The Millstone Times February 2019

KIDS & CAMP

Remembering 41 By Max Druckman

Host your next birthday at Cherry Grove Farm!

On the morning of December 1, 2018, Americans nationwide awoke to the sad news that our nation’s 41st President, George H.W. Bush, had died at the age of 94. Bush was known not just as a President, but as a valiant World War II hero, a Vice President, a loving father, devoted husband, and for his unwavering commitment to being a public servant. He will truly be missed. George Herbert Walker Bush was born on June 12, 1924, in Milton, Mas- sachusetts to Dorothy and Prescott Bush. Even though his family was wealthy, community service was instilled in George from an early age. As a teenager, Bush attended boarding school in Andover, Massachusetts. After he graduated on his 18th birthday, Bush enlisted in the United States Navy to fight World War II. He served from 1942-1945 and when he became a pilot in 1943, he was the youngest in the entire Navy. Bush flew torpedo bombers and went on 58 missions on the Pacific front. Bush’s most prom- inent mission of the war was on September 2, 1944. While flying, Bush’s aircraft was shot down by the Japanese and he plummeted towards the ocean. He bailed out over the water and was later rescued. He received an award for his efforts. After returning from the war, Bush married longtime girlfriend Barbara Pierce in 1945. Additionally, he enrolled at Yale University. Bush thrived at Yale, graduating in three years and becoming captain of the baseball team. After graduating, Bush moved his family to Midland, Texas in order to make a boom in the oil industry. He did just that and had six chil- dren with Barbara along the way; George, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Dorothy, and Robin (who died at the age of 3 due to Leukemia). George would end up becoming the 43rd President of the U.S. and Jeb would become Governor of Florida. Bush’s first footsteps into politics began when he became the

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Republican Party chairman in Texas’ Harris County. In 1964, he campaigned for a spot on the Senate against the then incumbent Ralph Yarborough. Bush lost the election. However, he didn’t give up his political dream. He won a seat on the House of Representatives in 1966 and was re-elected in 1968. He ran again for the Senate in 1970, but this time lost out to Lloyd Bentsen. That same year, President Richard Nixon appointed Bush as the US’s ambassador to the United Nations. He held the post until 1973 when he became the leader of the Republican National Committee. He was the leader until 1974 when he became director of the CIA. In 1979, Bush returned to Texas to run for the Presidency. Bush was a finalist for the Republican ticket but ultimately lost out to Ronald Reagan. Reagan chose Bush as his running mate and after a hard-fought cam- paign, Reagan won the election, making Bush America’s Vice-President. As Vice-President, Bush established close ties in Washington and handled some very important issues. He handled parts of foreign affairs and the war on drugs. In 1988, he ran for the Presidency again. This time he defeated Michael Dukakis to win the White House. As Commander-In-Chief, Bush succeeded mightily on the foreign policy front. He oversaw the fall of the Soviet Union and the reunification of Germany. He became well-liked all over America for his good-natured personality. Also, he ordered the military strikes that defeated Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. However, economic and tax difficulties led to him lose to Bill Clinton in his 1992 bid for re-election. Following him losing the election, Bush returned to Texas where he contributed lots to many charities. In 2004 he and Bill Clinton raised funds for tsu- nami victims in Asia. He displayed generosity and kindness to all. He remained relevant through his two sons being prominent members of the national political spectrum. In addition, George H. W. and George W. became only the second father-son President pair in history. To showcase his adventurous spirit, Bush skydove for his 80th, 85th, and 90th birthdays. In 2017, the love of his life Barbara died after being married to George for 73 years. Months

later, the great 41 peacefully passed on November 30, 2018. When he died, the entire nation mourned a great man. Overall, Bush’s perseverance despite losses and kind ways made him revered and acclaimed by many. He always remained humble and helped others in any way possible. His political accomplishments helped him to go down as a valiant public servant. His role as a loving and brilliant father, grandfather, and great-grandfather made him cherished by the people whom he regarded as most important; his family. His noble and altruistic ways captivated a country. He was a true hero until the end.

Sources: https://millercenter.org/president/bush/life-after-the-presidency https://www.biography.com/people/george-hw-bush-38066 https://millercenter.org/president/bush/life-before-the-presidency

Max Druckman

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