. here lies a great man. 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. , i feel a personal debt of gratitude today, a countlessno doubt millions of americans are feeling at this moment. the 1988 campaign was the first one i was ever involved in. at theenough literature ballgames and the rock county 4-h fair. i remember going to a big

a great love story began at that christmas dance when george bush met barbara pierce, and with grace and virtue, they 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

by then, he had married barbara pierce who became his partner in life and politics. >> barbara bush: my job is to go out and talk about george bush the man and this well-qualified person and i like doing it. nobody asked me to do it. that's what i do. i don't give advice.te you thi? >> barbara bush: i don't take it very well either i might add. >> o'donnell: when she died this past april, barbara bush had been married to george bush for 73 of her 92 years. it was the longest marriage between a president and first lady in american history. >> clinton: and they probably both would hasten to say that their lives-- they both did more than they would have, either one of them, if they hadn't been together. i mean, they're a remarkable, amazing partnership. >> george w. bush: this is a guy who-- by the way, who goes to yale, is kind of the star at yale, baseball captain, phi beta kappa, and was expected to go to wall street-- and he decides to move to odessa, texas. and he goes out there and rents a duplex. this is an oilfield boomtown now in '48. and-- and our neighbors in this duplex were

but he already met barbara pierce. at a dance. and he was submiten. and he would write to his mother and siblings. and her. all about that. and the fact that that lasted that love that deep deep love. lasted for almost eight decades. is remarkable. yeah, it was what six months ago he lost that love of his life. the soul mate in the true true sense of the word. and the love story is something that is almost unparallel in today's time. >> you can't help but get a little choked up. i'm looking at a picture from twitter. you should check out kate ben net twitter account. she covers the first lady of the united states. it's a picture of barbara bush sitting on the south steps with her two dogs and this is her sitting on the steps at the white house waiting for george bush to return from trips. i thought of this picture tonight and how happy she must be that he's coming home to her. again. there it is. up on the screen. >> absolutely. look, it's not just she was an incredible partner for him. she believed and both of them believe in the same thing. which wa

he was 17 when he met the love of his life, barbara pierce, at a christmas dance. they would become a love story 73 years strong, the longest marriage in presidential history. >> is he still the handsomest man you've ever seen? >> yes. uh-huh, uh-huh. my eyesight's getting bad. >> god. golly. >> reporter: on his 18th birthday, the young george bush enlisted in world war ii, becoming the youngest pilot in the u.s. navy. two years in, he was shot down over the pacific. >> i knew if i wasn't rescued, i would be captured. and it was -- it was a harrowing experience. >> reporter: he was rescued and made it home to barbara. he went on to yale where he was captain and first baseman of the baseball team. he and barbara had six children. george, jeb, marvin, and neil. and two daughters, dorothy and robin, who died of leukemia at the age of 3. >> he was very close. >> i was very close to her. >> she adored him. >> what was it that pulled you back up on your feet afterwards? >> he was very strong then. he was wonderful. >> reporter: they had moved the family to texas, where h

pierce and over the years they had six children, future president george w. bush, future florida governor jeb, sons marvin and neil, daughter dorothy and a little girl named robin who died of leukemia at the age of 3 in 1953. the pain of that loss was still evident years later in an interview with abc's diane sawyer. >> but he was very close. >> i was very close to her. >> she adored him. >> what was it that pulled you back up on your feet afterwards? >> he was very strong then. he was wonderful. >> reporter: george and barbara bush were married longer than any first couple in the nation's history. a love story that lasted more than 73 years. after college at yale university, bush moved to texas, became a successful oil man and won a seat in congress in 1966. then came a string of high-profile appointments serving the country in so many ways. >> now ambassador bush. >> reporter: from the united nations to envoy to china to director of the cia. >> i will put politics totally out of my sphere of activities. >> reporter: but there was one goal that remained. >>

senator he married barbara pierce. in 2001 his eldest son texas governor george walker bush became the 43rd president, the first since john quincy adams to follow his father into the white house. >> i'm now about to enter. so help me god. >> his second son jeb bush served two terms as florida governor, and ran for presidential nomination. he made a fortune in the oil business. there his future in republican politics blossomed. that one fact help bush become elected to two terms as congressman. his disappointment didn't last long. >> we view this item as so seriously we consider it a possible turning point in the history of the united nations. >> his political profile was high enough president nixon appointed him to ambassador of the united nations. president ford sent him to china to head up the u.s. liaison office as part of a initiative in u.s.-china relations. and in 1975 bush came home to become director of the cia, a job an associate said he truly loved. he left that job when carter became president and soon becam

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

just weeks later, he married barbara pierce. >> i think he's the wisest, smartest, most decent, caring person i know. >> reporter: after his graduation from yale in 1948, they moved to texas. he built an oil business, and together, they built a family. they would have six children. their first daughter died of leukemia at age three. >> it had a profound effect on me and on barbara. and i think that horrible incident drew us even closer together. what a day! >> glor: in the early 60s, bush pivoted to politics. he won two terms in the u.s. house, then served presidents nixon and ford as u.n. ambassador, envoy to china, and director of the c.i.a. in 1980, he campaigned for the g.o.p. presidential nomination, but instead became ronald reagan's vice president. eight years later, he won his party's nomination. >> i want a kinder and gentler nation. ( applause ) >> glor: waging a successful presidential campaign against democrat michael dukakis. >> i will faithfully execute... >> glor: the 41st president called for a new world order as the global scene shifted rapidly. the berlin wall fell, t

this this work, he had the most wonderful of allies in barbara pierce bush, his wife of 73 years. he called 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

