Former President George W. Bush and his wife, former First Lady Laura Bush, returned to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda to once again pay their respects to the late President George H.W. Bush and to greet well-wishers and mourners from the public.
The 43rd President solemnly approached his father’s casket and placed his hand on the flag-draped coffin while the former First Lady stood by his side and gripped his arm.
He then walked toward the assembled crowd of mourners and visitors and began to shake hands and take pictures.
Bush then continued shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with others in the Rotunda gallery.
Former President George W. Bush and his wife, former First Lady Laura Bush, returned to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda to once again pay their respects to the late President George H.W. Bush and to greet well-wishers and mourners from the public
Bush and his wife then turned to the crowd of mourners who came to pay their respects and greeted them
Bush was smiling and at ease with the assembled crowd which is believed to have included former aides and staffers during his administration
Bush is seen above posing for a picture with an unidentified mourner in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday night
Bush then continued greeting well-wishers one by one, shaking hands and exchanging words to those who came to pay their respects to his father
George H.W. Bush’s service dog Sully was among the dozens who gathered to pay their respects to the late president as his casket lies in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday.
The yellow Labrador was cast into the spotlight after he was seen lying by his late owner’s American flag-covered casket in a photograph that went viral over the weekend as the nation mourns the passing of its 41st president.
The casket is now lying in state at the US Capitol before it will be transported to the Washington National Cathedral for a memorial service on Wednesday.
A steady stream of thousands of visitors – including President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania – flowed through the rotunda on Tuesday.
Dressed in an American Flag therapy vest, Sully was escorted into the rotunda by a woman who stood by the dog’s side as cameras clicked away.
In attendance were a number of veterans, many of them in wheelchairs, and current military personnel standing at attention.
George H.W. Bush’s service dog Sully paid a visit to his late owner’s casket in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday morning as dozens gathered to pay their respects to the late president, who will lie in state until Wednesday morning
The yellow Labrador gifted to Bush in June wore an American flag-themed service animal vest while visiting the Capitol
Sully laid patiently in front of the flag-draped casket as dozens of mourners looked on during the somber occasion
Also attending the rotunda gathering was the late president’s son Neil Bush (center)
Neil Bush appeared to be fighting to keep his composure as he placed a hand on the casket of his late father
Among the visitors was former Senator Bob Dole, 95, who stood up from his wheelchair to salute Bush’s casket
Cindy McCain, the widow of the late Sen. John McCain, stopped by to pay her respects.
It’s believed to be her first visit to the Capitol Rotunda since her husband laid in state under its Dome in September.
McCain stood before the flag-draped casket, her head bowed, for a few moments.
Dressed in black with a single strand of pearls, the wife of the late senator’s eyes were teary but she held her composure before the crowd of people visiting the late president’s remains.
Before she left, she kissed her hand, walked to the coffin and touched it.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell escorted her from the rotunda.
Cindy McCain, the widow of the late Sen. John McCain, stopped by the Capitol Rotunda to pay her respects to the 41st president
It’s believed to be Cindy McCain’s first visit to the Capitol Rotunda since her husband laid in state under its Dome in September
Billy Bush – the nephew of George H.W. – gazes at his uncle’s casket alongside members of his own family
Former NFL football quarterback Peyton Manning walks out of the Capitol Rotunda after viewing Bush’s casket
Professional golfer Hale Irwin, Peyton Manning, PGA golfer Phil Mickelson, and Duke head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski are seen (left to right) paying their respects to the late president on Tuesday afternoon
The casket sitting in the center of the Capitol Rotunda is seen from above as visitors circulated around it
The CIA also honored its old boss, the only spy chief to become president, with visits the rotunda Tuesday, joining members of the public who had lined up before dawn to pay respects to the 41st president.
CIA Director Gina Haspel and former directors John Brennan and George Tenet visited Bush’s casket, as did Colin Powell, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when Bush assembled the coalition that rescued Kuwait from Iraq’s invasion in the Gulf War.
Kuwait’s Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, also arrived to pay respects to the former US president.
