Former President George H.W. Bush state funeral
They shared a total of 22 years spent living in the White House – and a wooden pew in the National Cathedral for the memorial service of George HW Bush.
It’s not often that so many commanders-in-chief, present and past, are gathered in one place.
Usually at the funerals of presidents or the opening of presidential libraries.
At the state funeral of the 41st president of the United States in Washington on Wednesday, there were four together in the front row.
When George W Bush arrived and took his place on the other side of the nave, he brought that total to five, and their total years of service running the country to 30.
The significance of the moment was not lost on some.
And let’s not forget the vice-presidents gathered too.
Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer noted that every living VP since 1977 was present.
The handshakes and non-handshakes
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania were the last to arrive. As they took their places at the front pew, they shook hands with the Obamas next to them.
Oh, to know what was going through Michelle Obama’s mind as she politely but stiffly greeted Mr Trump.
She recently said in an interview that the birther conspiracy theory pushed by him – falsely claiming Barack Obama was not born in the US – was something she would never forgive him for.
There was no public handshake between Hillary Clinton, who was sat on the other side of the Obamas, and Donald Trump.
The 2016 election campaign was marked by acrimony between candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, with the Republican calling for her imprisonment over her use of a private email server.
“Lock her up” became a chant at Trump rallies during the campaign and his presidency.
But First Lady Melania Trump shook Bill Clinton’s hand and gave a wave to Mrs Clinton, who nodded her appreciation.
Then along comes another president
George W Bush arrived and shook hands with each of the occupants in the front row.
He seemed to slip something to Michelle Obama – perhaps another sweet, as he did at the memorial service of John McCain.
All thought of bad blood between the Trumps and Bushes was forgotten for this occasion, which amounted to a celebration of a president, father and war hero.
Donald Trump has in the past mocked “low energy” Jeb Bush and derided the presidency of George W Bush.
But this week he has been fulsome in his praise for Bush the elder, and sent one of his iconic presidential jets to deliver the casket from Texas.
George HW Bush himself reportedly wanted the the current occupant of the White House – excluded from the memorial service of Senator John McCain – to be present.
