Gallery • 12 Photos

Ty Hoskins

The Bush 4141 Train arrives In College Station.

COLLEGE STATION- Texas A&M University was host to hundreds of people who gathered together Dec. 6 to pay their respects to former President George HW Bush as a train carrying his casket approached its final destination.

The day was cold, the sky dark, rain steadily fell from the sky, it was as if heaven and it all its denizens wept over the loss the former President who died in Houston, Texas, Nov. 30 at the age of 94.

The attendees lined the roads of Wellborn Road and George Bush Drive and eagerly waited for Locomotive 4141, a train specifically made for this day, which would deliver the late George HW Bush to his final resting place at the George Bush Library and Museum.

There was somewhat of quietness that swept across all those who attended when locomotive 4141 light became visible. As it passed some stood and waved their flag, some cried, and others just watched as this historical moment occurred.

It wasn’t just a time of mourning, it was a time of remembrance of a great leader, a man who has done so much for the United States and its citizens, there are many different memories that President HW Bush gave to us, from his accomplishments and his exceptional character.

“I was at a funeral of his former business partner John Overbey in Austin, who’s a friend of mine, a fishing buddy, so I stood within a few feet of President Bush and the first lady, this was long after being out of office” attendee Randolph Beck said. So I was very close to him and it was very interesting to observe him. I was very impressed that he would come and be there at the mass and the burial of his friend.”

 Beck was not the only one that attended the procession who had a memory of being in the presence of our former commander in chief.

“Personally, the best memory was when we were visiting the George Bush Museum, him and Barbara were there,” attendee Derrick Moore said. “It seemed like you were just visiting with a friend, I thought that was a really neat time for us.”

While some remembered getting to experience seeing President H.W. Bush in person, others made a list of what they remembered best about his character.

“His loyalty, his kindness, he had a great sense of humor, very down to earth, he was a very honest man, very traditional, polite, and firm,” attendee Barry Salter and his family said.

Others remembered his heroic actions, accomplishments and how he risked his life during World War II.

“The thing that I remember most is his heroic story of what he did in World War II, I think that is pretty impressive to get shot down to complete a successful bombing run on Japan and land in the ocean with his parachute then get saved by a U.S submarine, and they have the actual video on footage.” attendee Lieutenant Gabe Terrell said, “That’s a pretty amazing story and he goes onto be president, I’ll never forget that story I think that’s awesome.”

Lt. Terrell said the best thing about George H.W. Bush was his loyalty.

“His love of country, his love of service, his love for his family. I think he’s an incredible example of what it meant to be a servant and he was defiantly one of the greatest servants to our country for sure. Being in the Navy it was my great privilege to serve on the U.S.S George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier, I really enjoyed getting to do that deployment,” Terrell said.

Some of those who attended the procession left after the train stopped, but many stayed to watch the fly over by U.S. Navy jets that occurred once President Bush made it to his final destination.

On Dec. 8,  the George Bush Library and Museum opened its doors for free in honor of President H.W. Bush allowing visitors to go visit the resting place of the former president, his wife Barbara Bush, and his daughter Robin Bush. Many people came to pay their final respects to the former President, patiently waiting their turn to view the burial site. Visitors prayed for the Bush family, leaving flowers and other trinkets, everyone saying their final goodbyes to a man who has lived a life of service serving the country and citizens he loved. His legacy will continue to live on in the history books, through stories, and through his family.