. >> i was trying to keep up with barbara pierce in new york. i love you. >> i love you, too. >> their remarkable partnership spanned seven decades and their love lives on through their five children, 17 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. 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 ever kissed. >> strange, isn't it? >> still staying with your story? >> their love lasted a lifetime. >> i always felt i was the world's luckiest woman. >> their love story endures for all time. >> nobody ever had a greater, more precious family. nobody ever had a better husband. >> that was lester holt reporting. now they are together again. >> they are. a beautiful thought. the week of events honoring president bush will begin this morning. his casket will be flown to d.c. to lie in state at the u.s. capitol until wednesday ask a funeral will be held at

the great love story began at that christmas dance when george bush met barbara pierce. and, 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

. >> reporter: shortly after returning from the war he married barbara pierce. they would have six children and 17 grandchildren. >> i think he's the wisest, smartest, most decent, caring person i know. >> reporter: bush studied at yale university. he graduated phi beta kappa in just 2 1/2 years, but he left new england to make it on his own. he carved out his fortune in the wildcat oilfields of texas. in the '60s bush turned to politics. he was elected to congress in 1966 and became a power player in the republican party. in 1980 he ran unsuccessfully against ronald reagan for the gop nomination, then agreed to be reagan's running mate. he was reagan's vice president for eight years before becoming the 41st president of the united states. >> i will faithfully execute the office of president of the united states. >> reporter: during his one term in the white house bush played a key role in the reunification of germany. he also took on saddam hussain for invading kuwait launching operation desert storm, the first gulf war. >> a new world order can emerge. a new e

he had the most wonderful of he had the most wonderful of allies in barbara pierce bush, his wife of 73 years. 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 fac

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 o

. >> reporter: shortly after returning from the war he married barbara pierce. they would have six children and 17 grandchildren. >> i 's the wisest, smartest, most decent, caring person i know. >> reporter: bush studied at yale university. he graduated phi beta kappa in just 2 1/2 years, but he left new england to make it on his own. he carved out his fortune in the wildcat oilfields of texas. in the '60s bush turned to politics. he was elected to congress in 1966 and became a power player in the republican party. in 1980 he ran unsuccessfully against ronald reagan for the gop nomination, then agreed to be reagan's running mate. he was reagan's vice president for eight years before becoming the 41st president of the united states. >> i will faithfully execute the office of president of the united states. >> reporter: during his one term in the white house bush played a key role in the reunification of germany. he also took on saddam hussain for invading kuwait launching operation desert storm, the first gulf war. >> a new world order can emerge. a new era. >> r

he returned home, married his sweet heart, barbara pierce and started a family. moving to texas in 1948 to get into the oil business. they suffered the loss of daughter robin to leukemia, but raised five children. in 1964, the year he turned 40, bush got into politics running for senate. >> i certainly hope and i'll bet you do too, that our children can grow up knowing what freedom really is. >> he lost but later won a house seat and ran for senate again in 1970. this time with help from president nixon. >> and george bush in my opinion is the best man for america. >> when he lost again, nixon appointed him ambassador to the u.n. >> i consider myself a very lucky guy. >> but his next job was chairman of the republican party during water gate. >> you try being chairman of the republican party during the water gate day, you're talking about a ghastly assignment. >> bush escaped water gate unscathed and nixon's successor made him his envoy to china. just a year later an evening bigger azyme sissignment. >> cia, i loved. one year only but i loved defending the cultur

a naval aviator shot down in the pacific but rescued, he returned home where barbara pierce was waiting. their marriage would bring six children and stretch more than seven decades until her death earlier this year. >> he is the most decentdecentdt honorable, wonderful -- nobody's ever been as lucky as i've been. i want people to remember him as courageous. i want them to remember him as he is. >> reporter: her wish coming true as americans and lawmakers from both parties put a pause on their differences to celebrate the last president from the greatest generation. the former president's remains will stay in the rotunda until his state funeral on wednesday. at that service at the national cathedral every living president will attend. he will then return to houston for another service there before being laid to rest next to his wife and daughter. in washington, emily rau, abc news. now back to you. >> emily, thank you. and that's quite a sight to see. again, our thanks to emily. >>> many secret service agents are sharing their stories of president bush. they say he was so considerate tha

he married barbara pierce who would stand by his side for more than be seven decades. she was with him as he got his degree at yale where he was captain of the baseball team. after that they moved into texas and george bush got into the oil business. they had six children but in 19353 lost three-year-old daughter robin to leukemia. in 19 of 6 george bush made his way to washington as a congressman and would become ambassador to the united stated nation, chairman of the republican national committee, envoy to china and head of the cia. his sites were set on a greater role. i accept your nomination for president. >> reporter: but soon bush through his support behind ronald reagan and became his running mate. he served two terms as president reagan's ent and then turn. >> for seven and a after years i've worked for president. i've seen what big desk and who should sit at that desk. my friend, i am that man. >> reporter: america agreed and in 1988, george herbert walker bush became the 41st president of the united states. >> so help me god. >> congratulations! >> reporter:

no doubt which he all.ed most of a great love story began at that christmas pastrg when g bush met barbara pierce and 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 ballgame