Remembering President Bush

In July 1990, I was an Ensign reporting aboard my first ship, although technically it was not officially a ship yet. The USS GEORGE WASHINGTON was under construction in Newport News, VA. One of the many important events in a ship’s life is its Christening- the official launching of the ship into the water. The GEORGE WASHINGTON was to be Christened on July 21st. As a one of the ship’s officers I was able to attend and experience not only this ceremonial naval custom, but also an important chapter in the ship’s history.

Nautical Customs require a new ship to have a sponsor - for the US Navy, the Secretary of the Navy names a lady who is either related to the ship’s namesake or connected to the ship’s mission. Since her husband was a former Navy aviator and the current Commander in Chief, First Lady Barabara Bush was named the ship’s sponsor - an honor she held for the remainder of her life. During the ceremony, she would “launch” the ship with the ceremonial breaking of a bottle of champagne on the ship’s bow.

Both the President and the First Lady attended the ceremony and President Bush provided the keynote address. I was fortunate to be able to sit in the main seating area a few rows behind the President and was honored to be able to have the rare opportunity to hear a sitting President speak to a ship’s crew (above photo). He spoke about the important role that the US Navy has in projecting America’s strength abroad. I had voted for George Bush and was proud to have him as my Commander in Chief.

Unfortunately, the President and First Lady could not attend the reception that followed, but his presence was felt and discussed over cocktails and hors’devours.

Less than two weeks later, President Bush would be addressing the Nation about the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and a few months later he would lead multi-national coalition forces in what was called Desert Storm

As the nation mourns President Bush’s death, there will be talk of his legacy. For sure, he will be remembered as a successful wartime President. Many will speak of his accomplishments and some will talk of his failings. All good leaders have both and President Bush was no different. Of all the presidents in my lifetime, I have always admired George Bush as a person who espoused great leadership despite not always agreeing with him on policy. He made tough decisions that leaders have to do - decisions that were not always popular or within his political party’s mandate. He made them because they were the right thing to do based on the situation. A leader could do no better than that.

Perhaps one of his best leadership qualities came to light not during his Presidency, but many years later during an interview by his granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager in which she asked him what he thought his legacy would be. His response was that of a true leader:

“I’ve kind of banned the use of the ‘l’ word, legacy word. I think history will get it right, point out the things I did wrong and perhaps some of the things we did right.“

A true leader takes the blame for mistakes that were made “point out the things I did wrong”

And shares the praise for the successes “some of the things we did right”

Rest In Peace Mr. President

Fair Winds and Following Seas