Houston

Bush Remembered as ‘Faithful Servant' in Houston, College Station

George H.W. Bush will be buried at his presidential library in College Station

From President George H.W. Bush's hometown of Houston to his presidential library in College Station, people remembered the statesman as a humble and dedicated public servant.

At a larger-than-life bronze statue of the 41st president near downtown Houston, citizens stopped by Saturday to remember Bush.

"It's a great loss because he's such a hero to so many of us," said Baiba Kurins Gillard, a native of Latvia who now lives in Houston.

At the Bush Presidential Library on the campus of Texas A&M University, people gathered within hours of the former president's death for an early morning vigil.

Flags were flying at half-staff.

Meg Overstake and her three sons visited from Houston.

They signed their names in tribute.

"These are called condolence books," she explained to her 6-year-old son Rowan. "When someone dies, you sign your name that you feel bad."

The Bush gravesite is behind the library at the end of a wooded path.

The former president will be buried next to his wife Barbara and their daughter Robin, who died at the age of 3 of leukemia.

"And then the fact he has such a good relationship with the Obamas and I was very proud of that with Obama being the first black president," said Leticia Taylor Robinson of Plano, who visited with her 17-year-old son. "I thought he was a classy guy."

Everyone had their own memories.

Rachel Story is from Nashville.

"I remember the dogs, his wife and the pearls, and you know, he was -- seemed like a good, fair man."

In Houston, there were more people, and more flowers, outside the gates to the Bush's longtime home.

Not far away, services for Bush will be held on Thursday at St. Martins Episcopal Church -- the same church where services for Barbara Bush were held in April.

At the downtown statue, someone placed a card with a message that summed up the feelings of so many: "Well done good and faithful servant."

Saturday, the office of former President Bush released the schedule of his state funeral and related services.

Monday: Arrival at Joint Base Andrews

Bush's remains will arrive at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland about 3:30 p.m. Monday, where there will be a brief arrival ceremony.

Monday - Wednesday: U.S. Capitol Ceremony and Lying in State

Another arrival ceremony will take place at the U.S. Capitol about 4:45 p.m.

Following a short service, Bush's remains will lie in state in the rotunda of the Capitol from 7:30 p.m. Monday until 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday.

The public can begin lining up Monday afternoon on First Street NE/SE between Constitution and Independence avenues or 2nd Street NE/SE between East Capitol Street and Independence Avenue SE before the viewing opens at 7:30 p.m., according to U.S. Capitol Police.

Public viewing will continue through Tuesday and end at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

Bush's body will depart the Capitol at 10 a.m. Wednesday and there will be a service at the Washington National Cathedral in Northwest D.C. beginning at 11 a.m., which President Donald Trump said he would attend.

A departure ceremony is expected to follow the service at about 12:30 p.m. before Bush's remains are flown from Joint Base Andrews to Houston, Texas, for final services.

Upon arrival, Bush's remains will return to Texas Wednesday afternoon and lie in repose at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston.

Thursday: Funeral at St. Martin's Episcopal Church

The funeral will begin at 10 a.m. at the church, which is not far from Bush's Houston residence. It is the same church where former first lady Barbara Bush's funeral was held in April.

Following the funeral, Bush's remains will depart Houston via train for Texas A&M University in College Station. There, he will be buried at his presidential library next to his late wife, Barbara.

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