Members of the Bush family who attended the viewing on Tuesday included the president’s son Neil and his wife along with the president’s nephew Billy Bush and his family.
Journalists Brett Baier and Chris Matthews arrived in the afternoon shortly before famed NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, PGA golfer Phil Mickelson, Duke head basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski and professional golfer Hale Irwin.
Thousands lined up to pass through the Capitol Rotunda and pay their respects to the 41st president on Tuesday
Sully, who was cast into the spotlight when a photo of him lying by his late owner’s casket went viral over the weekend, drew the attention of photographers as he waltzed into the rotunda
Sully visited with many of the veterans who had gathered to pay their respects to Bush, who was a key advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act and himself a World War II veteran
Bush will lie in state until Wednesday, when his casket is brought to Washington National Cathedral for a memorial service
The pup wore a mournful look on his face at the somber scene, though witnesses around Washington, DC, say Sully has been cheerful during his visit to the capital
As he came into the room, Sully looked up at a photographer crouching on the ground to capture the pup’s entrance
Former CIA directors George Tenet (left) and John Brennan (center) pause alongside current director Gina Haspel (right)
Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell (center) and US military Operation Desert Storm Commanders salute the casket
Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stands over the casket with a serious expression on her face
Neil Bush (center in a red tie), his wife Maria Bush, center left, and members of his family greet visitors inside the rotunda
The late president’s brother Jonathan Bush and his son Jonathan S Bush approach the casket during the emotional affair
Billy Bush appeared to wipe a tear from his eye as he exited the room filled with people mourning Bush’s passing
Former personal aides to the 41st president are seen entering the rotunda to visit their late boss on Tuesday afternoon
An aide wheeled former Senator Dole up to the casket, where the 95-year-old received assistance in standing up to salute
Kuwait’s Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (center) arrives to pay respects to the former US president, who was in office during the Gulf War that freed Kuwait from Iraq
Republican Representative of North Carolina Patrick McHenry and his daughter Cecelia pause in front of the casket
Journalists Chris Matthews and Brett Baier are seen behind the velvet rope surrounding the casket on Tuesday afternoon
President Trump’s former press secretary Sean Spicer was photographed inside the rotunda on Tuesday afternoon
Hale Irwin, Peyton Manning, Phil Mickelson and Mike Krzyzewski lower their heads in respect for the late president
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus (left) golfer Fred Couples (second from right) and sportscaster Jim Nantz (right) after pictured with other members of the sporting community who came to pay their respects to 41 on Tuesday
After services in Washington, Bush will be returned to Houston to lie in repose at St Martin’s Episcopal Church before being buried Thursday at his family plot on the grounds of his presidential library.
His final resting place will be alongside Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years who died in April, and Robin Bush, the daughter they lost to leukemia in 1953 at age three.
Trump has ordered the federal government closed Wednesday for a national day of mourning. Flags on public buildings are flying at half-staff for 30 days.
Bush’s passing puts him in the Washington spotlight after more than two decades living the relatively low-key life of a former president. His death also reduces membership in the ex-presidents’ club to four: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
A woman chokes back tears while admiring the casket during the emotional proceedings on Tuesday in Washington, DC
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, center, leads Desert Storm Commanders to pay their respect on Tuesday
Retired U.S. Army General Barry McCaffrey (left) and former Secretary of State Colin Powell bow their heads over the casket
Two members of the military stands watch over the American flag-draped casket of as Bush lies in state on Tuesday
Service members perform a changing of the guard in front of the casket midday on Tuesday
Former president George W Bush and wife Laura choke back tears as they walk past the casket on Monday
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania are seen standing over the casket on Monday after it arrived in Washington
After leaving the rotunda, Sully took a moment to pose with fans in Statuary Hall, including Former United States Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge (pictured)
Sully – named after the heroic pilot who successfully landed a damaged passenger jet on the Hudson River which saved the lives of 155 people in 2009 – was gifted to Bush by nonprofit organization America’s VetDogs in June after the passing of former First Lady Barbara Bush.
The president had a form of Parkinson’s disease, and Sully could open doors, pick up items and summon help.
