Schools to honor former President

Schools to honor former President George H.W. Bush during National Day of Mourning

WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla Public Schools will honor former President George H.W. Bush Wednesday at all schools with student announcements and discussions as part of National Day of Mourning activities.

George H.W. Bush was born on June 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts. On his 18th birthday, Bush enlisted in the U.S. Navy, becoming the youngest pilot in the Navy during World War II. He served as a combat pilot in the war, flying carrier-based torpedo bomber aircraft and a total of 58 combat missions. He had a brush with death when his plane was hit during a bombing run in the Pacific. After managing to escape the burning aircraft, he was quickly rescued by a U.S. Navy submarine. Bush was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his WWII service.

After the war, Bush attended Yale University, where he graduated with a degree in economics in 1948. He later moved to Midland, Texas, where he found success in the oil and petroleum industry. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1966. He served as Ronald Reagan's vice president for two terms and then won the 1988 U.S. presidential race, before losing his bid for a second term to Bill Clinton.

The former president will be given a state funeral Wednesday at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. After the ceremony, his body will be moved to Texas, where he will be buried at his presidential library. Mr. Bush died on Friday evening at the age of 94.

SOURCE: https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-H-W-Bush