The beloved pup accompanied Bush’s remains aboard Air Force One as they were transported from Houston to the capital on Sunday.
The heartbreaking viral image of Sully lying next to the 41st president’s coffin in Houston on Sunday is pictured above
Bush’s official Twitter account posted an image of Sully and former President, Bill Clinton, on June 25 after Sully’s arrival. The tweet read: ‘A great joy to welcome home the newest member of our family, “Sully,” a beautiful – and beautifully trained – lab from America’s VetDogs’
Sully will soon go back to work alongside two other service dogs helping wounded military personnel at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, DC.
He will assist with physical and occupational therapy to wounded soldiers and active duty personnel – a tribute to his late owner Bush – a decorated World War II veteran.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family during this difficult time,’ said John Miller, President and CEO of America’s VetDogs.
‘It was truly an honor to have provided service dog Sully to be by the president’s side for the past several months.
‘As a true patriot and a visionary, President Bush will forever be viewed by people with disabilities and their families as a hero through his efforts to enact the Americans with Disabilities Act.
‘We are forever grateful to his service to the American people.’
GEORGE H.W. BUSH’S SERVICE DOG, SULLY, CAN PERFORM TWO-PAGE LIST OF COMMANDS
Sully is seen above with the former President in this undated image posted on social media
Sully, George H.W. Bush’s yellow Labrador service dog, is not done doing his duty for his country.
The loyal canine, who was photographed mournfully lying beside his friend’s casket in Houston on Sunday, will accompany him on the plane to Washington, D.C., on Monday, CNN is reporting.
Sully was named, appropriately enough, after Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III, the heroic pilot who successfully landed a damaged passenger jet on the Hudson River which saved the lives of 155 people in 2009.
He is a specially trained dog who is capable of following a lengthy list of commands, including answering the phone and fetching items.
‘As one person said, he can do just about anything except make you a martini, but not to worry, he can go get you someone to make you a martini,’ Bush family spokesperson Jim McGrath told CNN.
The Bush family has grown especially close to the dog, as evidenced by an Instagram post by former President George W. Bush.
‘As much as our family is going to miss the dog, we’re comforted to know he’ll bring the same joy to his new home, Walter Reed, that he brought to 41,’ the 43rd President wrote on Instagram.
The post was shared by the dog’s Instagram account, ‘sullyhwbush.’
Sully was given to the elder Bush by America’s VetDogs, a New York-based nonprofit group which provides service dogs to veterans in need.
After news broke of Bush’s passing on Saturday, America’s VetDogs tweeted a statement, saying: ‘America’s VetDogs is deeply saddened by the loss of President George H.W. Bush.
‘Our condolences go out to the Bush family at this time.’
After news broke of Bush’s passing on Saturday, America’s VetDogs tweeted a statement, saying: ‘America’s VetDogs is deeply saddened by the loss of President George H.W. Bush. Our condolences go out to the Bush family at this time.’ The tweet was attached to an image showing Bush being pushed in a wheelchair while holding a leash as Sully walks beside him
Sully (seen above in this undated file photo posted to Instagram) will continue his service to America after the death of the 41st President
America’s VetDogs, an organization which pairs specially trained service dogs with wounded veterans, will return Sully to its Smithtown, New York headquarters, where he will stay for the holiday season
He is then expected to be transferred to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Facility Dog Program in Bethesda, where canines help wounded veterans as they undergo physical and occupational therapy
The tweet was attached to an image showing Bush being pushed in a wheelchair while holding a leash as Sully walks beside him.
America’s VetDogs told KTRK-TV that Sully will return to its Smithtown, New York headquarters, where he will stay for the holiday season.
He is then expected to be transferred to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Facility Dog Program in Bethesda, where canines help wounded veterans as they undergo physical and occupational therapy.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family during this difficult time,’ said John Miller, President and CEO of America’s VetDogs.
‘It was truly an honor to have provided service dog Sully to be by the president’s side for the past several months.
‘As a true patriot and a visionary, President Bush will forever be viewed by people with disabilities and their families as a hero through his efforts to enact the Americans with Disabilities Act.
‘We are forever grateful to his service to the American people.’